1977 Profile: Doug Kotar

Running Back
No. 44
Kentucky
"A 205-pound whippet from Kentucky, he led the team in rushing with 731 yards, many of them on sweeps to the outside behind the blocking of Larry Csonka.
He was signed by the Steelers as a free agent in 1974. They traded him to the Giants for quarterback Leo Gasienica in the summer of 1974, and since then he has been a steady ground gainer as well as a reliable pass catcher (36 last season)."

-John Devaney, Schenley Pro Football Guide 1977

"Thank you, Leo Gasienica! The Giants traded off his unknown quarterback for an unknown running back, who turned out to be Doug Kotar, who turned out to be the Giants' leading rusher in 1976 with 731 (4.0 average).
Kotar doesn't 'juke' tacklers, or zip by them like a young Bob Hayes- or even an old Bob Hayes- yet somehow is effective. Last year was his best of three seasons with the Giants, and Larry Csonka's blocking helped early.
He was born in Canonsburg, PA and had a solid but not spectacular career at Kentucky. Pittsburgh signed him as a free agent but already had a player like him- Rocky Bleier- and made the trade. Where is Leo Gasienica now?"

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1977 Edition

"Kotar had his best year in 1976, leading the club with 731 yards rushing and coming up with a pair of 100-yard games against Los Angeles (108) and St. Louis (103). He also tied an all-time club record by catching 11 passes in one game and finished with 36 catches for the year, his best total in that department as well.
Signed as a free agent by the Steelers, Doug came to the Giants in a minor trade in 1974 for free agent quarterback Leo Gasienica and became an almost instant celebrity by leading the NFC in rushing during the preseason with 391 yards and a 5.8 average, including 124 yards rushing against the Eagles and 153 against Buffalo.
Kotar continued his fine performance in the regular season, finishing as the second leading rusher on the club with 396 yards, a 3.7 average and four touchdowns, despite missing several games with rib injuries. Doug came up with the best rushing day of the season- 119 yards against Atlanta- and also had the longest run from scrimmage, a 53-yarder for a touchdown against the Falcons. Blessed with great quickness and deceptive speed, he also had 10 pass receptions and was used as a reserve kickoff and punt return man, too.
In 1975, Doug again finished as the Giants' second-leading rusher with 378 yards on 122 carries and led the club in rushing touchdowns with six. He had the top rushing day of the year with 89 yards against the Saints. He also had nine pass catches for 86 yards and 17 kickoff returns for 405 yards, including one burst of 64 against San Diego.
Kotar earned three varsity letters at Kentucky as a running back, although injuries slowed him down somewhat in his senior year. He finished with 1,167 yards rushing in his career, and in his first varsity game ran the opening kickoff back 90 yards for a touchdown.
Douglas Allan Kotar (pronounced 'Coat-Er') was born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania and was an all-around star at Canon-McMillan High School in his hometown."

-1977 New York Giants Media Guide