Dec. 7, 1963 - Joe Don Looney, the Oklahoma halfback who was dismissed from the Sooner squad for disciplinary reasons in mid-season, said today he had signed a professional contract with the New York Giants of the NFL. Looney was selected in the first round of the draft by the Giants, who hope the 224-pound speedster will bolster their weak running attack. Looney’s father Don played for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1940 and the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1941 and 1942. The junior Looney was dismissed from the Oklahoma squad, which had been ranked No. 1 in the nation, after a loss to Texas in mid-October. The dismissal resulted after a vote by the other seniors on the team. Looney had a fine junior year for the Sooners in 1962 when he led the nation in punting with a 43.4-yard average and was fifth in rushing with 852 yards. He scored 10 touchdowns and 62 points. He turned up weighing 17 pounds heavier this season and was involved in a brief scuffle with a Sooner assistant coach during one practice session. He already had caused displeasure among the coaching staff by skipping spring practice to try out for the track team.
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