Rufus T. Bess was born on September 13, 1956, in Darlington, SC. Â After attending Butler High School in Hartsville, he played college football at South Carolina State University, and in 2004, he was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame for his outstanding accomplishments on the gridiron. Â Bess went on to play nine seasons in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, and Oakland Raiders from 1979-1987. Â Bess also spent a season playing for the Chicago Bruisers in the Area League in 1988. Â After his NFL career, he coached football at North Community High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
1987 Topps NFL card
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4 Responses
Interesting. I can’t recall Bess playing, but I should with him having a nine-year career. A feature on “The Track too Tough to Tame” would sure be interesting–Darlington Raceway is my favorite track on the NASCAR circuit!
–Mike
General Francis Marion “Swamp Fox” is my 7th great uncle.
Sheryl, my ????-grandfather, Captain Phillip Pledger, served with Gen. Marion throughout the Revolutionary War. He’s buried in a church yard cemetery in Cheraw.
–Michael
Sheryl, that’s very interesting. Thanks for checking out the Commission’s blog.