He attended East Orange High School in New Jersey, graduating in 1958. Amos was not only a bright student academically but also excelled in athletics, particularly football and basketball.

Collegiate and Early Professional Football Career

After high school, Amos enrolled at Long Beach City College and later transferred to Colorado State University, where he earned a degree in sociology. While at Colorado State, he played on the football team, demonstrating considerable athletic talent.

In 1964, Amos briefly signed with the Denver Broncos; however, he was released the following day due to injury concerns. Subsequently, he played for various minor league football teams, including the Joliet Explorers of the United Football League, and the Norfolk Neptunes and Wheeling Ironmen of the Continental Football League. Despite his persistence, Amos soon realized that a professional sports career was not his true calling. This realization was partially influenced by renowned coach Hank Stram, who candidly told him he was trying too hard to be something he was not.

Transition to Entertainment

Following his departure from football, Amos turned to writing and performance, including poetry and acting. His first significant television role was as the weatherman Gordy Howard on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, which he held from 1970 to 1973. In 1971, he appeared in a McDonald's commercial that further increased his visibility.

From 1974 to 1976, Amos played a recurring role in the sitcom Maude, appearing in 61 episodes. He also acted in several films during the 1970s, including The World's Greatest Athlete (1973) and Let's Do It Again (1975), where he starred alongside Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby. His filmography reflects steady work throughout the years, contributing to both television and cinema with credibility and versatility.