Dave Middleton

David Hinton Middleton (November 23, 1933 – December 29, 2007) was an American professional football end, wide receiver, and halfback. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Middleton attended Ensley High School before enrolling at Auburn University, where he played college football as a halfback for the Auburn Tigers in 1953 and 1954. He was also the 1955 Southeastern Conference champion in the 100-yard dash.

The Detroit Lions selected Middleton in the first round of the 1955 NFL draft, and he played for the Lions in the National Football League from 1955 to 1960. As a rookie, he ranked third in the NFL with 44 receptions and led the Lions in receiving, a distinction he also held in 1956 and 1958. He won an NFL championship with Detroit in 1957 and caught a touchdown pass in the 1957 NFL Championship Game. Middleton concluded his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings in their inaugural season of 1961. In seven NFL seasons, he totaled 183 receptions, 2,966 receiving yards, and 19 touchdowns.

Middleton attended medical school while playing for the Lions and worked as an obstetrician-gynecologist after his football career ended. He died on December 29, 2007.