Colin's Story
Born on 19 February, 1939, Colin Ridgeway lived an extraordinary life. The Melbourne resident competed in high jump at his home Olympic Games in 1956 and also represented Australia at the Commonwealth Games. After becoming the first athlete to clear seven-foot, Ridgeway accepted a track-and-field scholarship in the USA at what is now Lamar University.
Things took a turn for Ridgeway in the States when he was discovered by the Dallas Cowboys NFL club. He was signed to their 1965 gridiron team and played three games as a punter in the 1960s, becoming the first Australian to play in the NFL.
Sadly, he was murdered three decades later at the age of 56 while living in the USA.
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