Dave Sparks

For other people named David Sparks, see David Sparks (disambiguation).

David Walter Sparks (April 28, 1928 – December 5, 1954) was an American football player. He played professionally as a guard and tackle in the National Football League (NFL) with the San Francisco 49ers in 1951 and the Washington Redskins in 1954. Sparks played college football at the University of North Carolina and was selected in the 15th round of the 1951 NFL draft by the 49ers.

Dave Sparks

No. 39, 68
Position:	Guard Tackle
Personal information
Born:	(1928-04-28)April 28, 1928 Arlington, Virginia, U.S.
Died:	December 7, 1954(1954-12-07) (aged 26) Arlington, Virginia, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:	220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school:	Lorain (Lorain, Ohio)
College:	South Carolina
NFL draft:	1951: 15th round, 173rd pick
Career history
San Francisco 49ers (1951) Washington Redskins (1954)
Career highlights and awards
Second-team All-SoCon (1950)
Career NFL statistics
Fumble recoveries: 1 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Sparks died from a coronary thrombosis on December 5, 1954, at a friend's home in Arlington, Virginia just hours after playing for the Redskins against the Cleveland Browns.^[1]