Adrian Young Irish-Born Professional and College American Football Player 1964-1975

Gridiron Football Irish American Football Players Irish-Born AAA Football Players Irish-Born NCAA Football Players Irish-Born NFL Players Irish-Born Pro American Football Players

Adrian Young

Born: January 3, 1946 in Dublin, Ireland

Metrics:  Height: 6-1, Weight: 232

High School: Bishop Amat High School, La Puente, Los Angeles.

College: University of Southern California Trojans 1964-1967.

Draft: 3rd Round (68th Overall), Philadelphia Eagles 1968

Professional: Philadelphia Eagles (National Football League) 1968-1972, Detroit Lions (National Football League) 1972, Chicago Bears (National Football League) 1973, The Hawaiians (World Football League) 1974-1975.

Position: Linebacker

Honors: National Champion with University of Southern California 1967. All-American and All-Conference Player Award 1967

Career Statistics (Professional): Games: 52; Season Average: 15; Interceptions; 3; Yards: 19; Touchdowns: 0

Biography:

Adrian Young was born in Dublin and grew up in Albert Court, ‘a tough place’, across from Boland Mills, the famous bread company. He would go to hurling and football matches at Croke Park and got to participate in a track meet there, an experience which meant a lot to him. He got involved through his father in soccer in the Phoenix Park. It was the middle of the 1950s, however, and there was a large amount of emigration. Adrian’s father followed in some of his siblings footsteps and moved to Baltimore. The rest of the family arrived by boat in New York from Cobh in Cork once Adrian father had settled there.

It was not long before California beckoned and they drove in a 1953 Ford all the way along the Appalachian Trail and Route 66 before setting in La Puente, about half an hour from downtown Los Angeles. While in Los Angeles Adrian attended Bishop Amat High School, and with no Soccer on the activities list Adrian joined the Football program. winning an Inter-State Championship. Despite being slight at 165 pounds Young dedicated himself to training and he won a scholarship to the University of Southern California.

At USC he was co-captain of a side featuring O.J. Simpson, Tim Rossovich and Ron Yary, all legendary American footballers. It was during one game against longtime rival Notre Dame that Young made National Football League teams sit up and notice. He made four interceptions in the game, tying a conference record. The Los Angeles Times called it “Young’s greatest day.” USC went to the Rose Bowl twice during Young’s career. In 1967, behind O.J. Simpson, one of the greatest pro and college players ever, USC won the national championship. Young was selected as an All-Conference and All-American player. , significant awards.

Simpson carved out a stellar career with the Buffalo Bills in the NFL while Yary was the first draft pick 12 months later and became a star with the Minnesota Vikings. Rossovich was, like Young, drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. Rossovich had roomed with Tom Selleck at USC and became a Hollywood stuntman after his football career. Young and Rossovich roomed together while at the Eagles. At USC, Young remembers rubbing shoulders with billionaires and the Hollywood Elite. He recalls going to parties and seeing Oscars in the dens of some of the houses.

He recalled that he was fortunate to stay injury-free in college, but in the tougher world of the NFL he was getting beat up more including tearing ligaments in his right knee. He was a starting linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles for four and a half years.He then played half a year for the Detroit Lions, one year for the Chicago Bears and two for the Hawaiians in the World Football League. His time at Philadelphia wasn’t as successful as in college as the Eagles went through numerous coaching changes, but he said he got to play six years in the National Football League and nothing could take away from that.

Adrian Young (35) Philadelphia Eagles v NY Giants Preseason 1971 [Ref: 7]

Adrian Young Career Statistics

YearTeamLeagueNoPositionGPGS
1968Philadelphia EaglesNFL35LLB10
1969PhiladelphiaEaglesNFL35LLB131970
1970Philadelphia EaglesNFL35LLB14
1971Philadelphia EaglesNFL35RLB22
1972Philadelphia EaglesNFL35LB10
1972Detroit LionsNFL51LB100
1972YearNFL110
1973Chicago BearsNFL54LB2
1974The HawaiiansWFL61RLB
1975The HawaiiansWFL65WLB
Adrian Young Career Record [Ref: 5]

Legend: NFL = National Football League. WFL = World Football League. No. = Shirt Number. LLB = Left Linebacker. RLB = Right Linebacker. LB = Linebacker. WLB = Wide Linebacker. GP = Games Played. GS = Games Started.

