GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In an era of two-way players,
Bernie Parrish fit the profile, starring at defensive back and running back for the Gators from 1955-57. He was more than that, though.
Parrish was a two-sport star, a standout UF baseball player who signed with the Cincinnati Reds in the spring of 1958 with a year of football eligibility remaining. The move caused a stir in the Southeastern Conference as Gators football coach
Bob Woodruff, also the athletic director, lobbied to "abolish college baseball until an agreement can be reached with professional baseball that would eliminate signing of college players before they graduate."
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Bernie Parrish in 2017 when he was honored as a member of Cleveland's Hall of Legends. (Photo: Courtesy of New York Times)
Georgia Tech's
Bobby Dodd and Alabama's
Bear Bryant supported Woodruff's failed proposal according to news reports.
At the time, Parrish signed a deal with the Reds that included a $43,000 bonus, citing his desire to avoid injury by opting to play professional baseball. Parrish broke his hand soon thereafter and after a couple of seasons in the minors, Parrish joined the Cleveland Browns and became a defensive star for a team that featured
Jim Brown in the backfield.
Bernard Paul Parrish Jr. died Wednesday at age 83 in Springfield, Mo. His death
received an obituary in The New York Times, which reported the cause was metastatic prostate cancer. Prior to playing for the Gators, Parrish studied and played sports at Gainesville's P.K. Yonge High School.
Parrish spent
eight seasons in the NFL from 1959-66 and was a member of the Browns when they defeated quarterback
Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts, led by head coach
Don Shula, in the 1964 NFL Championship Game. It was the last major professional sports title for Cleveland for 52 years until
LeBron James led the Cavaliers to the NBA title in 2016.
In Cleveland's 27-0 win over the Colts on Dec. 27, 1964, Parrish called the defensive signals. He finished his professional career with 31 interceptions and
was a two-time Pro Bowl selection.
A member of the UF Athletic Hall of Fame, Parrish became an advocate for NFL players' rights following his playing career. He wrote a book in 1972 titled "They Call It A Game," which took on the NFL's treatment of players.
Parrish later served as vice president of the NFL Players Association, a stint that included a public battle with Commissioner
Pete Rozelle over pensions. Parrish remained active fighting for players' rights for the remainder of his life.
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