Joe Childress

Joe Childress (October 26, 1933 – May 5, 1986) was a professional football running back who played college football at Auburn, where he earned two-time All-American honors and was regarded as the top fullback in the country during his junior and senior seasons. He led the Southeastern Conference in rushing and scoring as a junior in 1954, was named Gator Bowl MVP, and rushed for 1,677 yards his senior year in 1955. Selected by the Chicago Cardinals in the first round of the 1956 NFL Draft, Childress spent his entire career with the Chicago and St. Louis Cardinals, known for his receiving ability and blocking. His best season came in 1963, when he led the Cardinals in rushing and surpassed 1,000 yards from scrimmage while filling in for the injured John David Crow.