Jerry Overton

Jerry Lee Overton (born January 24, 1941) is an American former professional football player who was a safety for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Utah Utes.

Early life Overton attended Mar Vista High School in Imperial Beach, California, where he was an all-Avocado League selection in three sports: football, basketball, and track and field. He was the 1958 Avocado League player of the year in football and was the senior class president. He accepted a football scholarship from the University of Utah. As a sophomore, he registered 10 receptions (second on the team) for 193 yards (third on the team), a 19.3-yard average (second on the team), 2 receiving touchdowns (tied for the team lead) and 30 carries for 119 yards.

As a junior, he tallied 7 receptions (third on the team) for 80 yards (third on the team), one receiving touchdown, 27 carries for 158 yards (5.9-yard average) and 2 rushing touchdowns. He ranked 18th in the nation in kickoff returns, with a 30-yard average.

As a senior, he was limited with injuries, posting 18 receptions for 190 yards, one receiving touchdown and 36 carries for 182 yards (5.1-yard average). He was selected to play in the 1963 Senior Bowl.

Professional career Overton was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 15th round (202nd overall) of the 1963 NFL draft. As a rookie, he was tried at flanker, before being moved to safety. In 1964, he was placed on the injured reserve list with a broken leg he suffered in a skiing accident . He couldn't recover his previous form and was released on August 13, 1965.

Personal life In 1961, Overton married Diane Carol Chase, a Casper, Wyoming, native and fellow sophomore at the University of Utah.