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{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Short description|American football player and coach (1938–2023)}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
{{Infobox NFL biography
|image=
|image=<!-- only free-content images are allowed for depicting living people - see [[WP:NONFREE]] -->
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1938|8|3|mf=y}}
|birth_date={{Birth date|1938|8|3|mf=y}}
|birth_place=[[Forkland, Alabama]]
|birth_place=[[Forkland, Alabama]], U.S.
|death_date=
|death_date={{Death date and age|2023|8|19|1938|8|3|mf=y}}
|death_place=[[Ithaca, New York]], U.S.
|height_ft=6
|height_ft=6
|height_in=1
|height_in=1
|weight_lbs=227
|weight_lbs=227
|position=[[Linebacker]]
|position=[[Linebacker]]
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|high_school=[[Bessemer City High School (Alabama)|Bessemer City (AL)]]
|college=[[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football|Georgia Tech]]
|college=[[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football|Georgia Tech]]
|number=55, 50
|number=55, 50
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|highlights=
|highlights=
* [[NFL champion]] ([[1960 NFL Championship Game|1960]])
* [[NFL champion]] ([[1960 NFL Championship Game|1960]])
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* 9× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1961 Pro Bowl|1960]], [[1962 Pro Bowl|1961]], [[1964 Pro Bowl|1963]]–[[1970 Pro Bowl|1969]])
* 2× First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1964 All-Pro Team|1964]], [[1969 All-Pro Team|1969]])
* 2× First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1964 All-Pro Team|1964]], [[1969 All-Pro Team|1969]])
* 5× Second-team All-Pro ([[1961 All-Pro Team|1961]], [[1965 All-Pro Team|1965]]–[[1968 All-Pro Team|1968]])
* 5× Second-team All-Pro ([[1961 All-Pro Team|1961]], [[1965 All-Pro Team|1965]]–[[1968 All-Pro Team|1968]])
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* 9× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1961 Pro Bowl|1960]], [[1962 Pro Bowl|1961]], [[1964 Pro Bowl|1963]]–[[1970 Pro Bowl|1969]])
* [[Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame]]
* [[Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame]] (2015)
* Consensus [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[1959 College Football All-America Team|1959]])
* Consensus [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[1959 College Football All-America Team|1959]])
* First-team [[List of All-SEC football teams|All-SEC]] ([[1959 All-SEC football team|1959]])
|pfr=BaugMa00
|pfr=BaugMa00
|pfrcoach=BaugMa0
|nfl=BAU355962
|nfl=BAU355962
|CollegeHOF=1739
|CollegeHOF=1739
}}
}}
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'''Maxie Callaway Baughan Jr.''' (born August 3, 1938) is a former [[American football]] [[linebacker]] who played in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) for the [[Philadelphia Eagles]], [[Los Angeles Rams (1946–94)|Los Angeles Rams]], and the [[Washington Redskins]]. Baughan played [[college football]] at [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]].


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'''Maxie Callaway Baughan Jr.''' (August 3, 1938 – August 19, 2023) was an American professional [[American football|football]] player who was a [[linebacker]] in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) for the [[Philadelphia Eagles]], [[Los Angeles Rams]], and the [[Washington Redskins]]. Baughan played [[college football]] for the [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football|Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets]].
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==College career==
While at Georgia Tech, Baughan played and started at both linebacker and [[American football|center]]. In 1959, he was Georgia Tech's captain, an [[All-America]]n, the [[Southeastern Conference]] Lineman of the Year, and the [[Most Valuable Player]] in the [[1960 Gator Bowl (January)|1960 Gator Bowl]]. He set a Georgia Tech single-season record with 124 tackles. Baughan was inducted into the [[Georgia Tech Hall of Fame]] in 1965 and the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in 1988.


