Ernie Cheatham

Ernest Clifford Cheatham Jr.
Nickname(s)Big Ernie
Born(1929-07-27)July 27, 1929
Long Beach, California, U.S.
DiedJune 14, 2014(2014-06-14) (aged 84)
Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
Buried
AllegianceUnited States of America
Branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service1952–88
Rank Lieutenant General
Commands1st Marine Division
1st Marine Amphibious Force
4th Marine Amphibious Brigade
2nd Battalion, 5th Marines
Battles / warsKorean War
Vietnam War
AwardsNavy Cross
Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Legion of Merit
Ernie Cheatham
No. 79, 66
Position:Defensive tackle
Personal information
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:255 lb (116 kg)
Career information
High school:St. Anthony High School
College:Loyola Marymount
NFL draft:1951: 21st round, 248th pick
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Games played:6
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Ernest Clifford Cheatham Jr. (July 27, 1929 – June 14, 2014) was a United States Marine Corps officer, a veteran of the Korean War and the Vietnam War, a recipient of the Navy Cross, and American football defensive tackle who played for the Baltimore Colts and the Pittsburgh Steelers.