Interceptions

YearTeamLeagueNo. YDSAVGLGTD
1969Philadelphia EaglesNFL100.000
1970Philadelphia EaglesNFL2199.5130
1974The HawaiiansWFL11111.0110
1975The HawaiiansWFL23819.0190
Adrian Young Interceptions [Ref: 5]

Legend: NFL = National Football League. WFL = World Football League. No. = Number of Interceptions Made. YDS = Yards Returned. AVG = Average Yards Returned. LG = Longest Yards returned. TD = Interceptions Returned for Touchdowns.

Fumbles

YearTeamLeagueNoLostOwnOppRecYdsTD
1968PhiladelphiaEaglesNFL00011110
1969Philadelphia EaglesNFL00123240
Adrian Young Fumbles [Ref: 5]

NFL = National Football League. No. = Number of Interceptions Made. Lost = Fumbles Made (Lost). Own = fumbles Recovered (Own Team). Opp = Fumbles Recovered (Opposing Team). Rec = Total Fumbles Received. YDS = Yards Returned. TD = Interceptions Returned for Touchdowns.

AAWU (College) 1964

OWOLOTPctCWCLCTPct
Oregon State Beavers830.727310.750
USC Southern Califonia Trojans730.700310.750
Washington Huskies640.600520.714
UCLA California-Los Angeles Bruins460.400220.500
Stanford Cardinal550.500340.429
Oregon Ducks721.750121.375
Washington State Cougars361.350121.375
California Golden Bears370.300040.000
Athletic Association of Western Universities Standings 1964 [Ref: 6]

Adrian Young, LB, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, played Linebacker for the Southern California Trojans in 1964. [2] Note: OW=Overall Wins, OL= Overall Losses, OT=Overall Ties, CW=Conference Wins (AAWU), CL=Conference Losses (AAWU), CT=Conference Ties (AAWU)

AAWU (College) 1965

OWOLOTPctCWCLCTPct
UCLA California-Los Angeles Bruins821.7734001.000
USC Southern California Trojans721.750410.800
Washington State Cougars730.700210.667
Washington Huskies550.500430.571
Stanford Cardinal631.650230.400
California Golden Bears550.500230.400
Oregon State Beavers550.500130.250
Oregon Ducks451.450050.000
Athletic Association of Western Universities Standings 1965 [Ref: 7]

Adrian Young, LB, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, played Linebacker for the Southern California Trojans in 1965. [2] Note: OW=Overall Wins, OL= Overall Losses, OT=Overall Ties, CW=Conference Wins (AAWU), CL=Conference Losses (AAWU), CT=Conference Ties (AAWU)

AAWU (College) 1966

OWOLOTPctCWCLCTPct
USC Southern California Trojans740.636410.800
UCLA California-Los Angeles Bruins910.900310.750
Oregon State Beavers730.700310.750
Washington Huskies640.600430.571
California Golden Bears370.300230.500
Stanford Cardinal550.500140.200
Oregon Ducks370.300130.250
Washington State Cougars370.300130.250
Athletic Association of Western Universities Standings 1966 [Ref: 8]

Adrian Young, LB, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, played Linebacker for the Southern California Trojans in 1966. [2] Note: OW=Overall Wins, OL= Overall Losses, OT=Overall Ties, CW=Conference Wins (AAWU), CL=Conference Losses (AAWU), CT=Conference Ties (AAWU)

