Bobby Cross
Robert Joe Cross was an American professional football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears, History of the [Los Angeles Rams|Los Angeles Rams], San Francisco 49ers, and Chicago Cardinals. He also was a member of the Boston Patriots in the American Football League and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League. He played college football at Stephen F. Austin State University.
Early life
Cross attended Kilgore High School, where he practiced football, basketball and track. He enrolled at Kilgore Junior College. He later accepted a football scholarship from Stephen F. Austin State University, where he became a three-year starter.In 1948, he placed second in the Border Olympics shot put competition, a track-and-field event held in Laredo in which Southwest Conference teams also participated.
In 2002, he was inducted into the Kilgore College Athletics Hall of Fame.
Professional career
Chicago Bears
Cross was selected by the Chicago Bears in the ninth round of the 1952 [NFL draft]. Although he was named a starter as a rookie at right tackle, at the end of the season he opted to sign with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League.Hamilton Tiger-Cats
In 1953, he was the starting left tackle for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, while helping the team win the Grey Cup.Los Angeles Rams
On May 8, 1954, while he was in the process of asking for reinstatement into the National Football League, The Bears traded him to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for defensive end Larry Brink. He was a starter at left tackle. In the 1955 NFL Championship Game, he was moved to center to replace Leon McLaughlin who was sick with mumps.On September 9, 1956, he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a third round draft choice.