==Early life and education==
==NFL career==
After attending [[Bessemer City High School (Alabama)|Bessemer City High School]] in [[Alabama]], Baughan played [[college football]] for the [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football|Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets]] from 1957 to 1959.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerb/baug00600.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Maxie Baughan Stats}}</ref> While at Georgia Tech, he played and started at both linebacker and [[American football|center]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/georgia-tech-hall-famer-nfl-player-coach-dies-age-85/7GZ7KH7TPVGXPAT7D52FIQTOAM/|publisher=[[WSB-TV]]|title=Georgia Tech Hall of Famer, NFL player-coach dies at age 85|date=August 21, 2023}}</ref> In 1959, he was Georgia Tech's captain, a consensus [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]], the [[Southeastern Conference]] Lineman of the Year, and the [[Most Valuable Player]] in the [[1960 Gator Bowl (January)|1960 Gator Bowl]].<ref name=":0" /> He set a Georgia Tech single-season record with 124 tackles.<ref name=":0" />
Baughan was selected in the second round of the [[1960 NFL Draft]] by the Eagles as the 20th player chosen overall and became an immediate starter for the team at right side linebacker. Baughan played the next 10 years in the [[National Football League|NFL]] and was voted all-pro seven times. At the conclusion of his rookie season, the Eagles won the [[1960 NFL playoffs|1960 NFL Championship]], the last title for the franchise until their victory in [[Super Bowl LII]] over the [[New England Patriots]]. Baughan was selected to the [[Pro Bowl]] for the first of nine times that year, finishing the game with three interceptions. All told, Baughan would make the Pro Bowl five out of six years during his time with the Eagles. During a December 12, 1965 in a game against the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]], the Eagles intercepted a team-record nine passes en route to a 47-13 win. Six of those points came courtesy of Baughan when he returned a first quarter interception by Steelers quarterback [[Bill Nelsen]] 33 yards for the lone touchdown of his NFL career.


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==Professional career==
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By 1966, the number of games the Eagles won had sharply declined and Baughan decided that he wanted out of Philadelphia. However, [[George Allen (American football coach)|George Allen]], who was entering his first season as an NFL head coach with the Los Angeles Rams, won the right to Baughan's services by sending two players (linebacker Fred Brown and defensive tackle Frank Molden <ref>[Street and Smith's Official Yearbook; 1966 Pro Football; page 45]</ref>) to the Eagles in return. Baughan and Allen would develop a strong relationship, spending extensive time studying game film together. Baughan would later state that he learned more about football from Allen than anyone else.<ref>[http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=4517 philadelphiaeagles.com]</ref> Baughan was chosen to be the Rams' defensive captain and was in charge of signal calling for the unit. He was selected for the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons with the Rams and was also named 1st Team All-Pro three times. After an injury-plagued 1970 season, in which he played in only 10 games, Baughan retired from the NFL.
Baughan was selected in the second round (20th overall) of the [[1960 NFL Draft]] by the [[Philadelphia Eagles]], additionally being chosen as a first-round pick in the [[1960 AFL Draft]] by the [[Oakland Raiders]].<ref name="auto"/> He joined the Eagles and became a starter immediately at the rightside linebacker position, starting nine of 12 games in his rookie season as the Eagles went on to win the [[1960 NFL Championship Game|1960 NFL Championship]] over the [[Green Bay Packers]], which remained the team's last league title until [[Super Bowl LII]] in the 2017 season.<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/la-app-super-bowl-for-app-20180204-story.html|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|title=Eagles win their first Super Bowl with 41–33 defeat of Patriots |date=February 4, 2018}}</ref> He was chosen to his first [[Pro Bowl]] that year, posting three [[interceptions]] in the game, and was also the runner-up for the NFL's rookie of the year award.<ref name="auto5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BaugMa00.htm|website=[[Pro-Football-Reference.com]]|title=Maxie Baughan Stats}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10086713-maxie-baughan-dies-at-age-85-former-eagles-rams-lb-earned-9-pro-bowl-selections|website=[[Bleacher Report]]|title=Maxie Baughan Dies at Age 85; Former Eagles, Rams LB Earned 9 Pro Bowl Selections|author=Sam, Doric|date=August 20, 2023}}</ref> He went on to play the following 10 years in the NFL and was an [[All-Pro]] selection in seven of those years.<ref name="auto5"/> Baughan played his first six years with the Eagles and earned Pro Bowl selection in all but one of those years.<ref name="auto5"/> During a game against the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] in 1965, he helped the Eagles set a team record with nine interceptions in the 47–13 win, with six of those points coming off an interception by Baughan which he returned for the only score of his career.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/where-are-they-now-lb-maxie-baughan|publisher=[[Philadelphia Eagles]]|title=Where are they now? LB Maxie Baughan |author=Gehman, Jim|date=December 31, 2020}}</ref>


