Al Coleman


Alvin M. Coleman is an American former professional football player who was a defensive back in the National Football League for the Minnesota Vikings, Cincinnati Bengals, and Philadelphia Eagles. He appeared in 57 NFL games, 19 of them as a starter. He played college football for the Jackson State Tigers and the Tennessee A&I Tigers.

Early years

Coleman was born in 1944 in Gulfport, Mississippi, and attended Jim Hill High School in Jackson, Mississippi. He played college football for the Jackson State and Tennessee State.

Professional football

He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round of the 1967 NFL/AFL draft. He appeared in only two games for the Vikings and spent the next two seasons in the minor leagues with the Des Moines Warriors and Charleston Rockets. In 1969, he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals and appeared in 29 games for the club, including 19 starts, from 1969 to 1971. He concluded his career playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, appearing in 26 games during the 1972 and 1973 seasons.