Roderick Earl Bernstine (born February 8, 1965) is an American former professional football player who was a running back and tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies and was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 1987 NFL Draft with the 24th overall pick.[1] Bernstine played in nine NFL seasons from 1987 to 1995. His best season as a pro came during the 1993 season as a member of the Denver Broncos, when he rushed for 816 yards and caught 44 receptions. Due to a loophole in official NFL rules he was the only active running back allowed to wear the number 82 while playing for the San Diego Chargers, a number reserved for wide receivers and tight ends. Upon being traded to the Denver Broncos in 1993 he changed his number to 33, an official running back number.
| No. 82, 33 | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Running back, tight end |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | February 8, 1965 Fairfield, California, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight: | 238 lb (108 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Bryan (Bryan, Texas) |
| College: | Texas A&M |
| NFL draft: | 1987 / Round: 1 / Pick: 24 |
| Career history | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Career NFL statistics | |
| Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |
College career edit
Bernstine lettered at Texas A&M from 1983–86. Before his sophomore season at Texas A&M, Bernstine reacted negatively after then-A&M coach Jackie Sherrill told him that he was being moved to tight end, after playing a year at running back. As a senior in 1986, he was named first team All-SWC at tight end.[2] That same year, he set the school record for the most receptions in a single season with 65, a record that stood until 2010. Bernstine’s 65 catches is still the school single-season record for most ever by a tight end.[3]
Personal edit
Bernstine and his ex-wife Stephanie met at Bryan High School in Bryan, Texas. They began dating while both were students and at Texas A&M University. They have two children. They all reside in the Denver, Colorado area.[4]
Bernstine's older brother Nehames "Pookie" Bernstine played baseball for Lewis-Clark College in Lewiston, Idaho. Pookie Bernstine was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 5th Round (118th overall) of the 1982 amateur entry draft (June-Reg).[5]
Bernstine's son, Roderick E. Bernstine, Jr., signed a letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Denver in November 2012, but transferred to the University of North Dakota after only one season.[6] His nephew, Jordan, was a safety who formerly played for the Washington Redskins.[7]
Notes edit
- ^ "1987 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
- ^ Burson (2004), p. 93.
- ^ "Most Receptions - Season".[permanent dead link]
- ^ Burson (2004), pp. 95–97.
- ^ "Major Leaguers - the Baseball Cube".
- ^ Chambers, Mike. "Cherokee Trail basketball star Roderick Bernstine, son of former Bronco, finds footing on court Read more: Cherokee Trail basketball star Roderick Bernstine, son of former Bronco, finds footing on court". Denver Post. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
- ^ Jones, Mike (April 11, 2013). "Jordan Bernstine targeting training camp return date". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
References edit
- Burson, Rusty (2004). Texas A&M, Where Have You Gone?. Sports Publishing LLC. ISBN 1-58261-753-8.