Bernie Parmalee

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Bernie Parmalee (born September 16, 1967 in Jersey City, New Jersey) was an NFL running back who played for the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets. He played college football for the Ball State University Cardinals in Muncie, Indiana.

Parmalee's rookie season was 1992, and he spent most of his time on special teams. He returned 14 kickoffs for 289 yards, and had 6 rushes for 38 yards, but fumbled three times on his 20 touches. In 1993 Parmalee remained a special teamer, and would see even less offensive action, playing only as a third-string back.

In 1994, Parmalee saw more time with the Dolphins' offense. Starting in Week 3, Parmalee emerged as one of the better backs in the Miami backfield, running for 37 yards on 10 carries, including a 5 yards touchdown in the fourth quarter. He was the Dolphins' leading rusher on 6 carries the following week, gaining 22 of the team's 47 rushing yards. In that game, starting running back Terry Kirby was injured. After the previous week's loss, the Dolphins came out running in Week 5, and Parmalee gained 73 yards on 18 carries. In Week 6 the Dolphins neglected the running game, and lost to the Bills, though Parmalee gained 91 yards on 15 carries. In Week 7 Parmalee ran for 150 yards on 30 carries in an overtime victory, and 123 yards on 25 carries in Week 9, after a bye week. He ran for 81 yards on 21 carries as the Dolphins rallied from a Dan Marino interception that was returned for a touchdown. Parmalee missed Week 10 and be limited to 29 yards in Week 11. He ran for 23 yards on 8 carries the following week. In Week 12 he ran for 40 yards on 13 carries. Against the Chiefs on Monday Night Football, Parmalee ran for 127 yards, including a 47 yard touchdown run, and not including a 10 yard touchdown reception. Parmalee was limited in his last two games.

Parmalee's 57 yards on 18 attempts helped Miami to a win over the Chiefs in the first round of the playoffs. Parmalee ran for only 16 yards on only 7 carries, and he was the victim of a safety as the Super Bowl bound San Diego Chargers ended Miami's season.

In 1995 Parmalee continued to succeed in the Dolphins pass-first offense, running for 100 yards on three occasions, though he had to average at least 5 yards per carry each time.

From 1996 to 1998, he would be demoted as new coach Jimmy Johnson inserted his own draft pick, Abdul-Karim al-Jabbar, into Parmalee's old position. Parmalee rarely saw playing time under Johnson's regime, although he did see some action as a fullback during the 1997/98 season.

In 1999 Parmalee became a Jet and saw more playing time, backing up every-down running back Curtis Martin, than he saw in has last three years in Miami. 2000 was Parmalee's final season. Against Miami, Parmalee and Martin received 14 carries each, but Parmalee out rushed Martin, running for 57 yards and 2 touchdowns. He contributed 74 yards from scrimmage the following week against the Chicago Bears, but it was the last serious playing time he saw in the NFL. Parmalee became the Miami Dolphin’s running back coach in 2004. He now holds position as the Tight Ends coach/Assistant Coach of Special Teams at the University of Notre Dame under current head coach Charlie Weis.

[edit] External links

• Notre Dame Profile: Bernie Parmalee
• Pro-football reference
• The Observer
• Sports's Illustrated
• Dolphnin’s running back coach