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By 1966, the number of games the Eagles won had sharply declined and Baughan decided that he wanted out of Philadelphia. However, [[George Allen (American football coach)|George Allen]], who was entering his first season as an NFL head coach with the Los Angeles Rams, won the right to Baughan's services by sending two players (linebacker Fred Brown and defensive tackle Frank Molden<ref>[Street and Smith's Official Yearbook; 1966 Pro Football; page 45]</ref>) to the Eagles in return. Baughan and Allen would develop a strong relationship, spending extensive time studying game film together. Baughan would later state that he learned more about football from Allen than anyone else.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=4517 |title=philadelphiaeagles.com |access-date=September 8, 2009 |archive-date=March 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090311014658/http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=4517 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Baughan was chosen to be the Rams' defensive captain and was in charge of signal calling for the unit.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/21/sports/football/maxie-baughan-dead.html|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|title=Maxie Baughan, Feared Linebacker of the 1960s, Dies at 85|author=Williams, Alex|date=August 21, 2023}}</ref> He was selected for the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons with the Rams and was also a first-team All-Pro choice three times.<ref name="auto5"/> After an injury-plagued 1970 season, in which he played in only 10 games, Baughan retired from the NFL.<ref name="auto5"/><ref name="auto4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/where-now-maxie-baughan-183040343--nfl.html |publisher=[[Yahoo! News]]|title=Where are they now: Maxie Baughan|date=November 1, 2013|author=Crippen, Ken}}</ref>
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Baughan's contractual rights were traded along with [[Jack Pardee]], [[Myron Pottios]], [[Diron Talbert]], [[John Wilbur (American football)|John Wilbur]], [[Jeff Jordan (American football)|Jeff Jordan]] and a [[1971 NFL Draft|1971]] fifth-round pick (124th overall&ndash;traded to [[Green Bay Packers]] for [[Boyd Dowler]]) from the Rams to the [[Washington Football Team|Washington Redskins]] for [[Marlin McKeever]], first and third rounders in [[1971 NFL Draft|1971]] (10th and 63th overall&ndash;[[Isiah Robertson]] and [[Dave Elmendorf]] respectively) and third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounders in [[1972 NFL Draft|1972]] (73rd, 99th, 125th, 151st and 177th overall&ndash;to [[New England Patriots]], traded to [[Philadelphia Eagles]] for [[Joe Carollo (American football)|Joe Carollo]], [[Bob Christiansen]], [[Texas Southern Tigers football|Texas Southern]] defensive tackle Eddie Herbert and to [[New York Giants]] respectively) on January 28, 1971.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1971/01/29/archives/patriots-choose-plunkett-as-no-1-in-college-draft-spurning-trade.html Wallace, William N. "Patriots Choose Plunkett as No. 1 in College Draft, Spurning Trade Offers," ''The New York Times'', Friday, January 29, 1971.] Retrieved November 1, 2020</ref><ref>[https://www.prosportstransactions.com/football/DraftTrades/Years/1971.htm 1971 NFL Draft Pick Transactions, January 28 (Rounds 1&ndash;7) & 29 (Rounds 8&ndash;17) &ndash; Pro Sports Transactions.] Retrieved November 1, 2020</ref>


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Baughan's contractual rights were traded along with [[Jack Pardee]], [[Myron Pottios]], [[Diron Talbert]], [[John Wilbur (American football)|John Wilbur]], [[Jeff Jordan (running back)|Jeff Jordan]], and a [[1971 NFL Draft|1971]] fifth-round pick (124th overall—traded to [[Green Bay Packers]] for [[Boyd Dowler]]) from the Rams to the [[Washington Commanders|Washington Redskins]] for [[Marlin McKeever]], first and third rounders in [[1971 NFL Draft|1971]] (10th and 63rd overall—[[Isiah Robertson]] and [[Dave Elmendorf]] respectively) and third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounders in [[1972 NFL Draft|1972]] (73rd, 99th, 125th, 151st and 177th overall—to [[New England Patriots]], traded to [[Philadelphia Eagles]] for [[Joe Carollo (American football)|Joe Carollo]], [[Bob Christiansen]], [[Texas Southern Tigers football|Texas Southern]] defensive tackle Eddie Herbert and to [[New York Giants]] respectively) on January 28, 1971.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1971/01/29/archives/patriots-choose-plunkett-as-no-1-in-college-draft-spurning-trade.html Wallace, William N. "Patriots Choose Plunkett as No. 1 in College Draft, Spurning Trade Offers"], ''The New York Times'', Friday, January 29, 1971. Retrieved November 1, 2020</ref><ref>[https://www.prosportstransactions.com/football/DraftTrades/Years/1971.htm 1971 NFL Draft Pick Transactions, January 28 (Rounds 1–7) & 29 (Rounds 8–17)—Pro Sports Transactions.] Retrieved November 1, 2020</ref>
From 1972 to 1973, he was an assistant coach and defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech. In 1974, Allen, now the head coach of the Redskins, talked Baughan into a brief return to the NFL as a player-coach. At the conclusion of that season, Baughan retired. He finished with 18 interceptions (including 1 returned for a touchdown) and 10 fumble recoveries in 147 games played.

