Ron East

Ronald Allan East (born August 26, 1943) is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League from 1967 to 1977. He played college football at Oregon State University and Montana State University following his completion of service to the United States Marine Corps.

Ron East
No. 69, 77, 74
Position:Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1943-08-26) August 26, 1943
Portland, Oregon
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High school:Portland (OR) Lincoln
College:Montana State
Undrafted:1967
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:137
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Early years

East attended Lincoln High School where he practiced football, wrestling and track. He was the State's Javelin champion as a senior.[1]

He accepted a scholarship to play at Oregon State University, but after being considered too small to eventually become a starter, he decided to leave school and enlist in the Marine Forces Reserve. After boot camp, he decided to transfer to Columbia Basin College where as a defensive tackle, he received All-Conference honors and helped his team go undefeated and win the Conference Championship.[2]

In 1966, he moved on to Montana State University, where he helped his team win the Big Sky conference championship and received All-Conference honors. He also was the Big Sky javelin champion.

In 1994, he was inducted into the Northwest Athletic Conference Hall of Fame.[3] In 1999, he was inducted into the Montana State University Hall of Fame.[4]

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

East signed as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in 1967. He was the fifth defensive lineman and a backup for defensive tackles Bob Lilly and Jethro Pugh.[5] Tom Landry would later say "Ron East was the most aggressive player he ever coached".

After trading the troubled Lance Rentzel, the Cowboys replaced him with future hall of famer Lance Alworth and East was sent to the San Diego Chargers as part of the "Bambi trade" in May 1971, that also involved Pettis Norman and Tony Liscio.

San Diego Chargers

East was a three-year starter at left defensive tackle in castoff defensive line that included Deacon Jones, Dave Costa, Lionel Aldridge and Coy Bacon.[6] He and Jones sacked Bob Griese in game 5 of the 1972 Miami Dolphins Perfect Season. Griese went down with a broken leg and dislocated ankle, with Earl Morrall replacing him until the Super Bowl VII game.

The Hawaiians (WFL)

On March 25, 1974, he signed a contract with The Hawaiians of the World Football League.[7] After his original contract was not honored, he decided to return to the NFL.

Cleveland Browns

East was traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a fifth round draft choice (#128-Cliff Olander) on July 16, 1975 and became the starter left defensive end.[8] He was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a seventh round draft choice (#173-Ken Randle) on August 19, 1976.[9]

Atlanta Falcons

After starting only one game an playing mostly a reserve role, he was released the next year after new head coach Leeman Bennett was hired.

Seattle Seahawks

On July 18, 1977, he signed as a free agent with the Seattle Seahawks and was the starter at left defensive tackle.[10] He was waived on August 29, 1978.[11]

Personal life

Since his retirement he has been a real estate developer in Seattle, Washington. His wife gave birth to Ron's son on January 17, 1971 while he was playing in Super Bowl V.

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References
  1. "PIL Hall of Fame CyberMuseum of Inductees". Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  2. "Hawks Place 10 Players on Community College 11". The Spokesman-Review.
  3. "Ron East - NWAC Hall of Fame - Northwest Athletic Conference". Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  4. "Montana State Athletics - Hall of Fame". Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  5. "Homan Could Help Cowboys". Times Daily.
  6. "Unitas, Chargers may contend". Eugene Register-Guard.
  7. "Hawaiians Sign Tackle". Lakeland Ledger.
  8. "Transactions". Herald-Journal.
  9. "Falcons get defensive end". The Tuscaloosa News.
  10. "Niehaus facing shoulder surgery". The Spokesman-Review.
  11. "Sports Transactions". Lewiston Evening Journal.
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