Austin Denney
Austin Cheek Denney Jr. was an American professional football tight end in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills. He played college football at the University of Tennessee.
Early life
Denney attended Donelson High School, where he lettered in football, basketball and baseball. He accepted a football scholarship from the University of Tennessee.As a junior, he was moved from fullback to tight end, becoming a starter, while posting 14 receptions for 206 yards and 2 touchdowns. As a senior, he posted 21 receptions for 264 yards and 7 receiving touchdowns. He finished his college career with 35 receptions for 470 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Professional career
Denney was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the eleventh round of the 1966 NFL draft with a future draft pick, which allowed the team to draft him before his college eligibility was over. He also was selected in the redshirt round 2 of the 1966 AFL draft. On September 6, 1967, he was traded along with Mac Percival to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a third round draft choice.In 1967, Denney became a starter at tight end for the Chicago Bears. His best season was 1968, when he registered 23 receptions for 247 yards and two touchdowns. He was released on September 1, 1970.
On September 2, 1970, he was claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills. He was named the starter at tight end, making 14 receptions for 201 yards. He was released on September 15, 1971.