In 1974, Allen, now the head coach of the Redskins, talked Baughan into a brief return to the NFL as a player-coach.<ref name="auto3">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun/130573431/|newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun|The Evening Sun]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=February 13, 1975|page=37, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun/130577940/ 42]|title=Baughan Rejoins a Friend|author=Janofsky, Michael}} {{Open access}}</ref> He appeared in two games, mainly as a backup to [[Chris Hanburger]].<ref name="auto3"/><ref name="auto5"/> At the conclusion of that season, Baughan retired.<ref name="auto5"/> He finished with 18 interceptions (including one returned for a touchdown) and 10 fumble recoveries in 147 games played; Baughan also unofficially posted 24.5 [[Quarterback sack|sacks]].<ref name="auto5"/>


==Coaching career==
==Coaching career==
After retiring from the NFL, Baughan served as the [[defensive coordinator]] at his [[alma mater]], Georgia Tech, from 1972 to 1973.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/BaugMa0.htm|website=[[Pro-Football-Reference.com]]|title=Maxie Baughan Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks}}</ref> Following his brief return to playing in 1974, he went back into coaching by becoming the defensive coordinator for the [[Baltimore Colts]] in 1975.<ref name="auto3"/> During his time with the Colts, the team won three straight [[AFC East]] divisional championships from 1975 to 1977.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/coach/baug00600coach.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Maxie Baughan NFL Coaching Record and Bio}}</ref> He left the Colts in 1980 and then served through 1982 as the linebackers coach and defensive coordinator with the [[Detroit Lions]].<ref name="auto1"/>
From 1975 to 1982, he was a [[defensive coordinator]] for the [[Baltimore Colts]] and [[Detroit Lions]]. During his time with the Colts, the team won three straight [[AFC East]] divisional championships from 1975 to 1977. He became head football coach at [[Cornell University]] in 1983, and his 1988 team was co-champion of the [[Ivy League]]. It was Cornell's first championship since 1971. Baughan was forced to resign as head coach at Cornell after information surfaced about an affair he had with an assistant coach's wife.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Raeke|first1=Carolyn|title=CORNELL'S FOOTBALL PROGRAM IS ROCKED BY CONTROVERSY PAPER SAYS BAUGHAN HAS HAD LONG RELATIONSHIP WITH ASSISTANT'S WIFE|url=http://buffalonews.com/1989/04/15/cornells-football-program-is-rocked-by-controversy-paper-says-baughan-has-had-long-relationship-with-assistants-wife/|website=buffalonews.com|publisher=The Buffalo News|access-date=June 19, 2017}}</ref> Baughan then returned to the NFL for stints as an assistant with the [[Minnesota Vikings]], the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] and, finally, the [[Baltimore Ravens]]. He retired from coaching in 1998.

Baughan was named head coach of the [[Cornell Big Red football|Cornell Big Red]] college football team in 1983.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle/130573881/|newspaper=[[Democrat and Chronicle]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 2, 1983|page=60, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle/130574021/ 64]|title=Textbooks first, TDs second for Cornell's Maxie Baughan|author=Lawrence, Mitch}} {{Open access}}</ref> He led them to the [[Ivy League]] championship in 1988, their first since 1971.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.syracuse.com/sports/2023/08/former-nfl-star-cornell-football-coach-maxie-baughan-dies-in-ithaca-at-85.html|website=[[Syracuse.com]]|title=Former NFL star, Cornell football coach Maxie Baughan dies in Ithaca at 85|date=August 21, 2023|agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> However, he was forced to resign before the next season after information surfaced about an affair he had with an assistant coach's wife.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Raeke |first1=Carolyn |title=CORNELL'S FOOTBALL PROGRAM IS ROCKED BY CONTROVERSY PAPER SAYS BAUGHAN HAS HAD LONG RELATIONSHIP WITH ASSISTANT'S WIFE |url=http://buffalonews.com/1989/04/15/cornells-football-program-is-rocked-by-controversy-paper-says-baughan-has-had-long-relationship-with-assistants-wife/ |newspaper=[[The Buffalo News]] |access-date=June 19, 2017 |date=April 15, 1989}}</ref> Baughan then coached a team in [[Japan]] in 1989 before returning to the NFL in 1990 as linebackers coach of the [[Minnesota Vikings]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-news/130574734/|newspaper=[[The Courier-News]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=March 7, 1990|page=24|title=Maxie Baughan joining Vikings}} {{Open access}}</ref> Following two years with Minnesota, he coached the linebackers for the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] from 1992 to 1995, and then served in that same role with the [[Baltimore Ravens]] from 1996 until retiring after 1998.<ref name="auto2"/>

