Alphonso Ellis dies at age 35

ATHENS, Ga., March 21 (UPI) -- Alphonso Ellis, a former fullback at Georgia who blocked for three star tailbacks, died Friday after a long illness. He was 35.

Ellis played 42 games for the Bulldogs and lettered from 1987-90. While he rushed for just 599 yards and one touchdown, he was the primary blocker for All-Southeastern Conference tailbacks Tim Worley, Rodney Hampton and Garrison Hearst.

"He was one of those guys who was a tremendous competitor," said Loran Smith, executive secretary of the Georgia Bulldog Club.

A native of Thomasville, Ga., Ellis was serving as a police officer in Dallas.