Doug Betters, a multi-sport athlete from the Class of 1974, the Dolphins’ famed Killer B’s and the 1983 NFL defensive player of the year, suffered a catastrophic injury on the ski slopes in Montana that left him paralyzed from the torso down. Being in a wheelchair changed him—but not his adventurous way of life in the wilds of Montana. The reason for the catastrophic spinal injury was a huge surprise for Doug.
Doug Betters excelled at baseball, basketball and football in the former Arlington High School Cardinals athletic department. He graduated from Arlington High School in 1974.
On December 23, 2015, Betters was featured on Sports Illustrated’s MMQB “A Better Man, the Better Way” …
After graduating from Arlington High School, Betters played college Division I football for the University of Montana Grizzlies from 1974 to 1976, then transferred to the University of Nevada, Reno in 1977. In 1978 he was a 6th round draft pick (163rd overall) for the Miami Dolphins.
In 1983, Betters (#75) recorded 16 sacks in 16 games and won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award. He was also named to the AFC All-Pro Bowl team. He was a 6’7″ Defensive End weighing 262 LBS.
In 1983 and 1984, Betters was named the Miami Dolphins “Outstanding Defensive Lineman.”
In 1983, Betters participated in Super Bowl XVII when the Washington Redskins beat the Miami Dolphins 27-17. In the 1984-1985 season, Betters recorded 14 sacks.
In 1985, Betters participated in Super Bowl XIX when the Miamia Dolphins lost to the San Francisco 49ers 38-16.
Betters played 146 NFL games and made 64½ career sacks (46½ official, post–1981). He retired at age 31 in 1987. His entire professional football career was with the Miami Dolphins.
In 1991 Betters was named by fans to the Dolphins’ Silver Anniversary Team.
In 1998, Betters hit some soft snow while downhill skiing about 45 mph. He tumbled head first into the ground and suffered a spinal cord injury while skiing at Big Mountain in Whitefish, Montana.
In 2015, Betters was voted to Top 50 Players in Miami Dolphin History.
See also …
whitefishwinterclassic.org/about-us/doug-betters/
Doug Betters from Arlington High School to the Miami Dolphins to Montanawww.arlingtoncardinal.com/?p=76785
Posted by The Cardinal on Thursday, December 24, 2015
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