==Death==
Baughan died in [[Ithaca, New York]], on August 19, 2023, at the age of 85.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Spadaro |first1=Dave |title=Eagles mourn the passing of Hall of Fame LB Maxie Baughan |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/maxie-baughan-eagles-mourn-passing |access-date=August 20, 2023 |publisher=Philadelphia Eagles |date=August 20, 2023}}</ref>


==Honors==
==Honors==
In addition to being a member of the Georgia Tech and College Football Halls of Fame, Baughan has also been inducted into the [[Georgia Sports Hall of Fame]] (1980), the [[Alabama Sports Hall of Fame]] (1983) and the Gator Bowl Hall of Fame. However, he has not yet been inducted into the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]. In 2005, he was named to the [[Professional Football Researchers Association]] Hall of Very Good in the association's third HOVG class.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/hall-of-very-good-2004.htm |title=Hall of Very Good |access-date=July 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005051004/http://www.profootballresearchers.org/hall-of-very-good-2004.htm |archive-date=October 5, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Baughan was inducted into the [[Georgia Tech Hall of Fame]] in 1965 and the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in 1988.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ramblinwreck.com/georgia-tech-football-mourns-the-passing-of-maxie-baughan/|publisher=[[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets]]|title=Georgia Tech Football Mourns the Passing of Maxie Baughan|date=August 20, 2023}}</ref> He was also inducted into the [[Georgia Sports Hall of Fame]] in 1980, the [[Alabama Sports Hall of Fame]] in 1983, the [[Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame]] in 2012, and the Gator Bowl Hall of Fame.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.georgiasportshalloffame.com/class-of-1980|publisher=[[Georgia Sports Hall of Fame]]|title=Class of 1980}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ashof.org/inductees/maxie-baughan/|publisher=[[Alabama Sports Hall of Fame]]|title=Maxie Baughan|date=September 12, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/sports/20120720_Philly_sports_hall_announces_newest_class.html|newspaper=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]|title=Philly sports hall announces newest class|date=July 20, 2012|author=Jerardi, Dick|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cornellbigred.com/news/2023/8/20/college-football-hall-of-famer-maxie-baughan-passes-away.aspx|publisher=[[Cornell Big Red]]|title=College Football Hall of Famer Maxie Baughan Passes Away|date=August 20, 2023}}</ref>


Despite his NFL accomplishments, Baughan has not been elected to the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]. Several sources have considered him among the best players not inducted.<ref name="auto4"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/151178-crazy-canton-cuts-maxie-baughan|website=[[Bleacher Report]]|title=Crazy Canton Cuts = Maxie Baughan|author=Nix, JW|date=April 5, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/opinion/op-ed/bs-ed-op-0810-football-hof-seniors-20210809-neorrnghzffspm6lqfxhmrlvsm-story.html|newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|title=Pro Football Hall of Fame rules cheat deserving players out of induction|author=Laird, Bruce|author-link=Bruce Laird (American football)|date=August 9, 2021|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://insidetheiggles.com/posts/compelling-arguments-for-inducting-two-eagles-legends-pro-football-hall-of-fame|website=[[FanSided]]|title=Compelling arguments for finally inducting two often-ignored Eagles into the Pro Football Hall of Fame |author=Knox, Geoffrey|date=July 13, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rickgosselin.com/state-your-case-maxie-baughan/|website=RickGosselin.com|author=Gosselin, Rick|author-link=Rick Gosselin|title=State Your Case: Maxie Baughan|date=April 2015}}</ref> In 2005, he was named to the [[Professional Football Researchers Association]]'s Hall of Very Good in the association's third HOVG class, an honor for the best players not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/hall-of-very-good-2004.htm |title=Hall of Very Good |access-date=July 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005051004/http://www.profootballresearchers.org/hall-of-very-good-2004.htm |archive-date=October 5, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was reportedly a favorite among Hall of Fame selectors for the class of 2020, but was not elected.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/duke-slater-maxie-baughan-are-seniors-hall-of-fame-favorites|publisher=[[NBC Sports]]|title=Duke Slater, Maxie Baughan are seniors Hall of Fame favorites|author=Williams, Charean|author-link=Charean Williams|date=July 5, 2019}}</ref> He was also a finalist for the classes of 2023 and 2024, but missed selection both times.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://denversports.com/2099823/is-this-the-time-that-randy-gradishars-long-hall-of-fame-wait-finally-ends/|website=Denver Sports|title=Is this the time that Randy Gradishar's long Hall of Fame wait finally ends?|author=Mason, Andrew|date=August 12, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/sports/2023/08/pro-football-hall-of-fame-committee-rebuffs-maxie-baughan.html|website=[[AL.com]]|title=Pro Football Hall of Fame committee rebuffs Maxie Baughan|date=August 23, 2023|author=Inabinett, Mark}}</ref>
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In 2012 Baughan received the [[Outstanding Eagle Scout Award]] from the [[National Eagle Scout Association]] of the [[Boy Scouts of America]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Baughan and top Scouts speak at annual breakfast |date=March 26, 2011 |work=Carroll Eagle |publisher=Patuxant Publishing |url=http://archives.explorecarroll.com/news/5295/baughan-top-scouts-speak-annual-breakfast/ |access-date=May 5, 2012}}</ref> On August 4, 2015, the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] announced that Baughan will be inducted into the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame on Monday, October 19 when the team hosts the [[New York Giants]] on [[Monday Night Football]].

