Butch Allison

Buford Needham "Butch" Allison (October 29, 1944 – April 2, 2010) was an American professional football player who was an offensive lineman for the Baltimore Colts and New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL) and the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Missouri Tigers. Allison was selected in both the seventh round of the 1966 AFL draft by the Oakland Raiders and the second round of the 1966 NFL draft by the Baltimore Colts, who he played the 1966 NFL season with. He played for both the New Orleans Saints and Edmonton Eskimos in 1967.

Early career

Allison played high school football at Parkview High School as a right tackle. As a senior in 1961, he was selected to the All-Ozark county team and designated as an All-American. The Tigers won the 1966 Sugar Bowl against the Florida Gators during Allison's senior year.

Professional career

Allison was drafted in both the National Football League and the American Football League in 1966. The Baltimore Colts of the National Football League selected Allison in the second round of the 1966 NFL draft with the 31st overall pick. The Oakland Raiders of the American Football League also selected Allison in the seventh round of the 1966 AFL draft with the 57th overall pick. Allison signed with the Colts and played for the team through the preseason. He was released by the Colts in September 1966, remaining with the team as a practice squad player.

Before the 1967 season, the Colts traded Allison to the New Orleans Saints as part of a deal that also sent quarterback Gary Cuozzo to the Saints in exchange for a 1967 first round pick (#1-Bubba Smith), a 1967 third round pick (#54-Norman Davis), a 1969 seventh round pick (#163-Gary Fleming) and center Bill Curry. He later signed with the San Diego Chargers of the American Football League.

Later in life, Butch Allison made a career in sports printing. Along with his second wife, Mary Ann (née Azar), he also managed the West End Galleries and the Clarksville Antique Mall.

Death

Allison died on April 2, 2010, in St. Louis, Missouri.