brad van pelt

Some information, such as that pertaining to the circumstances of the person's death and surrounding events, may change rapidly as more facts become known. Brad Van Pelt Position(s):

Linebacker Jersey #(s):

10 Born: April 5, 1951(1951-04-05)

Owosso, Michigan Died: February 17, 2009 (aged 57)

Owosso, Michigan Career information Year(s): 1973–1986 NFL Draft: 1973 / Round: 2 / Pick: 40 College: Michigan State Professional teams New York Giants (1973-1983) Los Angeles Raiders (1984-1985) Cleveland Browns (1986) Career stats Sacks 24.5 Interceptions 20 Games played 184 Stats at NFL.com Career highlights and awards 5× Pro Bowl selection (1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980) 1972 Maxwell Award College Football Hall of Fame

Brad Alan Van Pelt (April 5, 1951 – February 17, 2009) was an American football linebacker who played fourteen seasons in the National Football League.

A two-time All-American and 1972 Maxwell Award winner as college footbaall's best player, he was drafted by the New York Giants, earning five Pro Bowl selections at linebacker between 1976 to 1980 during his ten years with the team. He rounded out his career with the Los Angeles Raiders from 1984 to 1985, and the Cleveland Browns in 1986.

Van Pelt is the father of former Denver Broncos and Houston Texans quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt. Contents [hide] 1 Early years 2 College career 3 Professional career 4 Post NFL 5 Death 6 See also 7 References 8 External links //

Early years

Van Pelt attended high school at Owosso High School where in 1969 he was named all-state as a quarterback.[1]

College career

He played college football at Michigan State University where he was a two time All-American, in 1971 unanimous in 1972 and also won the Maxwell Award as the nation's best player, the first time a defensive back won the award. He was also named Chevrolet Defensive Player of the Year and Columbus Touchdown Club Defensive Player of the Year.[2]

In his college career, Van Pelt had fourteen interceptions returning two of them for touchdowns. He followed his senior season playing in the East-West Shrine Game, the Hula Bowl, and the College All-Star Game. Van Pelt was also a noted basketball player and baseball player.

Professional career

As a member of the Giants, Van Pelt was a member of the Crunch Bunch, a team of fierce linebackers composed of Van Pelt, Brian Kelley, Lawrence Taylor, and Harry Carson. The group is widely considered one of the best defensive combos in NFL history. He was also named player of decade for the 1970s by the Giants.

During his 11-year career with the franchise, the Giants posted a winning record only once, in 1981, when New York reached the playoffs for the only time in a 20-year stretch between 1964 and 1983. Van Pelt also has the unusual distinction of playing for the franchise in four different home stadiums: Yankee Stadium, the Yale Bowl, Shea Stadium, and Giants Stadium.