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Iowa State University Athletics
All-American Footballer Tom Watkins Passes Away
11.03.2011 | Football
AMES, Iowa - Funeral Services are Monday in Detroit for Iowa State's own, Tom Watkins, a Cyclone All-America football player who went on to a distinguished NFL career and was later inducted into the ISU Letterwinners Hall of Fame. Watkins passed away Saturday of heart failure. The native of West Memphis, Ark., went on to a successful life as a high school head football coach and businessman. He was an uninhibited advocate for Iowa State his entire life. Watkins was 74.
"Every time we got together, he would talk about how much he loved Iowa State University," his son Mark Watkins said. "He was a great father and grandfather and was always there when we needed him."
The younger Watkins described his father as a determined individual.
"He coached football at Chadsey High School in inner city Detroit for 20 years, a profession that required a highly intense person," Mark Watkins said.
Watkins was especially proud that his granddaughter, Fallon Ellis, is now a member of the Iowa State women's basketball team.
Watkins earned the first of his two first-team All-Big Eight selections during the 1959 season, leading Iowa State's renowned "Dirty Thirty" team in rushing with 843 yards on the ground, the second highest total in the NCAA that season.
As a senior in 1960, Watkins was a first-team all-league pick and earned All-America honors after rushing for 688 yards and 10 touchdowns for a team that finished 7-3 overall. He ranked 12th in the nation in rushing yardage in 1960 and his 10 touchdowns broke the single season school record. He was invited to play in the East-West Shrine Bowl, Hula Bowl and the All-American Bowl following his senior campaign and was honored as Iowa State's 1961 Athlete of the Year.
Thomas married Camilla Ruth Hoffman in 1961. The couple had five children. She passed way in 2003.
Watkins continued his football career after graduation, finding his niche as a dependable running back and punt and kickoff returner for three teams (Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers) in the NFL. Watkins played seven seasons in the NFL, totaling 1,792 yards rushing, 590 yards receiving and 17 touchdowns.
Watkins was utilized primarily as a return specialist, racking up 970 yards in punt returns and 2,510 yards in kickoff returns. He led the league twice in punt return yardage (1963, 1964) and once in kickoff return yardage (1965) as a member of the Lions. He ran back three punts for touchdowns in his NFL career.
Watkins enjoyed shaping the lives of young people. He worked with Detroit's inner city children. Watkins was a football coach at Chadsey from 1973-2003. Watkins owned and operatored McDonald's and Dairy Queen Franchises within the Detroit metro. He finished his business career as the owner of TW Graphics.
He will be missed.
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