Andy Dorris

Andy Dorris (born August 11, 1951) is an American former professional football player. He was born in Bellaire, Ohio and attended college at New Mexico State University. Dorris played in the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons. He spent most of his professional career with the New Orleans Saints and the Houston Oilers. He initially signed a three-year contract with the team. He played in four games for St. Louis in his first season as a professional.

Dorris spent three full seasons with the Saints. Bartkowski left the game with a knee injury. Dorris played four games for the Seahawks. As a free agent, Dorris participated in tryouts for two teams, but he was rejected both times.

In November 1977, the Houston Oilers' Elvin Bethea broke his arm during a game. Coach "Bum" Philips replaced him with Andy Dorris. In Houston, Dorris was part of a team that came to be known as "Bum's boys." Under Bum's relaxed leadership style, Dorris bulked up and became a formidable defensive lineman. He recorded three sacks in a December matchup against the Denver Broncos. Dorris signed a new contract with the Oilers in 1980.

1979 and 1980 were two of the most successful seasons for the Houston Oilers franchise. In both seasons, the team finished the season with 11 wins and 5 losses but failed to make the Super Bowl.

Dorris was known as a locker-room prankster. He and a teammate once put blue dye in a shower head, turning a teammate's skin blue.

Houston placed Dorris on the injured reserve list at the beginning of the 1982 season, but he had already played his last game as a professional.

Dorris also had a pet lion cub.

Later career Dorris works as a sales representative for Thompson Pipe Group in Dallas, TX.

Awards and recognition In his last year at New Mexico State, Dorris was named outstanding senior athlete. Conference officials selected Andy Dorris as one of the 14 players representing the decade of the 1970s.

Dorris attended a New Mexico State Aggies football reunion in April 2012. The event consisted of a gathering of former players on Friday, April 27.

Personal life Dorris and his wife, Mary, have three children: Meredith, Sam, and Zach. He has nine grandchildren.