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In 2012, Baughan received the [[Outstanding Eagle Scout Award]] from the [[National Eagle Scout Association]] of the [[Boy Scouts of America]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Baughan and top Scouts speak at annual breakfast |date=March 26, 2011 |work=Carroll Eagle |publisher=Patuxant Publishing |url=http://archives.explorecarroll.com/news/5295/baughan-top-scouts-speak-annual-breakfast/ |access-date=May 5, 2012 |archive-date=December 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224114049/http://archives.explorecarroll.com/news/5295/baughan-top-scouts-speak-annual-breakfast/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Baughan was inducted into the [[Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame]] on October 19, 2015, during the team's ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' game against the [[New York Giants]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/baughan-westbrook-headed-to-hall-of-fame-15584445|publisher=[[Philadelphia Eagles]]|title=Baughan, Westbrook Headed to Hall of Fame |date=August 4, 2015}}</ref>


==Head coaching record==
==Head coaching record==
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==External links==
==External links==
* {{College Football HoF|1739}}
{{Portal|Biography}}
* {{cfbhof|id=1739|name=Maxie Baughan}}


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{{1996 Baltimore Ravens}}
{{1996 Baltimore Ravens}}
{{Eagles Hall of Fame}}
{{Eagles Hall of Fame}}
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[[Category:1938 births]]
[[Category:1938 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2023 deaths]]
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Latest revision as of 19:25, 8 April 2024

Maxie Baughan
No. 55, 50
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born:(1938-08-03)August 3, 1938
Forkland, Alabama, U.S.
Died:August 19, 2023(2023-08-19) (aged 85)
Ithaca, New York, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:227 lb (103 kg)
Career information
High school:Bessemer City (AL)
College:Georgia Tech
NFL draft:1960 / Round: 2 / Pick: 20
AFL draft:1960 / Round: 1
Career history
As a player:
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:147
Games started:129
Interceptions:18
Player stats at PFR
Coaching stats at PFR

Maxie Callaway Baughan Jr. (August 3, 1938 – August 19, 2023) was an American professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, and the Washington Redskins. Baughan played college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Early life and education[edit]

After attending Bessemer City High School in Alabama, Baughan played college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets from 1957 to 1959.[1] While at Georgia Tech, he played and started at both linebacker and center.[2] In 1959, he was Georgia Tech's captain, a consensus All-American, the Southeastern Conference Lineman of the Year, and the Most Valuable Player in the 1960 Gator Bowl.[2] He set a Georgia Tech single-season record with 124 tackles.[2]

Professional career[edit]

Baughan was selected in the second round (20th overall) of the 1960 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, additionally being chosen as a first-round pick in the 1960 AFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders.[1] He joined the Eagles and became a starter immediately at the rightside linebacker position, starting nine of 12 games in his rookie season as the Eagles went on to win the 1960 NFL Championship over the Green Bay Packers, which remained the team's last league title until Super Bowl LII in the 2017 season.[1][3] He was chosen to his first Pro Bowl that year, posting three interceptions in the game, and was also the runner-up for the NFL's rookie of the year award.[4][5] He went on to play the following 10 years in the NFL and was an All-Pro selection in seven of those years.[4] Baughan played his first six years with the Eagles and earned Pro Bowl selection in all but one of those years.[4] During a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1965, he helped the Eagles set a team record with nine interceptions in the 47–13 win, with six of those points coming off an interception by Baughan which he returned for the only score of his career.[6]

