Will Cureton


William Joe Cureton is an American real estate developer and former American football quarterback in the National Football League. He played for the Cleveland Browns for two seasons He played college football for Texas A&M-Commerce, where he was the starting quarterback for the Lions 1972 National Championship team.

Early life

Cureton was born in Meridian, Texas, to Joe and Lauriece Cureton. His family then moved to the North Texas town of Whitewright, Texas, where he was a standout quarterback at Whitewright High School. He was offered an athletic scholarship to play Football by East Texas State University coach Ernest Hawkins. Cureton graduated from Whitewright High School in 1969.

College career

Cureton backed up Lion All-American QB Jim Dietz during his freshman season before taking over as the starter in 1971. Cureton led the Lions to a 6-5 record his Sophomore campaign, but the next season, the Lions would make history by winning the 1972 NAIA National Football Championship. Cureton was first team All-Conference and the Lions had a 10-2 record behind a powerful running game and an efficient short passing game. In the Championship game, Cureton executed a critical play that would eventually seal the win for the Lions. On third down, Cureton faked a hand-off, dropped back and delivered a perfect crossing route pass to tight end Calvin Harris to seal the win against Carson Newman College. His senior year in 1973 he led the Lions to another winning season of 7-4. Cureton graduated in December 1973 with a bachelor's degree in accounting and was a member and later president of the Gamma Upsilon Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Order at Texas A&M-Commerce.

Professional career

Cureton played for two seasons for the Cleveland Browns and was a starter for one game during the 1975 season. He left the NFL after those two seasons.

Personal

Cureton worked for the prestigious accounting firm Cooper's and Lybrand in Dallas during his early years and during the off-season. He now works in commercial and revitalized real estate in Dallas. He was awarded the Texas A&M-Commerce Distinguished Alumni Award in 2014.