John H. Baker Jr.

John Haywood Baker Jr. (June 10, 1935 – October 31, 2007), nicknamed "Big John", was an American athlete and law enforcement officer. He played as defensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) and was a member of four teams from 1958 to 1968. He served as sheriff of Wake County, North Carolina, from 1978 to 2002, becoming the first African-American sheriff in North Carolina since the Reconstruction era.

John Baker Jr.
Baker in 1959
Sheriff of Wake County, North Carolina
In office
December 4, 1978  2002
Succeeded byDonnie Harrison
Personal details
Born(1935-06-10)June 10, 1935
Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
DiedOctober 31, 2007(2007-10-31) (aged 72)
Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic

American football career
No. 73, 78
Position:DE / DT
Career information
High school:Raleigh (NC) Washington
College:North Carolina Central
NFL draft:1958 / Round: 5 / Pick: 56
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Games:131
Fumbles recovered:14
Interceptions:2
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR
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