HOUSTON — Signing bonus for C.J. Stroud? Big bucks.
Signing bonus for Scott Appleton? Big bulls.
The date: February 1, 1964. The headline circulating across the county -- The Houston Oilers sign their top draft choice, Scott Appleton.
Scott Appleton?
He’s a defensive tackle for the national champion Texas Longhorns. He was the top lineman in the country – maybe that school’s best -- and that’s why Pittsburgh wanted him, too.
You see, the Oilers and other American Football League teams are involved in a bitter battle for talent with National Football League clubs like the Steelers.
For months, both sides have been courting him.
Asked how high the bidding for Appleton, a central Texas native, has gone. One Oilers official responds, “Have you ever heard of the Appleton Hilton?”
Hotel?
He didn't get one of those from Oilers owner Bud Adams. But in addition to his salary and signing bonus, Appleton did agree to a gas station. Bud Adams owns an energy company and his father ran Phillips Petroleum. Appleton also got a cattle feed operation and 38 head of cattle!
Why did Scott say he chose Houston over Pittsburgh?
The money was about the same, plus “It’s in Texas. I’m pretty loyal to the state,” according to UPI.
Bud’s creative offer was able to steer Scott Appleton in the right direction.
While Appleton never became the star he was supposed to be, he was traded three years later.
His signing bonus will forever be a strange but true Houston sports story.