In 1965, the American Football League's Buffalo Bills used their ninth-round draft choice to select Al Nelson out of the University of Cincinnati. That same day, the Eagles used their third-round pick in the National Football League's draft to choose Nelson.
He opted to head to Philadelphia.
"Well, at the time, I thought the NFL was the better league. And I think that Philadelphia offered me a little bit more," laughed Nelson.
Nelson's decision may have resulted in more money in his wallet, but it was the Eagles who pocketed a bonus. That's because even though head coach Joe Kuharich decided to initially have Nelson line up at safety, as a senior at Cincinnati, Nelson was a running back who rushed for a then-school record 973 yards, finishing third nationally, and scored 13 touchdowns. Another school record which stood for 29 years! Named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference Team, he was an honorable mention All-America.
Nelson's outstanding running ability not only allowed him to keep from being caught out of position in the defensive backfield too often, it also benefited the Eagles' kick return team. As a rookie, he and veteran Irv Cross became Philly's one-two punch. Nelson averaged 26.3 yards on 26 kick returns. While Cross averaged 26.5 yards on 25 returns.
"One of the things that I enjoyed about returning kicks was that I could run the ball again," said Nelson, who would have a career average 26.0 yards on 101 kick returns over nine seasons [1965-73]. That includes a team-record 29.1-yard average on 25 returns in 1972. "Running kickoffs back was exciting because the crowd got all into it. But it was basically just the opportunity to run the ball again."
On Dec. 11, 1966, Nelson, now playing as a cornerback following Cross' trade to the Los Angeles Rams, had the opportunity to put his name in the Eagles' record book for another reason – a 100-yard return for a touchdown of a missed field goal attempt against the Cleveland Browns during the regular season home finale at Franklin Field.
"I think Lou Groza was the kicker and he kicked the ball short," Nelson said. "You know how when you catch a kickoff, you kind of give and step back with one leg, I guess I was straddling the end zone and I just brought it all the way back out. I just ran as fast as I could and I believe I [was untouched]. It was common to put someone back on long field goal attempts, especially when you catch somebody asleep so you could improve your position on the field."
The Eagles finished the campaign with a 9-5 record and met Baltimore in the Playoff Bowl, where they would lose, 20-14.
"That game, I thought we were going to win. We had a good team," Nelson said. "We played them pretty close, but [Colts quarterback] Johnny Unitas was a little bit better."
That, unfortunately, would turn out to be the only winning season that Nelson would experience in Philadelphia.
"It was disappointing. We lacked some things," said Nelson. "Actually, we didn't have enough good players at that time. I think we had three quarterbacks and we couldn't get any consistency out of one. King Hill could call a good game, Norm Snead could really throw, and Jack Concannon was a runner. So we had all the elements, but they were three different quarterbacks.
"I think that was where our problem really started. And another thing is that we had several coaches in the nine years. Kuharich, Jerry Williams, Eddie Khayat, Mike McCormack. Four coaches in nine years!"
Nine years. Four coaches. And two touchdowns. During the first regular season game at Veterans Stadium on Sept. 26, 1971, Nelson scored for a second time in his career on a missed field goal attempt when he ran the ball back 101 yards against Dallas for Philadelphia's only points in a 42-7 shellacking.
"It was the same type of deal and I wasn't touched on that one either," said Nelson. "I was somewhat surprised myself that I was able to score untouched. I was elated! For a defensive player to score was pretty exciting at that time. I was happy to score the touchdown, but it was sad to lose the game like that."
Nelson retired after the 1973 season with 13 career interceptions.
What is he most proud of of his Eagle days?
"Well, that I played for one team at defensive back for nine years. I thought that was a pretty good statement to make – that I lasted nine years in Philadelphia, which is a pretty tough town to play defensive back in," said Nelson. "I felt that I added something to the team. The fans in Philly like the team and they like players who play hard. I thought I played hard. Maybe that's why, I don't know, but I was able to last. Not many people can say that."
Following football, Nelson went to work for the state of Pennsylvania as the special assistant to the secretary of the department of community affairs. And after 11 years, he moved on to work in the Dauphin County's juvenile justice system.
Now enjoying retirement with his wife, Charlotte, Nelson, the father of two adult sons -- Jonathan and Matthew -- makes his home in Harrisburg.
