David Fulcher
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| David Fulcher | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | September 28, 1964 |
| Place of birth |  Los Angeles, California |
| Position(s) | Safety |
| College | Arizona State |
| NFL Draft | 1986 / Round 3/ Pick 78 |
| Pro Bowls | 3 |
| Stats | |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 1986-1992 1993 |
Cincinnati Bengals Los Angeles Raiders |
David Dwayne Fulcher (born September 28, 1964 in Los Angeles, California) is a former American Football safety who played for the Cincinnati Bengals (1986-1992) and the Los Angeles Raiders (1993) in the National Football League. At 6'3 and 238 pounds, Fulcher was extremely large and strong for a defensive back, but still had enough speed to cover and chase down wide receivers.
Fulcher played college football at Arizona State University. While playing for the Sun Devils, Fulcher was known for his cover skills and punishing tackles. He earned the nickname "Fo-Rock" after tackling an opposing wide receiver in a game against New Mexico State University. "The guy laid there for a while, then got up and was dizzy. Then he said 'Man, I feel like I ran into a rock' Fulcher explained. "My teammates started calling me 'Rock'. A lot of people, when they pronounce my last name, say 'Fo-cher. So I just put the 'Fo' in front of Rock."(1)
After his junior season was over in 1986, Fulcher declared himself eligible for the NFL draft. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round. After 2 NFL seasons, Fulcher was seen as one of the top defensive backs in the NFL. In 1988, he recorded 5 interceptions and 1 touchdown, and made his first trip to the Pro Bowl. The Bengals finished the season with a 12-4 record and went on to face the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIII where they ended up losing narrowly to the 49ers 20-16, after quarterback Joe Montana threw the game winning touchdown pass with 34 seconds left. In the game, Fulcher recorded several key tackles and forced a fumble that the Bengals recovered. Fulcher later said this game was his most memorable NFL moment. "It was the time they called my name during the introductions at the Super Bowl." He said. "Walking out of the tunnel at Joe Robbie Stadium, making sure I did not trip on the turf and fall down"(2).
In 1989, Fulcher recorded 8 interceptions, which was at the time the second highest total ever by a Bengals player in a single season, and also tied a Bengals record by recording 3 interceptions in one game, a feat he accomplished twice. Fulcher once again was selected to play in the Pro Bowl, but his team finished the year with an 8-8 record and failed to make the playoffs.
In 1990, Fulcher made the Pro Bowl for the third year in a row. He intercepted 4 passes, forced 3 fumbles, and recorded 53 solo tackles. The Bengals finished the season with a 9-7 record, making it all the way to the divisional playoffs. This would be the last winning season Fulcher would ever see playing for the Bengals, as they would not record a winning record again until 2005. In 1991 he led the team with 68 solo tackles, four forced fumbles recovering three of them, and intercepted four passes, returning them for 51 yards and a touchdown. In his final season in Cincinnati in 1992, he intercepted 3 passes and recovered 5 fumbles.
Fulcher joined the Raiders as a free agent in 1993, but due to injuries he only played 3 games and retired after the season. In his 8 NFL seasons, Fulcher recorded 10 forced fumbles, 9 fumble recoveries, 12 fumble return yards, 31 interceptions, 246 interception return yards, and 2 touchdowns. His 31 interceptions are currently the third most in Bengals history (behind Ken Riley and Louis Breeden).
In retirement, Fulcher lives on in the minds of Bengals fans, and through the popular video game Tecmo Super Bowl, where his speed and incredible hitting power continue to devastate unsuspecting wide receivers.
[edit] Sources
Ludwig, Chick. Cincinnati Bengals, The Legends. Willmington, OH: Orange Frazer P, 2004. ISBN 1-882203-38-0 page 202.(1)
Ludwig, page 207(2)
In Excellent: A Tecmo Companion