AAWU (College) 1967

OWOLOTPctCWCLCTPct
USC Southern California Trojans1010.909610.857
Oregon State Beavers721.750411.750
UCLA California-Los Angeles Bruins721.750411.750
California Golden Bears550.500230.400
Stanford Cardinal550.500340.429
Washington Huskies550.500340.429
Oregon Ducks280.200150.167
Washington State Cougars280.200150.167
Athletic Association of Western Universities Standings 1967 [Ref: 9]

Adrian Young, LB, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, played Linebacker for the Southern California Trojans in 1967. [2] Note: OW=Overall Wins, OL= Overall Losses, OT=Overall Ties, CW=Conference Wins (AAWU), CL=Conference Losses (AAWU), CT=Conference Ties (AAWU)

NFL & AFL 1968

PWLTPFPAPct
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Eastern Conference Capitol Division
*Dallas Cowboys141220431186.857
New York Giants14770294325.500
Washington Redskins14590249358.357
Philadelphia Eagles142120202351.143
Eastern Conference Century Division
*Cleveland Browns141040394273.714
St. Louis Cardinals14941325289.692
New Orleans Saints14491246327.308
Pittsburgh Steelers142111244397.154
Western Conference Coastal Division
*Baltimore Colts141310402144.929
Los Angeles Rams141031312200.769
San Francisco 49ers14761303310.538
Atlanta Falcons142120170389.143
Western Conference Central Division
*Minnesota Vikings14860282242.571
Chicago Bears14770250233.500
Green Bay Packers14671281227.462
Detroit Lions14482207241.333
AMERICAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Eastern Division
*New York Jets141130419280.786
Houston Oilers14770303248.500
Miami Dolphins14581276355.385
Boston Patriots144100229406.286
Buffalo Bills141121199367.077
Western Division
*Oakland Raiders141220453233.857
*Kansas City Chiefs141220371170.857
San Diego Chargers14950382310.643
Denver Broncos14590255404.357
Cincinnati Bengals143110215329.214
National Football League and American Football League Standings 1968 [Ref: 1]
DateHome TeamAway Team
NFL Conference Championships
1968Cleveland Browns31Dallas Cowboys0
1968Baltimore Colts24Minnesota Vikings14
NFL Championship
1968Cleveland Browns0Baltimore Colts34
AFL Western Division Playoff
1968Oakland Raiders41Kansas City Chiefs6
AFL Championship
1968New York Jets27Oakland Raiders23
Super Bowl IIIOrange Bowl, Miami, Florida
1968New York Jets (AFL)16Baltimore Colts (NFL)7
National Football League and American Football League Playoffs 1968 [Ref: 1]

Adrian Young, LB, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, played Linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1968. [2]

NFL & AFL 1969

PWLTPFPAPct
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Eastern Conference Capitol Division
*Dallas Cowboys141121369223.846
Washington Redskins14752307319.583
New Orleans Saints14590311393.357
Philadelphia Eagles14491279377.308
Eastern Conference Century Division
*Cleveland Browns141031351300.769
New York Giants14680264298.429
St. Louis Cardinals14491314389.308
Pittsburgh Steelers141130218404.071
Western Conference Coastal Division
*Los Angeles Rams141130320243.786
Baltimore Colts14851279268.615
Atlanta Falcons14680276268.429
San Francisco 49ers14482277319.333
Western Conference Central Division
*Minnesota Vikings141220379133.857
Detroit Lions14941259188.692
Green Bay Packers14860269221.571
Chicago Bears141130210339.071
AMERICAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Eastern Division
*New York Jets141040353269.714
Houston Oilers14662278279.500
Boston Patriots144100266316.286
Buffalo Bills144100230359.286
Miami Dolphins143101233332.231
Western Division
*Oakland Raiders141211371242.923
Kansas City Chiefs141130359177.786
San Diego Chargers14860268276.571
Denver Broncos14581297344.385
Cincinnati Bengals14491280367.308
National Football League and American Football League Standings 1969 [Ref: 1]
DateHome TeamAway Team
NFL Conference Championships
1969Dallas Cowboys14Cleveland Browns38
1969Minnesota Vikings23Los Angeles Rams20
NFL Championship
1969Minnesota Vikings27Cleveland Browns7
AFL Divisional Playoffs
1969New York Jets6Kansas City Chiefs13
1969Oakland Raiders56Houston Oilers7
AFL Championship
1969Oakland Raiders7Kansas City Chiefs17
Super Bowl IVTulane Stadium, New Orleans, La.
1969Kansas City Chiefs (AFL)23Minnesota Vikings (NFL)7
National Football League and American Football League Playoffs 1969 [Ref: 1]

