A little about my dad, Don Cockroft

Donald Lee Cockroft was born on Feb. 6, 1945 , in Cheyenne , Wyoming . He spent much of his childhood living and working on the family farm near Delta, CO. with his four brothers: Robert, Den, Jary and Gary . His beloved mother Eileen and his stepfather Bill Cockroft raised Dad and his brothers in a simple yet Christian-based family environment.

My dad excelled in basketball, football and track while attending Fountain-Fort Carson High School in Fountain, CO. As a basketball player, Dad averaged over 16 points per game during his senior year. As a football player, Dad was the starting quarterback and the starting middle linebacker during his junior and senior years. He was named “Outstanding Athlete of the Year,” his senior year. It was during high school that Dad realized he had been given a God-given ability to punt and kick a football. It was also in Fountain that Dad met my mother, Dianna.

A walk-on athlete at Adams State College (ASC) in Alamosa, CO, Dad was awarded an athletic scholarship his freshman year, having earned a place on the football team as a punter/kicker. Wearing the number “O,” Dad soon became known to his teammates and ASC fans as “Donny O” (Donny-Oh). In addition to his duties as punter—where his four year career average was 44.5 yards per punt—Dad also served as a backup quarterback and defensive back. During his senior year in 1966 he earned a starting position as the team's strong safety. Forty-two years later Dad still holds the ASC single season record of averaging 48.1 yards per punt which he accomplished during his senior year; a feat which earned him NAIA All-American honors and national recognition. In 1977 his football jersey (“O”) was retired, only one of three retired in the history of the college. In 2000 Dad was inducted into the Adams State College Athletic Hall of Fame, and in June of 2008 he is being inducted into the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference-Hall of Fame.

Dad's professional career in the NFL began in 1967 when he was drafted 3 rd round by the Cleveland Browns (55 th overall pick). During his 13-year association with the Browns, Dad led the team in scoring during twelve of those seasons. He also set franchise records with a 57-yard field goal in 1972 against the Denver Broncos; in addition he kicked five field goals in one game (again against the Broncos) in 1975. Considered the last double duty kicker in the NFL, Dad averaged a respectable 40.4 yards per punt during his nine seasons as the Browns' punter. He was also the next to last straight-on kicker that the NFL would ever see. When his career ended in 1981, Dad had amassed over 1080 points, second only to the legendary Lou “The Toe” Groza. In 2002 Dad was inducted into the Cleveland Sports Stars Hall of Fame, and in October 2007 he was inducted as a “Cleveland Browns Legend.” What a thrill it was for my older sister Michelle, my wife Sandie and me to celebrate with dad and his wife Barb at this memorable event!

Throughout his professional and personal life, Dad's faith in God, through Jesus Christ, has been a driving force behind all he has done. From public speaking before smaller groups to over 40,000 attendees at a Billy Graham Crusade in 1972, Dad passionately shares his faith and what God is doing in his life. His 40-year involvement with the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) has afforded him the privilege of addressing innumerable audiences across the country.

Since the days of the NFL, Dad is remarried and lives with his wife Barb in Canton , OH . where he is a loan consultant with Willoughby Mortgage of Massillon, OH. Dad is a stepfather to Barb's three grown children: Katy, Daniel and Julie. My two sisters, Michelle and Melinda, and I all live in Colorado Springs , CO . When Dad is able to make a trip back to Colorado , he enjoys spending time at our mountain home, working on his tractor, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his grandchildren: Tanner, Anna, and Bodie.

Well, that is a little bit about my dad, Don Cockroft. Thanks for visiting.

 

--Matt Cockroft