Joe Isbell

Joe Bob Isbell is an American former professional football player who was an offensive guard in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns. He played college football for the Houston Cougars.

Early years

Isbell attended Little Cypress High School, before moving on to the University of Houston, where he was a team co-captain as a senior.

Isbell was selected by the Houston Oilers in the twentieth round of the 1962 AFL draft, but instead chose to sign with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys as a free agent in 1962. On September 11, he was placed on the injured reserve list, but returned in October to play in 9 games.
On November 3, 1963, he suffered a left knee injury against the Washington Redskins and was lost for the year.
Isbell was mostly a backup player until 1964, when he started 10 games at right guard. The next year, he was placed on the taxi squad because of injuries and wasn't activated during the season.
On August 15, 1966, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a fifth round draft choice.

In 1967, he was signed as a free agent by the Houston Oilers to their taxi squad.

Isbell was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1968 AFL expansion draft from the Houston Oilers roster. He was released on July 13.