1. Abner Haynes was an American professional football player who was a halfback and return specialist in the American Football League.
19 Facts About Abner Haynes
1. 2.
Abner Haynes played college football for the North Texas State Eagles and was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the 1960 AFL draft.
3.
Abner Haynes was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 1960 NFL draft.
4.
Abner Haynes led the AFL in rushing attempts, yards, and TDs in its first year.
5.
Abner Haynes helped popularize the AFL in 1960, when he was the fledgling league's first Player of the Year, and its first Rookie of the Year.
6.
Abner Haynes captured the AFL's first rushing crown with 875 yards, and led the Texans in receiving, punt returns, and kickoff returns.
7.
Abner Haynes spent three years in Dallas and two with same franchise when it became the Kansas City Chiefs in 1963.
8.
Abner Haynes gave us the dimension we needed to be a good team in Dallas.
9.
Abner Haynes still owns 10 Texans franchise records, including most points in a game, most touchdowns in a game, and most career combined yards.
10.
Abner Haynes was Hall of Fame head coach Hank Stram's most versatile and dangerous weapon from 1960 to 1962, amassing 43 touchdowns and 4,472 yards on rushes and receptions.
11.
In that game, Abner Haynes scored touchdowns on a 28-yard pass reception from quarterback Len Dawson, and on a 2-yard run.
12.
Abner Haynes was then traded to the Denver Broncos prior to the 1965 season.
13.
Abner Haynes believed that the trade was retribution for his participation in several black players boycotting the 1965 American Football League All-Star game, which was supposed to be in New Orleans, due to the black players' mistreatment by hotels and businesses in New Orleans.
14.
Abner Haynes led the league in kick returns, kick return yards, kick return average, and was fourth in the league in all-purpose yards.
15.
Abner Haynes's 12,065 combined yards is the American Football League record.
16.
Abner Haynes had three games in which he gained 100 or more yards on 14 or fewer carries, and was selected to the All-Time All-AFL second-team.
17.
Abner Haynes had a program called "Heroes of Football" which connects former professional players with their communities.
18.
Abner Haynes was a cousin of Sly Stone, Rose Stone, and Freddie Stone of Sly and the Family Stone.
19.
Abner Haynes died in Dallas on July 18,2024, at the age of 86.