Melvin Gordon set to tie fellow Kenoshan Alan Ameche on TD list for NFL players from Wisconsin
By JERRY TAPP
Kenosha’s Melvin Gordon is in his fifth season in the NFL. The two-time Pro Bowler has fashioned a nice career after being drafted in the first round (15th overall pick) by the San Diego Chargers.
Gordon has amassed 43 total regular season touchdowns in his career, 32 on runs and 11 via pass receptions. His next TD will be noteworthy because it will tie him with another Kenosha NFLer, Alan Ameche.
Ameche, born June 1, 1933 in Kenosha, played in the NFL six years, all with the Baltimore Colts. His 44 career TD were split between 40 runs and four pass receptions.
Both Gordon and Ameche are among 11 NFL players who were born in Wisconsin that scored 25 or more career regular season touchdowns in the league. Topping the list is Elroy Hirsch… born in Wausau, Hirsch had 66 career TDs in the league.
Here’s a look at the 11 NFL players who were born in Wisconsin that have 25 or more career TDs in the league (the city where they were born in also listed).
66: Elroy Hirsch (Wausau)
52: Pete Banaszak (Crivitz)
51: Frank Clarke (Beloit)
49: Johnny Blood (New Richmond)
44: Alan Ameche (Kenosha)
43: Melvin Gordon (Kenosha)
38: Pat Harder (Milwaukee)
35: Ted Fritsch (Spencer)
28: George Sauer (Sheboygan)
28: Bill Schroeder (Eau Claire)
25: Rocky Bleier (Appleton)
Four different QBs born in Wisconsin have thrown 70 or more TD passes in the league. Dave Krieg, who was born in Iola, WI, has a significant lead in this category with 261 career regular season TD passes. He is followed by Jay Schroeder (born in Milwaukee) with 114, Arnie Herber (born in Green Bay) with 81, and Colin Kaepernick (born in Milwaukee) with 72.
One more stat: There have been five Wisconsin-born players who have been selected to five or more Pro Bowls. The five:
Jim Otto (center born in Wausau)… 12 Pro Bowls
Joe Thomas (tackle born in Brookfield)… 10 Pro Bowls
Mike Webster (center born in Tomahawk)… 9 Pro Bowls
J.J. Watt (defensive end born in Pewaukee)… 5 Pro Bowls
John Offerdahl (linebacker born in Wisconsin Rapids)… 5 Pro Bowls
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