Wikipedia

Ira Valentine

Ira Lynn Valentine (June 4, 1963 – July 6, 2022) was an American professional football running back who played one season in the National Football League (NFL) for the Houston Oilers. He played college football at Texas A&M and also had a stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Ira Valentine
refer to caption
Valentine while at Texas A&M
No. 45
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born:(1963-06-04)June 4, 1963
Marshall, Texas, U.S.
Died:July 6, 2022(2022-07-06) (aged 59)
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:212 lb (96 kg)
Career information
High school:Marshall (TX)
College:Texas A&M
NFL draft:1987 / round: 12 / pick: 314
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:10
Rushing average:2.0
Receptions:2
Receiving yards:10
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life and education

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Valentine was born on June 4, 1963, in Marshall, Texas to Maudell and Ira Valentine.[1] He attended Marshall High School and played football. He played on defense for his first three seasons, only seeing time as a running back in his senior year.[2] As a senior, Valentine ran 174 times for 858 yards (a 4.9 yard average) and scored nine touchdowns.[2]

After graduating from high school, Valentine committed to Texas A&M University, joining two of his former Marshall teammates.[3] He was the first Marshall player to sign a letter-of-intent in 1982, signing at 8 a.m. on February 10, the earliest possible time.[4] For his first season at the school, he played on the junior varsity football team.[5]

Valentine made the varsity roster in 1983 as the backup fullback.[6] However, he suffered an injury and did not play.[1] In 1984, Valentine played as a reserve fullback and return specialist.[7][8] Valentine saw his first "extensive playing time" in 1985 and was the team's top blocking back.[9] He scored his first career touchdown in a 43–16 win over Houston in week five and scored a key two-point conversion in the Aggies' 28–27 win versus the Texas Tech Red Raiders two weeks earlier.[9]

Valentine saw more time as a ball-carrier in 1986 due to the departure of Anthony Toney.[10] He finished his college career with 101 touches for 486 yards and six touchdowns.[11]

Professional career

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Valentine was selected in the 12th round (314th overall) of the 1987 NFL draft by the Houston Oilers.[12][13] "Ira was the fastest player at his position still available when it came our turn," said Oilers' head coach Jerry Glanville, as Valentine had run a 4.40 second 40-yard dash in college.[14] "That's what we look for in our 12th round pick ... the fastest player available at his position."[14] He reported to camp at the beginning of May.[13] He was officially signed by the team in mid-July.[15] In two preseason games against the Indianapolis Colts, Valentine ran for 65 yards on 15 carries.[16] He survived the final roster cuts on September 7 and made his NFL debut in week one against the Los Angeles Rams, in a 20–16 win.[16][17]

Valentine did not play again until week ten, a 23–3 win at the Pittsburgh Steelers.[17] In the game, he recorded three rush attempts for five yards as well as two receptions for 10 yards.[17] He also appeared in five other games: week eleven, a 7–40 loss versus the Cleveland Browns; week twelve, a 27–51 loss at the Indianapolis Colts; week thirteen, a 33–18 win over the San Diego Chargers, in which he recorded two rushes for five yards; week fourteen, a 10–24 loss at the New Orleans Saints; and week sixteen, a 21–17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, in which he recorded one kickoff return for 13 yards.[17] He also appeared in two playoff games, in a win over the Seattle Seahawks and in a loss to the Denver Broncos.[17] Valentine finished the season with five rushes for 10 yards, two catches for 10 yards, and one kickoff return for 13 yards for a total of 33 all-purpose yards.[17] He appeared in seven total games as well as two playoff games.[17]

Valentine entered the 1988 season competing with Alonzo Highsmith, Mike Rozier, Lorenzo White, Allen Pinkett, Spencer Tillman, and Ray Wallace for the starting running back job.[18] He was released at the final roster cuts in August.[19]

Valentine received a tryout with the St. Louis Cardinals in October 1988, but was not signed.[20] In January 1989, he signed a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[21] He was released at the final roster cuts in August and did not sign another NFL contract afterwards.[22]

Later life and death

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Valentine returned to East Texas, where he grew up, after his football career ended and worked at a forging plant.[23][24] He died July 6, 2022, at the age of 59, from a heart attack.[11]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Ira Valentine Stats". Pro Football Archives. Archived from the original on October 20, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Hartley, Mark (April 4, 1982). "Long, Valentine continued tradition of Mavs' runners". The Marshall News Messenger. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.  
  3. ^ McLain, Jim (February 7, 1982). "Recruiters eyeing Marshall, Tyler in East Texas". The Times. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.  
  4. ^ "Sheneman, Valentine sign letters of intent". The Marshall News Messenger. February 10, 1982. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.  
  5. ^ "Aggie JV Tops Cards". Tyler Morning Telegraph. September 7, 1982. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.  
  6. ^ Keeney, Mike (July 22, 1983). "Former teammates now foes". The Marshall News Messenger. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.  
  7. ^ "Aggies hope offensive line will create time for Murray". The Baytown Sun. Associated Press. September 6, 1984. p. 71 – via Newspapers.com.  
  8. ^ Gonzalez, Simon (September 23, 1984). "Stump guides A&M over Iowa St., 38–17". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 43 – via Newspapers.com.  
  9. ^ a b Keeney, Mike (October 18, 1985). "BU's Hurd looking forward to game with old friend Saturday". The Marshall News Messenger. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.  
  10. ^ Hicks, Phil (June 21, 1986). "Sherrill: 'We're Excited'". Tyler Morning Telegraph. p. 21, 27 – via Newspapers.com.  
  11. ^ a b Williams, Charean (July 8, 2022). "Former Oilers running back Ira Valentine dies at 59". Profootballtalk.com. NBC Sports.
  12. ^ "1987 NFL Draft". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  13. ^ a b Hilburn, Van (May 10, 1987). "Ira wants future with NFL". The Marshall News Messenger. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.  
  14. ^ a b Walker, John (August 26, 1987). "Oilers camp stay makes Valentine's day". San Angelo Standard-Times. p. 25 – via Newspapers.com.  
  15. ^ "Oilers sign Jeffries, Aggies' Valentine". Times Record News. Associated Press. July 23, 1987. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.  
  16. ^ a b Hilburn, Van (September 9, 1987). "Valentine survives Houston Oiler cut". The Marshall News Messenger. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.  
  17. ^ a b c d e f g "Ira Valentine Career Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  18. ^ Hainline, L. Scott (August 1, 1988). "Solid performance gives Valentine hope of landing berth in backfield". Austin American-Statesman. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com.  
  19. ^ "Martin released by Oilers". Del Rio News Herald. Associated Press. August 30, 1988. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.  
  20. ^ "Tryouts". Arizona Republic. October 12, 1988. p. 58 – via Newspapers.com.  
  21. ^ Hilburn, Van (January 8, 1989). "Valentine returns to NFL". The Marshall News Messenger. p. 9, 10 – via Newspapers.com.  
  22. ^ Kerasotis, Peter (August 31, 1989). "Kerwin confident he'll make roster". News-Press. p. 33 – via Newspapers.com.  
  23. ^ Hague, Nathan (June 25, 2017). "Where are they now: Marshall's Valentine enjoys being back home in East Texas after his NFL career". The Marshall News Messenger.
  24. ^ "Obituary for Ira Lynn Valentine". Rosewood Memorial Funeral Associates.
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