Jesse Baker (American football)
Jesse Lewis Baker (July 10, 1957 – January 16, 1999) was an American football defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Houston Oilers and the Dallas Cowboys.
| Date of birth | July 10, 1957 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Conyers, Georgia, U.S. |
| Date of death | January 16, 1999 (aged 41) |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Defensive end |
| US college | Jacksonville State |
| NFL draft | 1979 / Round: 2 / Pick: 50 |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1979–1986 | Houston Oilers |
| 1986 | Dallas Cowboys |
| 1987 | Houston Oilers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Career stats | |
| |
Baker played high school football for the Rockdale County High School Bulldogs in Conyers, Georgia in 1973 and 1974, where he earned all-state first-team honors both years. He was also a stand-out in track and field. He played college football at Jacksonville State University (JSU); while he was there, he was defensive MVP of the 1977 Grantland Rice Bowl, and was inducted to the JSU Hall of Fame in 1989.[1] Baker was drafted in the second round of the 1979 NFL Draft.
Baker played nine seasons in the NFL with the Oilers. He recorded 15.5 quarterback sacks and returned a fumble for a touchdown in his rookie season in 1979, despite starting only two of 16 games. He recorded 6.5 sacks in 1980 and 10 more in 1981 as a part-timer before becoming a starter in the strike shortened 1982 season. Baker started 57 consecutive games and recorded 29.5 more sacks.[2]
References edit
- ^ "Jesse Baker (1989) - Hall of Fame". Jacksonville State University Athletics.
- ^ https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BakeJe21.htm