Rickey Allen Bolden (born September 8, 1961) is an American former professional football player who played offensive lineman for six seasons for the Cleveland Browns.[1] He was selected by the Browns in the fourth round of the 1984 NFL draft.[2]

Rickey Bolden
refer to caption
Bolden with the Browns in 1988
No. 88, 77
Position:Tackle
Guard
Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1961-09-08) September 8, 1961 (age 63)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:274 lb (124 kg)
Career information
High school:Hillcrest
(Dallas, Texas)
College:SMU
NFL draft:1984 / round: 4 / pick: 96
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:62
Games started:34
Receptions:2
Receiving yards:22
Receiving touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Bolden was raised in Dallas, Texas as one of ten children. His father died when he was 12 years old. According to Bolden, he grew up in "a typical inner city." He said he was shot when he was 14 years old.[3]

Bolden played college football as a tight end for the SMU Mustangs. After being selected by the Browns in the 1984 National Football League Draft, he was converted to offensive line.[3]

While still only 28 years old and a starting offensive lineman for the Browns, Bolden left football to become a pastor.[4] He completed his studies at Ashland Theological Seminary and worked with churches of various Christian denominations.[3]

References

edit
  1. ^ Rickey Bolden NFL & AFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com
  2. ^ "1984 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Goshay, Charita (July 31, 2011). "Former Browns star coming to Dueber Church". Canton Repository. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  4. ^ "NFL starter turned pastor in Manteca Sunday". Manteca Bulletin. May 13, 2010. Retrieved November 14, 2023.