Elvin Bethea

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Elvin Bethea
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Position(s): Defensive end	Jersey #(s): 65
Born: March 1, 1943 (1943-03-01) (age 65) Trenton, New Jersey
Career Information
Year(s): 1968–1983
AFL Draft: 1968 / Round: 3 / Pick:
College: North Carolina A&T
Professional Teams
Houston Oilers (1968-1983)
Career Stats
Sacks	105
Tackles	691 (1974-1983)
Touchdowns	1
Stats at NFL.com
Career Highlights and Awards
8x Pro Bowl selection (1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979) 8x All-Pro selection (1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979) Houston Oilers #65 retired
Pro Football Hall of Fame

Elvin Lamont Bethea (born March 1, 1946, Trenton, New Jersey) is a former American football defensive end who played his entire career with the Houston Oilers. He was a three-time All-American when he played for North Carolina A&T State University and was the first person from that school to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Bethea played high school football at Trenton Central High School.^[1]

During his career in Houston, Bethea played in 210 games, including a stretch of 135 consecutive. He started at defensive end in the 1968 season opener and didn’t miss a game until breaking his arm in a game against the Oakland Raiders in 1977. He led the team in sacks six times, finishing his career with 105 unofficial sacks.^[2] His career high was in 1973 with 16 sacks, which still ranks as the best in Oilers/Tennessee Titans history.^[3] In 1976 Bethea recorded 14-1/2 sacks, yet was not voted to the Pro Bowl. In a game against the San Diego Chargers in 1976, he recorded four sacks (his career high) and had one fumble recovery.

He also had 14-1/2 sacks in 1969. Other notable seasons in terms of sacks were: 1970 and 1971 with 10-1/2 sacks in each, 1975 with 10 and 1978 with 8. He played in the AFC Championship game in 1978 and 1979. He is also the author of Smash-Mouth: My Football Journey from Trenton to Canton.