J.D. Roberts

J.D. Roberts, an interior lineman at the University of Oklahoma from 1950-1953, is the first player ever to receive every "lineman of the year" award given at that time.

Roberts won the Outland Trophy, Associated Press Lineman of the Year, United Press Lineman of the Year, Philadelphia Sports Writers Lineman of the Year Award, Fox Movietone Lineman of the Year and was the leading vote-getter among lineman on the Paul Williamson rating system All-American team, determined by vote of the nation's college athletic departments.

Born in Oklahoma City and reared in Dallas, Roberts graduated from OU in 1955 with a degree in secondary education. In 1954, he was drafted by the Green Bay Packers, but went to the Hamilton Tiger Cats, Hamilton, Ontario to play under Carl Voyles.

He served in the Marine Corps from 1955 until 1957. While in the corps, he captained the Quantico football team and made the all-service team. He was a player/coach in 1956. After his honorable discharge as a first lieutenant, Roberts became a line coach at the University of Denver.

He also coached at OU, U.S. Naval Academy, Auburn University and University of Houston. In 1967, he became the linebacker coach and talent scout for the New Orleans Saints and later the head coach of their farm club in Richmond, Virginia. After a stint with the farm club, he was named head coach of the Saints and remained there until 1973.