Al Dodd

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Alvin Roy “Al” Dodd (August 21, 1945 – April 9, 1987) was an American football player who played as a wide receiver and cornerback in the NFL for six seasons with the Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, and Atlanta Falcons. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and attended West Jefferson High School in Harvey, Louisiana, before playing at Northwestern State College.

At Northwestern State, Dodd excelled as a kick returner and played safety, tailback, and receiver, earning First-team Little All-American honors in 1966 and finishing with 31 career interceptions. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 1967 NFL Draft (90th overall).

Dodd joined the Bears in 1967 but was released after six weeks. After spending 1968 out of the NFL, he signed with the New Orleans Saints in 1969, where coach Tom Fears converted him to a receiver. He became a notable target for quarterback Billy Kilmer during a tough Saints season. In 1971 he had 15 receptions for 298 yards.

Dodd later played for the Atlanta Falcons (1973–1974). In 1973 he started 10 games, recording 19 receptions for 291 yards. In 1974 he split time between returning punts and receiving, finishing with 12 receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown.

Career NFL totals: 111 receptions, 1,803 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns. In 1980 Northwestern State inducted him into its Athletic Hall of Fame, and the program retired his No. 41 jersey, one of only five retired by the school. In 2007 he was named to the all-time Northwestern State football team. Dodd died in 1987 in Opelika, Alabama, at age 41.