Robert Lavette

Robert Lee Lavette (born September 8, 1963, Cartersville, Georgia, United States) was an American football running back in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles. He played collegiately for the Georgia Tech football team.

Early years

In Cartersville High School he rushed for 2,103 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior.^[1] He gained 6,870 career rushing yards and 49 touchdowns.^[2]

As a freshman he was the ACC third leading rusher (866 yards), third in receiving (45 receptions), first in all purpose yards and first in kickoff returns.^[3] His 307 receiving yards led the team.

As a sophomore he led the ACC in rushing (1,208 yards), touchdowns (19), all-purpose yards (1,570 yards) and scoring average (10.4) points. His touchdown total was a school record and he was second in the nation in scoring.^[4]

As a junior he missed all or parts of four games because of injuries, finishing with 803 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns.^[5]

Lavette to this day is considered by many to be one of the top running backs in school history. He still maintains many career yardage records and is a member of the Georgia Tech Athletics Hall of Fame and was named an ACC Legend.

• 1981: 188 carries for 866 yards and 7 TD. 45 catches for 307 yards.^[6]
• 1982: 280 carries for 1208 yards and 19 TD. 25 catches for 286 yards.
• 1983: 186 carries for 803 yards and 5 TD. 21 catches for 123 yards and 1 TD.
• 1984: 260 carries for 1189 yards and 14 TD. 23 catches for 146 yards.

1981 Alabama game

Lavette's 4th Quarter touchdown (his second of the game) capped of an 80-yard drive by the Yellow Jackets against the Crimson Tide of Alabama in 1981. The Jackets would go on to lose the remainder of their games and finish 1-10 on the year. It was Georgia Tech's first football win over the Tide since 1962.^[7]

Records/ Accomplishments

• Georgia Tech career rushing yards- 4,066 (1981–1984).^[8]
• Georgia Tech career all-purpose- 5,393 ^[8]
• Georgia Tech (non-kicker) scoring leader- 46 TD's, 276 total points ^[9]
• Georgia Tech Athletics Hall of Fame (1990)^[10]

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Lavette was selected in the fourth round (103rd overall) of the 1985 NFL Draft.^[11] On December 4, he was placed on the injured reserve list after injuring his knee.^[12]

He served as the team's primary kick returner in 1985 and 1986. As a rookie he had 34 kick returns for 682 yards and followed that up with 36 kick returns for 699 yards in 1986. During his time with the Cowboys he had some great training camp performances, but he never developed as a consistent running back, playing just 4 games in 1987, before being waived on November 3.^[13]

Philadelphia Eagles

He was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles on November 5, 1987.^[14] After being declared inactive in two games, he played just one game against the St. Louis Cardinals, returning 2 kickoffs for 37 yards. He was released on December 11.^[15]

Atlanta Falcons

On March 22, 1988, he signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Falcons.^[16] He was cut on August 29.^[17]

References