Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Jim Furey, former linebacker with the New York Titans died on January 28th, at age 91:


https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituar ... y-11644820


https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... reJi20.htm

Rich Caster, former tight end/wide receiver with the New York Jets, Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints and Washington Redskins died on February 2nd, at the age of 75:

https://nypost.com/2024/02/04/sports/ri ... ead-at-75/



https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... stRi00.htm

Eagles One wrote: ↑Sat Feb 03, 2024 12:49 pm Alonzo Johnson, former linebacker with the Philadelphia Eagles died on February 1st, at the age of 60:

Went to college with 'Zo. Good dude. This saddens me.

Michael Hicks, former running back with the Chicago Bears died on February 1st, at the age of 51:


https://www.si.com/college/hbcu/footbal ... sses-at-51


https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... ckMi20.htm

Rod Sherman, former wide receiver with the Oakland Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams died on February 6th, at the age of 79:


https://usctrojans.com/news/2024/2/8/fo ... -dies.aspx


https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... erRo00.htm

Jerry Wampfler, former longtime NFL offensive & defensive lines coach died on January 21st at age 91:


https://hoytfuneralhome.com/tribute/det ... tuary.html

Fulton Kuykendall, former linebacker with the Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers died on February 15th, at the age of 70:


https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-falc ... OA7L37PNU/


https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... ykFu00.htm

Winnipeg Blue Bombers legends, and Canadian Football Hall of Fame members, Ken Ploen and Gerry James both passed away on February 13th. Both men were four time Grey Cup champions during the Bud Grant era.

Ploen, as quarterback of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, was the 1956 season Big 10 Player of the Year and also the MVP in the subsequent 1957 Rose Bowl game as he led the Hawkeyes to a 35-19 victory over Oregon State. He signed with Winnipeg, rather than the Cleveland Browns, in 1957 and played mostly quarterback but also some defensive back in his early years. In fact, Ploen was primarily a defensive back and part-time running back in 1958 and 59 when Michigan grad Jim Van Pelt started and starred at QB. Ploen was an all-star as a DB in 1959 when he intercepted 10 passes. He was the Western Interprovincial Football Union (WIFU) all-star at QB in 1957 and a CFL all-star in 1965. He retired after the 1967 season and remained in Winnipeg for the rest of his life.

James, a running back and kicker, was a graduate of Winnipeg’s Kelvin High School football program and starred with the Blue Bombers from 1952-62. He played his first games as a professional as a 17 year old. He twice won the Schenley Award as the Outstanding Canadian Player, in 1954 and 57. James also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1955-60 after the Blue Bombers season ended.

Sadly, there are not many links to the Bud Grant era still with us.

Golden Richards passed away today, Feb 23, 2024, in Murray, UT; he was 73:

https://www.deseret.com/2024/2/23/24081 ... -age-of-73

Kent Kramer, former tight end with the San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings & Philadelphia Eagles died on February 21st, at age 79:


https://www.turrentinejacksonmorrow.com ... lin-kramer


https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... amKe00.htm