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2014 Deaths 21-40

Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2014 12:41 am
by oldecapecod11
oldecapecod 11

2014 Player Deaths
Started by LJP, Jan 10 2014 06:26 PM
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#21 BrownsHistorian
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Posted 14 March 2014 - 05:51 PM

Sorry, the Formatting looked fine before I posted it...I guess one cane not Copy & paste from Excel & depend on it translating on a web page CRC

#22 Ken Crippen
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Posted 15 March 2014 - 08:22 AM

Ken Russell died March 11:

http://www.legacy.co...l&pid=170140213

#23 LJP
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Posted 20 March 2014 - 07:00 AM

Former Bills T Ed Meyer died March 15, aged 77.

http://www.legacy.co...r&pid=170230970

#24 Tod Maher
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Posted 22 March 2014 - 11:52 AM

According to the Oldest Living Player website Bobby Thompson, who played for the Detroit Lions in the 1960s (and also the CFL) died March 11th in Los Angeles, CA. It says it was published in the Arizona Daily Star on March 16 but I can find NO mention of it on the Arizona Daily Stars website, Legacy.com or through searching via Google.
Is this a false report?

#25 LJP
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Posted 23 March 2014 - 05:19 AM

Former Bears, Browns & Bills QB Tommy O'Connell died March 20, aged 83.

http://www.legacy.co...L&pid=170301913

#26 nicefellow31
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Posted 25 March 2014 - 03:16 PM

Ralph Wilson, owner of the Buffalo Bills passes March 25, aged 95.

http://espn.go.com/n...s-owner-dies-95

#27 Teo
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Posted 26 March 2014 - 06:07 AM

Hank Lauricella, a QB/P who played in 1952 for the Dallas Texans, died on March 25. He was 83 years old:

http://www.knoxnews....ds-single-wing/

http://www.pro-footb.../L/LaurHa20.htm

#28 BD Sullivan
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Posted 28 March 2014 - 04:07 PM

Tom Mikula, who played one game with the 1948 AAFC Brooklyn Dodgers died "earlier this week" at the age of 87:

http://www.vagazette...,0,902238.story

http://www.pro-footb.../M/MikuTo20.htm

#29 BD Sullivan
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Posted 31 March 2014 - 09:07 AM

In an obituary for one of their sportswriters, Lonnie White, the LA Times has this misleading information: "He made the New Orleans Saints roster in the NFL's strike-shortened 1987 season before beginning his journalism career." Since he isn't listed as having played for them that year, I assume that means he was signed by them, but cut during training camp.

#30 Tod Maher
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Posted 31 March 2014 - 12:44 PM

BD Sullivan, on 31 Mar 2014 - 09:07 AM, said:
In an obituary for one of their sportswriters, Lonnie White, the LA Times has this misleading information: "He made the New Orleans Saints roster in the NFL's strike-shortened 1987 season before beginning his journalism career." Since he isn't listed as having played for them that year, I assume that means he was signed by them, but cut during training camp.

Signed by the Saints on 5/15/1987, placed on injured reserve 8/27/1987 but then cut before season on 9/7/1987.

#31 Mark Durr
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Posted 04 April 2014 - 05:12 PM

Television sports director Sandy Grossman, who worked behind the scenes with the announcing team of Pat Summerall and John Madden for more than two decades and directed the broadcasts of ten Super Bowls, died of cancer at the age of 78 in his home in Boca Raton, Florida on Wednesday, April 2:

http://www.palmbeach...es-at-78/nfRNb/

http://www.nytimes.c...dies-at-78.html

#32 BrownsHistorian
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Posted 06 April 2014 - 10:39 PM

William Henry "Bill" Boedecker (1947 - 1949 Browns DHB ) Has Passed on at the Age of 90

William Henry Boedeker, Jr. (March 7, 1924 – March 21, 2014) was a halfback in the All-America Football Conference and National Football League who played for the Chicago Rockets, the Cleveland Browns, the Philadelphia Eagles & finished his career with the Green Bay Packers.

