Eugene Lipscomb-1st Huge and Fast Lineman

[rhickok1109]

It's always dangerous to call somebody the first of anything
A few huge, fast lineman before Lipscomb come to mind: Cub Buck, Fats Henry, and Cal Hubbard.

[TanksAndSpartans]

It's always dangerous to call somebody the first of anything

+1

Herman Kerkhoff was a good one too. Had the size and speed. Prior to his Ohio League days was used quite a bit as a ball carrier in guards back type formations especially in short yardage.

[LeonardRachiele]

I guess you could say he was the first lineman to gain publicity because of television and being an a cham[ionship team.

[LeonardRachiele]

Unlike Sonny Liston Big Daddy had a gentle side and loved children.

[conace21]

For those not familiar with the story of his death it was said that Lipscomb hated needles and never would have injected himself. It was probably done when he was unconscious. There was a story done by NFL Films I believe but I can't remember when or all the details. Yes, this would make a great film, either as a documentary or feature.

The Pro Football Chronicle has a section on the death of Big Daddy Lipscomb, and they interviewed the Baltimore assistant medical examiner who had performed the autopsy. He was definitive that Big Daddy had died of an accidental overdose, and the big lineman was aware of it.

Some of his findings included:

-Lipscomb'ss blood alcohol level was .09%. For an alcoholic like Big Daddy, he would have been under the influence, but far from incoherent or passed out.

-There were no bruises or cuts on the body. He hadn't been beaten or held down.

-There were four needle makes in one arm, and one older needle mark in the other arm. One of the four needle marks was the injection that killed him. The three others were the result of a salt water solution (a street remedy) administered after he lost consciousness. The older mark in his other arm could have been left by an old blood test, but cotton fibers were found at the mark. Cotton was often used as part of a heroin syringe, so it was evidence (but not proof) of prior drug use.