Adrian Young, LB, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, played Linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1969. [2]

NFL 1970

PWLTPFPAPct
AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
AFC Eastern Division
*Baltimore Colts141121321234.846
*Miami Dolphins141040297228.714
New York Jets144100255286.286
Buffalo Bills143101204337.231
Boston Patriots142120149361.143
AFC Central Division
*Cincinnati Bengals14860312255.571
Cleveland Browns14770286265.500
Pittsburgh Steelers14590210272.357
Houston Oilers143101217352.231
AFC Western Division
*Oakland Raiders14842300293.667
Kansas City Chiefs14752272244.583
San Diego Chargers 14563282278.455
Denver Broncos14591253264.385
NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
NFC Eastern Division
*Dallas Cowboys141040299271.714
New York Giants14950301270.643
St. Louis Cardinals14851325228.615
Washington Redskins14680297314.429
Philadelphia Eagles143101241332.231
NFC Central Division
*Minnesota Vikings141220335143.857
*Detroit Lions141040347202.714
Green Bay Packers14680196293.429
Chicago Bears14680256261.429
NFC Western Division
*San Francisco 49ers141031352267.769
Los Angeles Rams14941325202.692
Atlanta Falcons14482206261.333
New Orleans Saints142111172347.154
National Football League Standings 1970 [Ref: 1]
DateHome TeamAway Team
AFC Divisional Playoffs
1970Baltimore Colts17Cincinnati Bengals0
1970Oakland Raiders21Miami Dolphins14
AFC Championship
1970Baltimore Colts27Oakland Raiders17
NFC Divisional Playoffs
1970Dallas Cowboys5Detroit Lions0
1970Minnesota Vikings14San Francisco 49ers17
NFC Championship
1970San Francisco 49ers10Dallas Cowboys17
Super Bowl VOrange Bowl, Miami, Florida
1970Baltimore Colts (AFC)16Dallas Cowboys (NFC)13
National Football League Playoffs 1970 [Ref: 1]

Adrian Young, LB, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, played Linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1970. [2]

NFL 1971

PWL`TPFPAPct
AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
AFC Eastern Division
*Miami Dolphins141031315174.769
*Baltimore Colts141040313140.714
New England Patriots14680238325.429
New York Jets14680212299.429
Buffalo Bills141130184394.071
AFC Central Division
*Cleveland Browns14950285273.643
Pittsburgh Steelers14680246292.429
Houston Oilers14491251330.308
Cleveland Browns144100284265.286
AFC Western Division
*Kansas City Chiefs141031302208.789
Oakland Raiders14842344278.667
San Diego Chargers14680311341.429
Denver Broncos14491203275.308
NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
NFC Eastern Division
*Dallas Cowboys141130406222.786
*Washington Redskins14941276190.692
Philadelphia Eagles14671221302.462
St. Louis Cardinals14491231279.308
New York Giants144100228362.286
NFC Central Division
*Minnesota Vikings141130245139.786
Detroit Lions14761341286.538
Chicago Bears14680185276.429
Green Bay Packers14482274298.333
NFC Western Division
*San Francisco 49ers14950300216.643
Los Angeles Rams14851313260.615
Atlanta Falcons14761274277.538
New Orleans Saints14482266347.333
National Football League Standings 1971 [Ref: 1]

Adrian Young, LB, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, played Linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1971. [2]

