Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

I would think it would be wise to not list everyone who was ever drafted but never played in any official games. Otherwise, this thread might end up being 200 pages by the end of the year. For one thing, the encyclopedias don't bother with these individuals.

LJP wrote:Bears 1940 18th round draft choice (#167) Dr. Ralph Schlosser died February 2, aged 98.

http://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/grand ... =183948930

Interesting. I read Dr. Schlosser's obituary and it says that during World War II he enlisted in the Navy, became a pilot, and flew combat missons from the light aircraft carrier USS San Jacinto. One of his shipmates and fellow pilots, did the Super Bowl LI coin toss yesterday. Another gentleman assigned to that ship, served as an ammo-loader on a 40mm gun as member of 3rd Marine Division. That Marine, was Art "Fatso" Donovan.

Former Chargers & Oilers DL Ron Billingsley died February 5, aged 71.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/gadsde ... =184092281

Former Dolphin Quentin Moses died in a house fire at the age of 33:

http://www.sbnation.com/2017/2/12/14591 ... a-bulldogs

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/p ... seQu99.htm

Former Browns, Chargers, Raiders & Chiefs assistant coach Dave Adolph died February 12, aged 79.

http://obits.cleveland.com/obituaries/c ... =184132935

Forner Patriots DB Leonard Myers, who also played with three other teams, died of cancer at the age of 38:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... at-age-38/

Former Lions C Ed Eiden died January 29th, aged 95.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washin ... =184181658

http://www.nfl.com/player/edeiden/2513520/profile

Former NFLPA executive director Ed Garvey has died:

http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/g ... df773.html

Former Cowboys beat writer Gary Cartwright died at the age of 82:

http://www.dallasnews.com/obituaries/ob ... -hollywood

BD Sullivan wrote:Former Cowboys beat writer Gary Cartwright died at the age of 82:

http://www.dallasnews.com/obituaries/ob ... -hollywood

Other stories said Cartwright took a fall at home breaking his leg, and that he lay immobile on the floor for four or five days until a neighbor came to check on him. He died soon after being taken to the hospital.

I was in the fifth grade when Cartwright wrote his memorable "Four Horsemen" lede about yet another Don Meredith late-game failure, and at the time, I thought it was kinda funny. But over the years, I've come to see it as not so funny. Sportswriters have no idea how hurtful their words can sometimes be. As a fan, I've carried that feeling over into how I comment about players, especially after a bad game. Cartwright wrote later that he had come to regret some of the things he wrote and said about Meredith. I also read a story that Meredith calmed his teammates who wanted to lynch Cartwright after that lede. Meredith said he was only doing his job, and apparently, they remained friends.

Like Teddy Roosevelt said, it's the one in the arena who matters, not us cold fishes on the sidelines (or in the pressbox). Rest in peace, Mr. Cartwright.