April 20, 1997
GREENVILLE -- Furman senior tight end Luther Broughton became the first Paladin football player in 11 years to be drafted when he was selected today by Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 1997 National Football League draft.
"I'm real happy to be selected by Philadelphia, especially after not being one of the 20 or so tight ends invited to the NFL combine and now being selected as one of the top 10 tight ends in the country," said Broughton on Sunday afternoon. "I'm going to try to make the most of this opportunity."
Broughton, a product of Huger, S.C. (Cainhoy High School) and three-time All-Southern Conference selection, became the first Furman player to be drafted since wide receiver Chas Fox was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 1986 draft.
As a senior, Broughton led Furman with 51 receptions for 584 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Paladins to a 9-4 record an appearance in the NCAA I-AA playoffs. The 6-foot-2, 255-pound Broughton finished his career as Furman's all-time leading receiver with 135 catches, good for 1,659 yards and six touchdowns.