Paige Cothren

Professional Football Player, Author. He went from enjoying a career as the NFL's top placekicker to becoming a successful author. Born Jennings Paige Cothren, his uncles (mother's brothers) Jim 'Buster', Ray and Barney Poole had accomplished NFL careers, Paige attended Natchez High School in Mississippi and later played collegiate football at the University of Mississippi. While with the Rebels, he achieved both All Southern Conference and All South Team honors in 1955. Additionally, he led the nation in field goals that year and was the recipient of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy. For three seasons (1957 to 1959), he played at the placekicker position in the National Football League with the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles. Selected by the Rams during the 22nd round of the 1957 NFL Draft, he totaled 31 career regular season games. During his rookie season (1957), he distinguished himself as he led the NFL in extra points made with 38 in 38 attempts. The following season (1958), he led the league with 14 field goals made along with a 56.0% field goal percentage. After retiring from football, he served with the United States Army Reserves and operated a small grocery store chain. In 1967, Cothren made history as the first player to sign with the newly-founded New Orleans Saints expansion team, however he never played for them. He went on to become a Christian counselor and teacher. He also discovered a new interest in writing and produced the religious book "Let None Deal Treacherously" (1981). He penned the book "Walking Carefully Around the Dead" (1998), which recounted his days as a player at Mississippi and wrote the fictional football book "So Great the Pretender" (2001).