Dale Markham (born July 24, 1957) is a former player in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants and St. Louis Cardinals in 1980 and 1981 as a tackle and defensive end. He played at the collegiate level at the University of North Dakota.
Early life Markham was born Dale Jon Markham on July 24, 1957, in Whitewater, Wisconsin. He starred with his family in the educational shorts Farm Family in Autumn, Farm Family in Spring, Farm Family in Summer, and Farm Family in Winter. These shorts showed what life was like on the farm during different seasons.
College career He played football at the University of North Dakota. During his college career, he played on the defensive line and wore jersey number 80. He graduated with a degree in industrial technology in 1980.
Professional career Kansas City Chiefs He was drafted 287th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 11th round of the 1980 NFL draft.1980 NFL Draft Markham was then released by the Chiefs on August 25, 1980.Chiefs cut 6 players, waive 2 more Daily Union, August 26, 1980, accessed January 31, 2012
New York Giants Markham signed with the New York Giants on December 3, 1980.Ailing Giants add five players Record-Journal, December 4, 1980, accessed January 31, 2012 He would see his first NFL action on Sunday, December 21, 1980, in a home game played at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, against the Oakland Raiders.Oakland Raiders at New York Giants, Dec 21, 1980, accessed February 2, 2012 He was later released by the Giants on June 23, 1981.
Second stint with Kansas City Chiefs Markham was claimed on procedural waivers by the Chiefs on July 17, 1981, and then was released on August 3, 1981.Balzer, Howard (1985). USFL Guide and Register, p. 318. The Sporting News., . During this period, he would briefly rejoin his college teammate and friend, Todd Thomas as a member of the Chiefs' roster. They remain as the only two players from North Dakota ever drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs, Markham was the first in 1980 and Thomas followed him a year later in 1981.North Dakota Draft Picks, accessed February 2, 2012
St. Louis Cardinals On August 8, 1981, the Cardinals signed Markham off waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs and then released him on August 25, 1981.Cardinals sign 2 kickers; sell ex-'Husker to Bears St. Joseph Gazette, August 4, 1981, accessed January 31, 2012 He was re-signed on December 10, 1981, and played in their final two games of the 1981 season. These games included a home game against his former team, the New York Giants and on December 20, 1981, his final regular season game as an NFL player, a road game versus the Philadelphia Eagles. In 1982, he reported to the Cardinals' Training Camp, at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, but was released as part of the final cuts on September 6, 1982.Transactions,The Southeast Missourian, September 8, 1982, accessed January 31, 2012
Winnipeg Blue Bombers On September 14, 1982, Markham was placed on a 14-day trial with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.Transactions The Weekend Sun, September 14, 1982, accessed January 31, 2012 This would temporarily reunite Markham with college teammates, running back Milson Jones and defensive tackle Stan Mikawos, both of whom were North Dakota alumni and on the 1982 Blue Bombers roster.
Oakland Invaders Markham signed with the Oakland Invaders of the United States Football League on January 26, 1983, and went on to play in 54 regular season and four playoff games between 1983 and 1985. He was just one of nine players from the Invaders' inaugural March 6, 1983, roster that would still be around during the 1985 season. During his tenure with the Invaders, he played tackle and wore jersey number 72.Dale Markham JerseyDataBase.com , accessed February 1, 2012 On July 14, 1985, Markham played in the 1985 championship game held at Giants Stadium, the last USFL game ever played.1985 USFL Championship Game Starting Lineups, accessed February 1, 2012
Green Bay Packers Markham attended the Packers’ training camp in 1985. On August 17, 1985, he returned to a familiar venue, Giants Stadium to play in a Saturday night exhibition game against his former team, the New York Giants. Notable was that only 34-days earlier he played in the USFL championship game at this same location. Milwaukee Journal, August 18, 1985, accessed January 31, 2012 The Green Bay Packers released Markham on August 28, 1985., accessed February 2, 2012
See also List of New York Giants players
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