Class of 2000
Born: November 1, 1932 in Fairfield, Alabama
Category: Football
Pyburn played football and baseball at Birmingham’s Ensley High School and collegiately at Auburn University. He is considered one of the greatest ends in Auburn football history. He started his sophomore season and was named honorable mention All-American. That season he was second in the SEC with 25 receptions, 379 yards, and three touchdowns. His first two passes he caught as an Auburn Tiger were for touchdowns. His junior season, he was named All-SEC and UPI “Player of Year.” As a senior, he led the SEC in receptions, and was fifth in the nation with 28 receptions for 460 yards and 4 touchdowns. An AP Third Team All-American, he received more all-conference votes that any other player. He was voted SEC Best Offensive End by the coaches. In 1953, as Auburn third baseman he led the SEC in five batting categories including batting average with a .432 average. The next season he hit .455 and signed a pro baseball contract with Baltimore. After three years, he left baseball for a coaching career. For 16 years, he was a defensive coach under Vince Dooley at Georgia where he led some of the best defenses in the country.
