Toussaint Tyler

Who is Toussaint Tyler?

Toussaint L'Ouverture Tyler is a former running back in the National Football League. He played with New Orleans Saints in 1981 and 1982.

Born in Barstow, California, Tyler moved to Oceanside, California where he starred as halfback at El Camino High School. After receiving a number of awards following his senior season, he was recruited to the University of Washington. With the Washington Huskies, he played mainly as a fullback. The Huskies won the 1978 Rose Bowl his freshman year, and he started for the first time in a game the following season. The back took a larger role in his junior year as the team went 10–2 and won a bowl game.

Early in Tyler's final year at Washington, injuries to the Huskies' halfbacks prompted head coach Don James to move him there from fullback. Washington finished 8–2 in the regular season, earning them a trip to the 1981 Rose Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines. With the score tied at zero in the first quarter, Tyler fumbled at the one-yard line; Michigan went on to win the game 23–6. The running back was drafted 222nd overall by the New Orleans Saints in the 1981 NFL Draft.