Don Floyd

Who was Don Floyd?

Donald Wayne Floyd was a professional American football defensive end who played in the American Football League. Born in Abilene, Texas, He played his high school football in Midlothian, Texas, for the Midlothian Panthers. Midlothian named a stadium in his honor, but built a new one. Now Don Floyd stadium is used primarily as a practice field, which brought much criticism from Midlothian citizens. The wiry defensive end earned All America honors at Texas Christian University and stayed in Texas for his professional career. He was a draft choice of the AFL's Houston Oilers in 1960, the league's first year, and was selected as a defensive end on the American Football League All-League team in 1961 and 1962, and an AFL Eastern Division All-Star in 1963. In the early 1960s, Floyd was among the best, using a combination of strength and speed to establish a presence to be accounted for by the opposition on every play.

He played in four American Football League Championships, helping the Oilers win the league's first two titles in 1960 and 1961. Don Floyd is on the Oilers' All-Time Team.

Don Floyd died of a heart attack on March 9, 1980, while traveling through Raymondville on his way to Houston.