Francisco in the following week. He continued playing for the Giants until 1985. Then after spending 1986 with the Los Angeles Rams, Carpenter retired with 6,070 career yards from scrimmage and 34 touchdowns. In his final years on the Giants, Carpenter served as a mentor to fullback John Tuggle, who was the last pick of the 1983 NFL draft. Carpenter helped Tuggle became the first player ever picked last in the draft to make the NFL on the team that drafted him, and Tuggle ended up relieving him as starting fullback when he suffered an injury in week 13. Tuggle was diagnosed with cancer in the offseason and never played again, dying on August 30th, 1986. Carpenter said the experience effected him significantly, telling the New York Times "I think about him every day. I loved his enthusiasm right away. He was very positive and friendly, so I tried to get him that fifth running back spot on the team." Carpenter also said Tuggle's struggle with cancer influenced his decision to leave the team in 1985, stating "I had a hard time dealing with it. Since I felt so responsible for his making the team, I felt I had to get out of there." References 1955 births Living people People from Lancaster, Ohio American football running backs Miami RedHawks football players Houston Oilers players New York Giants players Los Angeles Rams players