A graduate of North Side High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Boedeker was to start college but upon being drafted, he entered the U.S. Army and started at DePaul University because he was being sent to train at DePaul University in Chicago. At DePaul, he played basketball on successful teams with George Mikan, before serving in World War II, including a freshman team that won 17 of 18 games in the 1942–1943 season. Boedeker got in the War in the Spring of 1943. Boedeker was awarded a Bronze Star Medal and a Purple Heart during World War II.

Returning after three years of service, Boedeker planned to return to DePaul to play basketball, but was first given a tryout to play for the Chicago Rockets, in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) in 1946. He had not played football in college and had a piece of shrapnel in his leg from the war, but a DePaul basketball coach recommended him to the Rockets nevertheless. Boedeker made the team, making him the first person from Fort Wayne to play professional football. He was with the Rockets for 1 year. During his time in Cleveland, however, Boedeker continued his college studies at Kalamazoo College between seasons with the Browns.

Boedeker was traded to the Cleveland Browns on February 5th, 1947 in a 2 for 1 trade. This trade involved former Browns Team Captain Jim Daniell (OT & C ) & John "Pinky" Harrington (End). Daniell, a good player whom fell out of favor with Head Coach Paul Brown because he had been arrested for drinking, had been cut on 2/04/47, so trading "His Rights" to Chicago along with a 4th string End, seemed like a great deal for Paul Brown. Boedeker spent three seasons there. The Browns won the AAFC championship each of those years.
Boedeker played as a halfback in Cleveland as part of a rushing attack that featured Marion Motley and Edgar Jones. He was also a kick returner. Paul Brown, the Head Coach of the Browns, called him "one of the most reckless runners who ever played for us and a terror when he ran back kicks" Boedeker's reckless running style earned him praise but also caused frequent injury. Brown said in 1949 that he was not careless but a "special kind of talent" which caused him to get hurt.
Cleveland finished the 1947 season with a 12–1–1 record with Boedeker in the backfield and beat the New York Yankees in the AAFC championship game. The team finished the 1948 season with a perfect record, winning all of its games and another championship. A third championship followed in 1949, but the AAFC dissolved after the season and the Browns were absorbed into the more established National Football League (NFL). Because of the surplus of AAFC players now available, and a uniformed draft, Boedeker left the team in the Spring of 1950.
In 1950, Boedeker then played for the Packers and he went from there to the Eagles for 1 game at year end. He retired after the 1950 season.

William Henry "Bill" Boedecker 24 * Born Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 7, 1924 William Henry "Bill" Boedecker 47 b cmp HB 99 5' 11" 189 Kalamazoo College added via trde 2/3/47- (Chi Rockets) in a 2/1 trade (Daniell & Harrington) William Henry "Bill" Boedecker 47 Reg HB 99 5' 11" 190 Kalamazoo College 12 games William Henry "Bill" Boedecker 48 Reg HB 99 5' 11" 192 Kalamazoo College 14 games William Henry "Bill" Boedecker 49 Reg HB 99 5' 11" 195 Kalamazoo College 12 games I TD William Henry "Bill" Boedecker 50 b.cmp HB 99 5' 11" 195 Kalamazoo College William Henry "Bill" Boedecker 14 X Dies in Fort Wayne, Ind , age 90, at the Towne House Retirement Center in his sleep
YEAR TEAM POS GP GS AWARDS 1946 Chicago Rockets (AAFC) ROH-DB 11 1 1947 Cleveland Browns (AAFC) LOH 13 6 1948 Cleveland Browns (AAFC) LOH 12 3 1949 Cleveland Browns (AAFC) LOH 12 7 1950 Green Bay Packers (NFL) LOH 12 1950 Philadelphia Eagles (NFL) LOH 1 1950 Year (NFL) 13 5 Years 61 17

#33 Tod Maher
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Posted 07 April 2014 - 01:11 PM

BrownsHistorian, on 06 Apr 2014 - 10:39 PM, said:
William Henry "Bill" Boedecker (1947 - 1949 Browns DHB ) Has Passed on at the Age of 90


Boedeker was not sent to DePaul by the Army. He did not enlist until March 12, 1943.
He was traded by the Browns to the Packers on September 5, 1950.
Also, listing as Kalamazoo as his college is incorrect, since he only went there after turning pro, thus no longer eligible to play college football and he wasn't he even in school during the football season. DePaul is his college.

