Ira Valentine

Valentine while at Texas A&M
No. 45
Position:	Running back
Personal information
Born:	(1963-06-04)June 4, 1963 Marshall, Texas, U.S.
Died:	July 6, 2022(2022-07-06) (aged 59)
Height:	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:	212 lb (96 kg)
Career information
High school:	Marshall (TX)
College:	Texas A&M
NFL draft:	1987 / Round: 12 / Pick: 314
Career history
Houston Oilers ( 1987– 1988) Tampa Bay Buccaneers ( 1989)*
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 7 Rush attempts: 5 Rushing yards: 10 Receptions: 2 Receiving yards: 10 Kick returns: 1 Return yards: 13
Player stats at NFL.com ·  PFR

Ira Lynn Valentine (June 4, 1963 – July 6, 2022) was an American football running back who played one season in the National Football League (NFL) for the Houston Oilers. He played college football at Texas A&M and also had a stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Early life and education

Valentine was born on June 4, 1963, in Marshall, Texas to Maudell and Ira Valentine. ^[1] He attended Marshall High School and played football. He played on defense for his first three seasons, only seeing time as a running back in his senior year. ^[2] As a senior, Valentine ran 174 times for 858 yards (a 4.9 yard average) and scored nine touchdowns. ^[2]

After graduating from high school, Valentine committed to Texas A&M University, joining two of his former Marshall teammates. ^[3] He was the first Marshall player to sign a letter-of-intent in 1982, signing at 8 a.m. on February 10, the earliest possible time. ^[4] For his first season at the school, he played on the junior varsity football team. ^[5]

Valentine made the varsity roster in 1983 as the backup fullback. ^[6] However, he suffered an injury and did not play. ^[1] In 1984, Valentine played as a reserve fullback and return specialist. ^{[7] [8]} Valentine saw his first "extensive playing time" in 1985 and was the team's top blocking back. ^[9] He scored his first career touchdown in a 43–16 win over Houston in week five and scored a key two-point conversion in the Aggies' 28–27 win versus the Texas Tech Red Raiders two weeks earlier. ^[9]

Valentine saw more time as a ball-carrier in 1986 due to the departure of Anthony Toney. ^[10] He finished his college career with 101 touches for 486 yards and six touchdowns. ^[11]

Professional career

Valentine was selected in the 12th round (314th overall) of the 1987 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers. ^{[12] [13]} "Ira was the fastest player at his position still available when it came our turn," said Oilers' head coach Jerry Glanville, as Valentine had run a 4.40 second 40-yard dash in college. ^[14] "That's what we look for in our 12th round pick ... the fastest player available at his position." ^[14] He reported to camp at the beginning of May. ^[13] He was officially signed by the team in mid-July. ^[15] In two preseason games against the Indianapolis Colts, Valentine ran for 65 yards on 15 carries. ^[16] He survived the final roster cuts on September 7 and made his NFL debut in week one against the Los Angeles Rams, in a 20–16 win. ^{[16] [17]}

Valentine did not play again until week ten, a 23–3 win at the Pittsburgh Steelers. ^[17] In the game, he recorded three rush attempts for five yards as well as two receptions for 10 yards. ^[17] He also appeared in five other games: week eleven, a 7–40 loss versus the Cleveland Browns; week twelve, a 27–51 loss at the Indianapolis Colts; week thirteen, a 33–18 win over the San Diego Chargers, in which he recorded two rushes for five yards; week fourteen, a 10–24 loss at the New Orleans Saints; and week sixteen, a 21–17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, in which he recorded one kickoff return for 13 yards. ^[17] He also appeared in two playoff games, in a win over the Seattle Seahawks and in a loss to the Denver Broncos. ^[17] Valentine finished the season with five rushes for 10 yards, two catches for 10 yards, and one kickoff return for 13 yards for a total of 33 all-purpose yards. ^[17] He appeared in seven total games as well as two playoff games. ^[17]

Valentine entered the 1988 season competing with Alonzo Highsmith, Mike Rozier, Lorenzo White, Allen Pinkett, Spencer Tillman, and Ray Wallace for the starting running back job. ^[18] He was released at the final roster cuts in August. ^[19]

Valentine received a tryout with the St. Louis Cardinals in October 1988, but was not signed. ^[20] In January 1989, he signed a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. ^[21] He was released at the final roster cuts in August and did not sign another NFL contract afterwards. ^[22]

Later life and death

Valentine returned to East Texas, where he grew up, after his football career ended and worked at a forging plant. ^{[23] [24]} He died July 6, 2022, at the age of 59, from a heart attack. ^[11]

References

External links

• Helsen, Louis (June 10, 1990). "Ira Valentine still clinging to dream". The Marshall News Messenger. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.