| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | May 8, 1924 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died: | July 3, 2013 (aged 89) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Weight: | 195 lb (88 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Jesuit (New Orleans, Louisiana) |
| College: | LSU |
| Position: | Halfback |
| NFL draft: | 1948 / round: 8 / pick: 57 |
| Career history | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Rayford Jerald Coates (May 8, 1924 – July 3, 2013) was a professional American football player. He played two seasons in the National Football League (NFL) as a halfback for the New York Giants. He attended Louisiana State University, where he played college football for the LSU Tigers football team.[1] He was MVP of the 1947 Cotton Bowl. He was also a member of LSU's 1946 SEC championship baseball team. For five decades he held the LSU record for longest punt, at 76-yards against Rice in 1944.[2]
He scored four touchdowns in his professional career: three rushing in 1948 and one receiving in 1949.[3] He also threw a touchdown pass in 1948, and recorded an interception and four fumble recoveries on defense in 1949.[1]