By 1966, the number of games the Eagles won had sharply declined and Baughan decided that he wanted out of Philadelphia. However, George Allen, who was entering his first season as an NFL head coach with the Los Angeles Rams, won the right to Baughan's services by sending two players (linebacker Fred Brown and defensive tackle Frank Molden[7]) to the Eagles in return. Baughan and Allen would develop a strong relationship, spending extensive time studying game film together. Baughan would later state that he learned more about football from Allen than anyone else.[8] Baughan was chosen to be the Rams' defensive captain and was in charge of signal calling for the unit.[9] He was selected for the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons with the Rams and was also a first-team All-Pro choice three times.[4] After an injury-plagued 1970 season, in which he played in only 10 games, Baughan retired from the NFL.[4][10]

Baughan's contractual rights were traded along with Jack Pardee, Myron Pottios, Diron Talbert, John Wilbur, Jeff Jordan, and a 1971 fifth-round pick (124th overall—traded to Green Bay Packers for Boyd Dowler) from the Rams to the Washington Redskins for Marlin McKeever, first and third rounders in 1971 (10th and 63rd overall—Isiah Robertson and Dave Elmendorf respectively) and third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounders in 1972 (73rd, 99th, 125th, 151st and 177th overall—to New England Patriots, traded to Philadelphia Eagles for Joe Carollo, Bob Christiansen, Texas Southern defensive tackle Eddie Herbert and to New York Giants respectively) on January 28, 1971.[11][12]

In 1974, Allen, now the head coach of the Redskins, talked Baughan into a brief return to the NFL as a player-coach.[13] He appeared in two games, mainly as a backup to Chris Hanburger.[13][4] At the conclusion of that season, Baughan retired.[4] He finished with 18 interceptions (including one returned for a touchdown) and 10 fumble recoveries in 147 games played; Baughan also unofficially posted 24.5 sacks.[4]

Coaching career[edit]

After retiring from the NFL, Baughan served as the defensive coordinator at his alma mater, Georgia Tech, from 1972 to 1973.[14] Following his brief return to playing in 1974, he went back into coaching by becoming the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Colts in 1975.[13] During his time with the Colts, the team won three straight AFC East divisional championships from 1975 to 1977.[15] He left the Colts in 1980 and then served through 1982 as the linebackers coach and defensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions.[15]

Baughan was named head coach of the Cornell Big Red college football team in 1983.[16] He led them to the Ivy League championship in 1988, their first since 1971.[17] However, he was forced to resign before the next season after information surfaced about an affair he had with an assistant coach's wife.[18] Baughan then coached a team in Japan in 1989 before returning to the NFL in 1990 as linebackers coach of the Minnesota Vikings.[19] Following two years with Minnesota, he coached the linebackers for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1992 to 1995, and then served in that same role with the Baltimore Ravens from 1996 until retiring after 1998.[14]

Death[edit]

Baughan died in Ithaca, New York, on August 19, 2023, at the age of 85.[20]

Honors[edit]

Baughan was inducted into the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame in 1965 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1988.[21] He was also inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1980, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1983, the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in 2012, and the Gator Bowl Hall of Fame.[22][23][24][25]

Despite his NFL accomplishments, Baughan has not been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Several sources have considered him among the best players not inducted.[10][26][27][28][29] In 2005, he was named to the Professional Football Researchers Association's Hall of Very Good in the association's third HOVG class, an honor for the best players not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.[30] He was reportedly a favorite among Hall of Fame selectors for the class of 2020, but was not elected.[31] He was also a finalist for the classes of 2023 and 2024, but missed selection both times.[32][33]

In 2012, Baughan received the Outstanding Eagle Scout Award from the National Eagle Scout Association of the Boy Scouts of America.[34] Baughan was inducted into the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame on October 19, 2015, during the team's Monday Night Football game against the New York Giants.[35]

Head coaching record[edit]

