29 Facts About Johnny Hatley

Johnny Ray Hatley was an American football player and coach, and rodeo performer.

Johnny Hatley played college football at Baylor, Corpus Christi, Southwest Texas JC and Sul Ross and was selected in the 16th round of the 1953 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears.

Johnny Hatley played one season with the Bears before being traded to the Chicago Cardinals, where he played for two seasons.

Johnny Hatley then retired from football to become a rodeo performer, winning several competitions and placing thirteenth at the 1959 National Finals.

Johnny Hatley returned to pro football in 1960, being signed by the Dallas Texans and later being traded to the Denver Broncos.

Johnny Hatley was inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2004.

Johnny Hatley was born on March 16,1930, in Lometa, Texas.

Johnny Hatley's parents moved to Uvalde, Texas, in 1933, where he grew up on the family ranch.

Johnny Hatley attended Uvalde High School and was an all-around athlete, competing in track, baseball, basketball, and football.

In July 1948, it was reported that Johnny Hatley had enrolled at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

However, Johnny Hatley ended up joining Baylor University in Waco, Texas.

Johnny Hatley played as a fullback for the freshman team that year and weighed 215 pounds.

In 1949, Johnny Hatley transferred to the University of Corpus Christi, but later left for Southwest Texas Junior College.

In 1952, Johnny Hatley joined Del Mar College, but transferred before the season started to Sul Ross.

Johnny Hatley was selected in the 16th round 1953 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears.

Johnny Hatley started the 1954 season with the Bears and was reported as "the sensation of the camp so far," having "won every sprint race to date" despite gaining 15 pounds.

Johnny Hatley made one fumble recovery and returned one kickoff for eleven yards.

Johnny Hatley recorded one fumble recovery and returned two kickoffs for thirteen yards.

In July 1956, it was announced that Johnny Hatley had been traded to the Philadelphia Eagles for an undisclosed draft pick.

Johnny Hatley left the team shortly before the season started to become a full-time competitor in rodeo.

Johnny Hatley played briefly for the semi-professional Eagle Rock Athletic Club before signing with Dallas.

In 1961, Johnny Hatley was signed by the New York Titans but was released at the roster cuts.

In 1966, Johnny Hatley became the defensive coach, general manager, president, and a player for the newly formed Odessa-Midland Comets of the Texas Football League.

Johnny Hatley became interested in rodeo when at Sul Ross and competed in the sport during the football off-season each year.

Johnny Hatley placed sixth nationally in steer wrestling in 1957 and moved up to fifth in the following year.

Johnny Hatley competed only part-time in the 1960s and had his last rodeo in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 1973.

Johnny Hatley was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1998, which he described as one of the highlights of his life.

Johnny Hatley died on February 10,2001, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the age of 70.

Johnny Hatley was posthumously inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2004.