William F. Cronin, Jr. (November 20, 1943 – November 5, 1991) was an American football tight end who played one season with the Miami Dolphins of the American Football League (AFL). He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fifteenth round of the 1965 AFL Draft. He played college football at Boston College. Cronin was also a member of the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL).[2]
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| Position: | Tight end |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | (1943-11-20)November 20, 1943 Lawrence, Massachusetts |
| Died: | November 5, 1991(1991-11-05) (aged 47) Westmont, New Jersey |
| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Weight: | 231 lb (105 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College: | Boston College |
| AFL Draft: | 1965 / Round: 15 / Pick: 115 (by the Oakland Raiders)[1] |
| Career history | |
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| Career NFL statistics | |
| Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |
Cronin played college football for the Boston College Eagles and was a team captain.[3]
Cronin was selected by the Oakland Raiders of the AFL with the 115th pick in the 1965 AFL Draft.[3] He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL in 1965 and spent most of the season on the taxi squad.[3] He played for the AFL's Miami Dolphins in 1966.[2]
Cronin became a football official after his playing career. He was selected to officiate eight postseason games, including the 1991 Hall of Fame Bowl, the 1989 Sugar Bowl and the 1987 Cotton Bowl. The NFL had asked him to submit an application in 1987 but he did not do so until January 1991 due to the birth of a child.[3]
He died of a heart attack on November 5, 1991 at his home in Westmont, New Jersey.[3]
Cronin's father Bill and uncle Jack also played football.[4]
Oakland Raiders 1965 AFL Draft selections | |
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Miami Dolphins 1966 inaugural season roster | |
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