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Cornell Big Red (Ivy League) (1983–1988)
1983 Cornell 3–6–1 3–3–1 5th
1984 Cornell 2–7 2–5 T–6th
1985 Cornell 3–7 2–5 7th
1986 Cornell 8–2 6–1 2nd
1987 Cornell 5–5 4–3 T–4th
1988 Cornell 7–2–1 6–1 T–1st
Cornell: 28–29–2 23–18–1
Total: 28–29–2
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Maxie Baughan Stats". Pro Football Archives.
  2. ^ a b c "Georgia Tech Hall of Famer, NFL player-coach dies at age 85". WSB-TV. August 21, 2023.
  3. ^ "Eagles win their first Super Bowl with 41–33 defeat of Patriots". Los Angeles Times. February 4, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "Maxie Baughan Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  5. ^ Sam, Doric (August 20, 2023). "Maxie Baughan Dies at Age 85; Former Eagles, Rams LB Earned 9 Pro Bowl Selections". Bleacher Report.
  6. ^ Gehman, Jim (December 31, 2020). "Where are they now? LB Maxie Baughan". Philadelphia Eagles.
  7. ^ [Street and Smith's Official Yearbook; 1966 Pro Football; page 45]
  8. ^ "philadelphiaeagles.com". Archived from the original on March 11, 2009. Retrieved September 8, 2009.
  9. ^ Williams, Alex (August 21, 2023). "Maxie Baughan, Feared Linebacker of the 1960s, Dies at 85". The New York Times.
  10. ^ a b Crippen, Ken (November 1, 2013). "Where are they now: Maxie Baughan". Yahoo! News.
  11. ^ Wallace, William N. "Patriots Choose Plunkett as No. 1 in College Draft, Spurning Trade Offers", The New York Times, Friday, January 29, 1971. Retrieved November 1, 2020
  12. ^ 1971 NFL Draft Pick Transactions, January 28 (Rounds 1–7) & 29 (Rounds 8–17)—Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved November 1, 2020
  13. ^ a b c Janofsky, Michael (February 13, 1975). "Baughan Rejoins a Friend". The Evening Sun. p. 37, 42 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  14. ^ a b "Maxie Baughan Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  15. ^ a b "Maxie Baughan NFL Coaching Record and Bio". Pro Football Archives.
  16. ^ Lawrence, Mitch (September 2, 1983). "Textbooks first, TDs second for Cornell's Maxie Baughan". Democrat and Chronicle. p. 60, 64 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  17. ^ "Former NFL star, Cornell football coach Maxie Baughan dies in Ithaca at 85". Syracuse.com. Associated Press. August 21, 2023.
  18. ^ Raeke, Carolyn (April 15, 1989). "CORNELL'S FOOTBALL PROGRAM IS ROCKED BY CONTROVERSY PAPER SAYS BAUGHAN HAS HAD LONG RELATIONSHIP WITH ASSISTANT'S WIFE". The Buffalo News. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  19. ^ "Maxie Baughan joining Vikings". The Courier-News. March 7, 1990. p. 24 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  20. ^ Spadaro, Dave (August 20, 2023). "Eagles mourn the passing of Hall of Fame LB Maxie Baughan". Philadelphia Eagles. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  21. ^ "Georgia Tech Football Mourns the Passing of Maxie Baughan". Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. August 20, 2023.
  22. ^ "Class of 1980". Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.
  23. ^ "Maxie Baughan". Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. September 12, 2019.
  24. ^ Jerardi, Dick (July 20, 2012). "Philly sports hall announces newest class". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  25. ^ "College Football Hall of Famer Maxie Baughan Passes Away". Cornell Big Red. August 20, 2023.
  26. ^ Nix, JW (April 5, 2009). "Crazy Canton Cuts = Maxie Baughan". Bleacher Report.
  27. ^ Laird, Bruce (August 9, 2021). "Pro Football Hall of Fame rules cheat deserving players out of induction". The Baltimore Sun.
  28. ^ Knox, Geoffrey (July 13, 2023). "Compelling arguments for finally inducting two often-ignored Eagles into the Pro Football Hall of Fame". FanSided.
  29. ^ Gosselin, Rick (April 2015). "State Your Case: Maxie Baughan". RickGosselin.com.
  30. ^ "Hall of Very Good". Archived from the original on October 5, 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  31. ^ Williams, Charean (July 5, 2019). "Duke Slater, Maxie Baughan are seniors Hall of Fame favorites". NBC Sports.
  32. ^ Mason, Andrew (August 12, 2022). "Is this the time that Randy Gradishar's long Hall of Fame wait finally ends?". Denver Sports.
  33. ^ Inabinett, Mark (August 23, 2023). "Pro Football Hall of Fame committee rebuffs Maxie Baughan". AL.com.
  34. ^ "Baughan and top Scouts speak at annual breakfast". Carroll Eagle. Patuxant Publishing. March 26, 2011. Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
  35. ^ "Baughan, Westbrook Headed to Hall of Fame". Philadelphia Eagles. August 4, 2015.

External links[edit]

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