#34 BD Sullivan
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Posted 09 April 2014 - 08:42 PM

Chris Banks, who played from 1998-2000 with Denver (first two years) and Atlanta, has died at the age of 41:

http://www.baltimore...0,7600477.story

http://www.pro-footb.../B/BankCh20.htm

#35 BD Sullivan
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Posted 15 April 2014 - 06:32 PM

Fred Enke, a quarterback with three teams (Detroit, Philly, Baltimore) from 1948-53 has died at the age of 89:

http://azstarnet.com...13e339542d.html

http://www.pro-footb.../E/EnkeFr20.htm

#36 evan
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Posted 16 April 2014 - 06:59 AM

For those who were fans of "The Complete Handbook of Pro Football", we lost a member of our family when Zander Hollander passed on April 11 at the age of 91. On a personal note, from re-reading his books over and over as a youngster, I absorbed some aspects of his writing style, and thus have found sustained employment through writing for my entire adult life. RIP, Mr. Hollander, you did make a difference in lives of others.

http://www.nytimes.c...obituaries&_r=1

An excerpt from the obituary: Before televised sports were pervasive and the Internet a nonstop gusher of sports trivia, Mr. Hollander found a niche in the market by annually providing statistics, team rosters, records, schedules and predictions for the coming season in the form of brick-size tomes he titled “Complete Handbooks.” He offered them for hockey, baseball, soccer and college and professional football and basketball. Sports aficionados regarded the texts, dense with information and illustrated with black-and-white photographs, almost as holy books.

#37 LJP
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Posted 17 April 2014 - 04:25 AM

Former Browns, Eagles, Packers & Broncos DT Don King died April 15, aged 85.

http://www.legacy.co...g&pid=170681949

#38 BrownsHistorian
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Posted 17 April 2014 - 01:53 PM

Donald William King - SAVANNAH

Donald William King, 85, of Savannah, Georgia, died April 15, 2014 after an extended illness.
He was born in McBee, South Carolina on March 11, 1929 to Evelyn and William King.
He played football at the University of Kentucky under Coach Bear Bryant.

In 1950 he joined the Marine Corps at Parris Island, during which time he met his beloved wife Emilie Elizabeth Cetchovich.
They were married for over 52 years and were blessed with one child, their daughter, Kimberly Kay King of Savannah.

After serving in the Marine Corps he joined the NFL Cleveland Browns as a Free Agent during Training Camp and played on the 1954 Championship team. Don was 6' 3" tall and wore #79 and was active for the 8 games- and was then relegated tothe Browns Taxi Squad for the final 2 games.

The reason for the shift to Taxi Squad was due to a minor injury and that DT Bob Gain was released from the Service.
Prior to being in the Air Force, Bob Gain wore #74. As OT Mike McCormick had #74, the Browns assigned Gain- King's number, # 79, which Gain kept the rest of his career.

There are no reports of Don for the 1955 season

He continued his football career with the Philadelphia Eagles ( 1956) for 3 games then , also in 1956, he was at Green Bay for 6 games. Then there is a gap of 4 years before he finished as a player on the inaugural AFC Denver Broncos in 1960.

Don returned to Savannah and coached the Savannah Indians semi-pro football team, who won the 1968 League Championship. He was named Coach of the year.

Don served as a U.S. Deputy Federal Marshall from 1970 to 1991 and received Commendation for Sustained Superior Performance.

#39 Tod Maher
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Posted 17 April 2014 - 02:20 PM
BrownsHistorian, on 17 Apr 2014 - 1:53 PM, said:

Donald William King - SAVANNAH
Donald William King, 85, of Savannah, Georgia, died April 15, 2014 after an extended illness.


There are no reports of Don for the 1955 season

He played at Kentucky in 1950 as a sophomore (but did not letter) before going into the Marine Corps during the Korean War.
Also, he played for the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1955. In 1957 he was a late cut by Eagles and in 1961 he was in camp with the Patriots.

#40 65 toss power trap
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Posted 22 April 2014 - 09:12 PM

Former NFL, AFL, and USFL official Gerald Hart died at the age of 83. He worked as a line judge in the AFL and an umpire after the merger.

http://www.footballz...14/04/21/10830/

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