Gerry Nesbitt was astar player at Arkansas and was a drafted i nthe 27th round o the NFL college draft by the New York Giants. Nesbitt is amembe Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. Gerry Nesbitt was a late round (27th) draft pick of the New York Giants in the 1956 NFL college draft out of Arkansas. In his final year with the Razorbacks, Nesbitt was selected to play in the East-West Shrine Bowl and was named the Outstanding Player of the game. Nesbitt joined the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1958, near the end of the "two way" era and played both fullback on offence and linebacker on defence. Nesbitt also added additional versatility by handling the punting chores. Nesbitt played a total of four seasons with the Riders, and in his final two years was used almost exclusively on defence at linebacker, though he still filled in on offence when needed. It was perhaps the ability to concentrate mainly on defence though that allowed Nesbitt to win East All-Stars at linebacker in both 1960 and 1961 (there were no CFL All-Stars until 1961). Nesbitt also won the Walker trophy in 1961 which was voted on by the players themselves for the most valuable player on the team. Nesbitt also won a Grey Cup with Ottawa in 1960. Nesbitt retired after the 1961 seaso, looking to sit out a year and becomea free agent to play in the new AFL Unfortunately for Nesbitt that never panned out and he never returned to the CFL.. An Interview with Gerry Nesbitt - College Football Historical Society Nesbitt Outstanding Player in Shirne Bowl - December 29, 1957 Nesbitt Wins Walker Trophy - November 11, 1961 Nesbitt Announces Reirement - July 3, 1962
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