Monroe Eley (April 17, 1949 – May 2, 2019) was a former running back who played in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the National Football League (NFL).

Monroe Eley
Date of birth(1949-04-17)April 17, 1949
Place of birthRocky Mount, North Carolina, U.S.
Date of death(2019-05-02)May 2, 2019
Place of deathNashville, North Carolina, U.S.
Career information
Position(s)Running back
US collegeArizona State University
NFL draft1974 / round: 5 / Pick 128
Career history
As player
1972–1974British Columbia Lions
1975 & 1977Atlanta Falcons
Career stats

Having played his college football with Arizona State University,[1] Eley was not drafted by the NFL, so he headed north to play with the British Columbia Lions. In his first year, 1972, he rushed for 517 yards and led the West Conference with 1033 kickoff return yards. His totals fell in 1973, to 373 rushing yards, as he played behind 1000 rusher Johnny Musso. The next season Musso was injured and Eley had his best year, racking up 1176 yards. His fellow running back, Lou Harris also rushed for 1239 yards, giving the Lions one of the most productive backfields in CFL history.[2]

He wasn't able to reach contract terms with the Lions, so he headed south to the Atlanta Falcons, who had noticed him and drafted him in 1974. In 1975, he played only 6 games, rushing once for 3 yards and mostly returning kicks. In 1977, he played 7 games and rushed for 273 yards, but his average was a low 2.8 yards per carry. This was his final season.

References

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