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Martine Bercher

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Martine Bercher
No. 17 (Arkansas)
Position:Defensive back
Personal information
Born:(1944-02-23)February 23, 1944
Fort Smith, Arkansas, U.S.
Died:December 7, 2005(2005-12-07) (aged 61)
Fort Smith, Arkansas, U.S.
Career information
College:Arkansas
NFL draft:1967 / round: 6 / pick: 151
Career history
Career highlights and awards

Martine Bercher (February 23, 1944 – December 7, 2005) was an American football defensive back for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1962-1966.[2] He was a member of the 1964 National Championship team that won the 1965 Cotton Bowl Classic, and was named to the University of Arkansas All Century Team in 1994.

Arkansas

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Bercher attended the University of Arkansas from 1962–1966, where he would become an All-American. Bercher played under Frank Broyles as a defensive back, and was a sophomore on the 1964 National Championship team.

NFL

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Atlanta Falcons

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Bercher was drafted in the sixth round with the 151st pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 1967 NFL/AFL draft.[3] He was with the Falcons for only the 1967 NFL season.[4]

Minnesota Vikings

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Bercher became a member of the Minnesota Vikings for 1968. This would be the Fort Smith natives' final year of professional football.

After football

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Catholic High School hired Bercher as a teacher and assistant football coach in 1969. He moved back to Fort Smith to care for his ill father-in-law in 1972. Bercher would re-open his father-in-law's restaurant and operate it for over 30 years until his death in 2005.

References

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  1. ^ Bailey, John. "Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame: Martine Bercher; Fort Smith flash kept foes on toes." Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Article. Retrieved on April 19, 2009.
  2. ^ "Martine Bercher Jr.." December 12, 2005. Southwest Times-Record. Article. Retrieved on April 19, 2009.
  3. ^ "Pro Grids Like Walker". The Dispatch. March 16, 1967. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  4. ^ "Rookies Dropped By Pro Teams". Bonham Daily Favorite. August 10, 1967. Retrieved January 11, 2011.