NFL 1972

PWLTPFPAPct
AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
AFC Eastern Division
*Miami Dolphins1414003851711.000
New York Jets14770367324.500
Baltimore Colts14590235252.357
Buffalo Bills14491257377.321
New England Patriots143110192446.214
AFC Central Division
*Pittsburgh Steelers141130343175.786
*Cleveland Browns141040268249.714
Cincinnati Bengals14860299229.571
Houston Oilers141130164380.071
AFC Western Division
*Oakland Raiders141031365248.750
Kansas City Chiefs14860287254.571
Denver Broncos14590325350.357
San Diego Chargers14491264344.321
NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
NFC Eastern Division
*Washington Redskins141130336218.786
*Dallas Cowboys141040319240.714
New York Giants14860331247.571
St. Louis Cardinals14491193303.321
Philadelphia Eagles142111145352.179
NFC Central Division
*Green Bay Packers141040304226.714
Detroit Lions14851339290.607
Minnesota Vikings14770301252.500
Chicago Bears14491225275.321
NFC Western Division
*San Francisco 49ers14851353249.607
Atlanta Falcons14770269274.500
Los Angeles Rams14671291286.464
New Orleans Saints142111215361.179
National Football League Standings 1972 [Ref: 1]
DateHome TeamAway Team
AFC Divisional Playoffs
1972Pittsburgh Steelers13Oakland Raiders7
1972Miami Dolphins20Cleveland Browns14
AFC Championship
1972Pittsburgh Steelers17Miami Dolphins21
NFC Divisional Playoffs
1972San Francisco 49ers28Dallas Cowboys30
1972Washington Redskins16Green Bay Packers3
NFC Championship
1972Washington Redskins26Dallas Cowboys3
Super Bowl VIIMemorial Colisseum, LA, Ca.
1972Miami Dolphins (AFC)14Washington Redskins7
National Football League Playoffs 1972 [Ref: 1]

Adrian Young, LB, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, played Linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions in 1972. [2]

NFL 1973

PWLTPFPAPct
AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
AFC Eastern Division
*Miami Dolphins141220343150.857
Buffalo Bills14950259230.643
New England Patriots14590258300.357
New York Jets144100240306.286
Baltimore Colts144100226341.286
AFC Central Division
*Cincinnati Bengals141040286231.714
*Pittsburgh Steelers141040347210.714
Cleveland Browns14752234255.571
Houston Oilers141130199447.071
AFC Western Division
*Oakland Raiders14941292175.679
Kansas City Chiefs14752231192.571
Denver Broncos14752354296.571
San Diego Chargers142111188386.179
NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
NFC Eastern Division
*Dallas Cowboys141040382203.714
*Washington Redskins141040325198.714
Philadelphia Eagles14581310393.393
St. Louis Cardinals14491286365.321
New York Giants142111226362.179
NFC Central Division
*Minnesota Vikings141220296168.857
Detroit Lions14671271247.464
Green Bay Packers14572202259.429
Chicago Bears143110195334.214
NFC Western Division
*Los Angeles Rams141220388178.857
Atlanta Falcons14950318224.643
San Francisco 49ers14590262319.357
New Orleans Saints14590163312.357
National Football League Standings 1973 [Ref: 1]
DateHome TeamAway Team
AFC Divisional Playoffs
1973Oakland Raiders33Pittsburgh Steelers14
1973Miani Dolphins34Cincinnati Bengals16
AFC Championship
1973Miami Dolphins27Oakland Raiders10
NFC Divisional Playoffs
1973Minnesota Vikings27Washington Redskins20
1973Dallas Cowboys27Los Angeles Rams16
NFC Championship
1973Dallas Cowboys10Minnesota Vikings27
Super Bowl VIIIRice Stadium, Houston, Texas
1973Miami (AFC)24Minnesota Vikings (NFC)7
National Football League Playoffs 1973 [Ref: 1]

