Joe Taffoni

Taffoni made an immediate impact in the UTM football program as defensive noseguard after transferring from West Virginia University where he was All-Southern Conference and a second team All-American.

At UT Martin, he was elected captain of the 1966 team. Following his collegiate career, he was third round draft selection of the Cleveland Browns. He was on the Browns' team which played for the NFL title in four of the five years. He was traded to the New York Giants where he was an All-NFC pick in 1972.