Former Cowboys Draft Pick Sam Scarber Dies at 76

The running back had a brief NFL career before finding success as a Hollywood actor.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 5:50am

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Sam Scarber, a former NFL running back who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1971 and later had a prolific acting career in television and film, has died at the age of 76. Scarber played two seasons in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers before retiring due to injury. He then went on to appear in numerous TV shows and movies over the following decades.

Why it matters

Scarber's story highlights the challenges many professional athletes face in transitioning to life after sports, as well as the versatility and talent required to find success in both the athletic and entertainment industries.

The details

Scarber was a standout athlete at the University of New Mexico, where he led the Western Athletic Conference in rushing touchdowns as a senior in 1970. He was then drafted by the Cowboys in the third round of the 1971 NFL Draft, but was waived before the regular season began. Scarber went on to play for the Edmonton Eskimos in the CFL and the Detroit Wheels in the short-lived World Football League before joining the San Diego Chargers in 1975, where he played for two seasons. After being injured while with the Oakland Raiders in 1977, Scarber retired from football and moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting, appearing in numerous TV shows and films over the following decades.

  • Scarber was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1971.
  • He played for the San Diego Chargers from 1975 to 1976.
  • Scarber retired from the NFL after being injured with the Oakland Raiders in 1977.
  • He was inducted into the University of New Mexico's athletics Hall of Honor in 2018.
  • Scarber passed away on March 8, 2026 at the age of 76.

The players

Sam Scarber

A former NFL running back who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1971 and later had a successful acting career in television and film.

Chuck Roberts

A former quarterback and administrator at the University of New Mexico, where Scarber played college football.

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What they’re saying

“Sam was a great athlete — big, strong, and more than that, really dedicated to the game and worked hard at it, so I assumed there would be things beyond UNM for him.”

— Chuck Roberts, Former UNM quarterback and administrator

The takeaway

Scarber's story is a testament to the versatility and resilience of professional athletes, who must often navigate challenging career transitions after their playing days are over. His successful pivot from the NFL to Hollywood highlights the value of adaptability and the pursuit of new passions, even after experiencing setbacks in one's primary field.