Background
Faulkner was born in Tipton, Indiana, and attended Hamilton Heights High School in Arcadia, Indiana.
Faulkner was born in Tipton, Indiana, and attended Hamilton Heights High School in Arcadia, Indiana.
Faulkner attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for the Florida Gators football team from 1972 to 1982.
He played college football for the University of Florida. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 1983 NFL Draft, and played for the Los Angeles Rams and San Diego Chargers. He had never played organized football until his senior year at Hamilton Heights, when he was used as a running back and punter.
After being converted to tight end in his redshirt year, he became a three-year starter splitting time with Mike Mularkey.
He finished his college career with 71 receptions for 752 yards and eight touchdowns. Dallas Cowboys
Faulkner was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 1983 NFL Draft.
Although he was expected to be a blocking option in the two tight end packages, after having problems with his assignments, the team kept undrafted rookie Cleo Simmons instead and waived Faulkner on August 22. Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams signed him as a free agent on January 31, 1984, with the intention of moving him to the offensive line, but after experiencing injury problems in the tight end position, the team canceled its original plan.
On November 27, 1984, the team placed him on the reserve/non-football illness list.
He was cut on August 27, 1985. San Diego Chargers
Faulkner was signed as a free agent by the San Diego Chargers on August 31, 1985, to be the team"s third tight end while Kellen Winslow recovered from his serious knee injury. He remained on the roster by being able to play different positions (fullback, tight end and guard), until suffering a season ending knee injury in the ninth game against the Denver Broncos.
During the 1986 training camp he was switched to the defensive line, before being released on August 26.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed him as a free agent on October 21, 1986, and waived him two days later.