Adrian Young, LB, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, played Linebacker for the Chicago Bears in 1973. [2]

WFL 1974

 PWLTPFPAPct
Eastern Division       
*Florida Blazers201460419280.700
Charlotte Hornets2010100467350.500
*Philadelphia Bell209110493413.450
Jacksonville Sharks144100258358.286
Central Division       
*Memphis Southmen201730629365.850
*Birmingham Americans201550503394.750
Chicago Fire207130446622.350
Detroit Wheels141130209358.071
Western Division       
*Southern California Sun201370486622.350
*The Hawaiians209110413425.450
Portland Storm207121204426.375
Shreveport Steamer207121240415.375
World Football League Standings 1974 [Ref: 2]

First Round Playoffs   
Florida Blazers18Philadelphia Bell3
Honolulu Hawaiians32Southern California Sun14
Semi-Finals   
Florida Blazers18Memphis Southmen15
Birmingham Americans22Honolulu Hawaiians19
World Bowl 74   
Birmingham Americans22Florida Blazers21

References: [1]

Adrian Young, LB, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, played Linebacker for the Hawaiians in 1974. [2]

WFL 1975

 PWLTPFPAPct
Eastern Division       
Birmingham Vulcans12930257186.750
Memphis Southmen11740254206.636
Charlotte Hornets11650225199.545
Jacksonville Express11650227247.545
Philadelphia Bell11470195237.364
Western Division       
Southern California Sun12750354341.583
San Antonio Wings13760364268.538
Shreveport Steamer12570276313.417
The Hawaiians11470213269.364
Portland Thunder11470210281.364
Chicago Winds514067125.200
World Football League Standings 1975 [Ref: 2]

Adrian Young, LB, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, played Linebacker for the Hawaiians in 1975. [3]

References

Bibliography

[1] National Football League (2014) “Past Standings 1968-1973” 2014 NFL Record & Fact Book. pp. 393-395.

Websites

[2] Bob Braunwart, The Coffin Corner, Pro Football Researchers Association (1988) WFL by Team Records [Internet] Available from: http://profootballresearchers.com/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/10-03-337.pdf [Accessed 9 October 2018]

[3] Pro Football Archives (2019) Adrian Young [Internet] Available from: https://www.profootballarchives.com/playery/youn00400.html [Accessed 12 October 2019]

[4] O’Callaghan, Eoin (2020) “Hollywood, the NFL and OJ – the remarkable tale of the Dublin kid who lived the American dream” The 42 Sunday, February 2, 2020. [Internet] Available from: https://www.the42.ie/adrian-young-nfl-4987121-Feb2020/ [Accessed 5 February 2020]

[5] Pro Football Archives (12020)ADRIAN YOUNG [Internet] Available from:http://www.profootballarchives.com/playery/youn00400.html [Accessed 12 October 2019]

[6] Sports Reference (2020) 1964 College Football Standings [Internet] Available from: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/1964-standings.html [Accessed 2 April 2020]

[7] Sports Reference (2020) 1965 College Football Standings [Internet] Available from: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/1965-standings.html [Accessed 2 April 2020]

[8] Sports Reference (2020) 1966 College Football Standings [Internet] Available from: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/1966-standings.html [Accessed 2 April 2020]

[9] Sports Reference (2020) 1967 College Football Standings [Internet] Available from: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/1967-standings.html [Accessed 2 April 2020]

[10] NASL Jersey (2016) Adrian Young in action for the Philadelphia Eagles a versus the New York Giants Preseason 1971 [Internet] Available from: https://www.nasljerseys.com/images/2013Images/2013WFL/NFL/Eagles%2070%20Road%20Back%20Nate%20Ramsey%20(24),%20Adrian%20Young%20(35),%20Giants.jpg [Accessed 9 April 2020]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Tim Leadingham

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American & World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 9 September 2021

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020-2021

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved. The Logos and Photos used in this article remain the property of the organisations and individuals which own the copyright and are used here for educational and information purposes only.

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