Alfred Haywood

Alfred Haywood (born August 6, 1948) is an American former professional football player who was a running back for one season in the National Football League (NFL) with the Denver Broncos. He played college football for the Bethune–Cookman Wildcats. He also played professionally for two seasons in the World Football League (WFL) as a member of the Jacksonville Sharks and Jacksonville Express.

Early life and education Born in Jacksonville, Florida, on August 6, 1948, Haywood attended high school at Matthew W. Gilbert, becoming one of three Gilbert attendees to play professionally. A two-sport star in baseball and football, he was offered professional baseball contracts from the Boston Braves and St. Louis Cardinals upon graduating high school. He opted to attend college, going to Bethune–Cookman University, serving as running back and kicker for their football team while playing catcher and slugger for their baseball team. saying "baseball was always my first love, even in high school. This was a very hard decision, because football is very much a part of me but baseball is in my heart."

In 1974, after being out of football for two seasons, Haywood was signed to play for the Jacksonville Sharks of the newly formed World Football League (WFL). With the Sharks, he appeared in three games as a halfback, recording 20 rushes for 111 yards and 35 receiving yards on 7 receptions. He scored two touchdowns and also recorded one 1-point conversion.

When the Sharks folded in 1975, he joined the Jacksonville Express. He was their starting running back/fullback, appearing in 11 games. In a game against the San Antonio Wings, Haywood scored a game-winning 15-yard touchdown in overtime to win, 26–19. In a game vs. the Shreveport Steamer, he recorded over 120 yards to help his team win, 22–15. He finished the season with 131 rushes for 687 yards and 4 scores. As a receiver he scored two touchdowns on 12 receptions for 131 yards, with a long of 37. The signing was announced on November 11. To make room on the roster, the Broncos released rookie linebacker Mike Lemon. Though scheduled to appear in their game against the San Diego Chargers, Haywood would not appear in a game until December 14, in a 25–10 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. He would play in one other game, a 13–14 loss against the Miami Dolphins the next week. He recorded no statistics in his two games. In August 1976, he was released. A year later he was signed by the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL), but retired in June.