Brad Van Pelt - dead at 57 (1 Viewer)

[Ron_Mexico]

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/gia...0,2603295.story

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

RIP BVP

 

[Ron_Mexico]

He had a bar here in Santa Barbara, "Duffy Doughertys" back in the 90s.

Great guy, he'll be missed by many.

RIP

 

[brednbuddah]

wow. 57. way too young to go...

 

[Raider Nation]

Always thought # 10 was very cool for a LB. He was always overshadowed by the rest of that LB unit.

 

[Yenrub]

RIP he was one of my favorite Giants

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

RIP #10

Sparty Nation has lost a great one...way too young

 

[Rovers]

Always thought # 10 was very cool for a LB. He was always overshadowed by the rest of that LB unit.

He wasn't over shadowed at all. He made the pro bowl 5 years in a row. 76 to 80. LT was drafted in 81. Being in NY, I saw VanPelt play just about every game. This guy was very good. I think he was better than Carson. The thing that hurt him was the fact that the Giants were awful from 73, the year BVP was drafted right up until 81, when they finally had a winning season. Had he been on a good team, he could have been a long shot for the HoF, he was that good. Five consequetive years in the pro bowl... nothing to sneeze at. He WAS the Giants defense form 75 to 80.

 

[Matt Waldman]

First LB I got to really appreciate as a new fan to the game in the early 70s...57 really is way too young. Tough news...isn't his son Bradlee Van Pelt the former QB for the CSU Rams?

 

[Rovers]

First LB I got to really appreciate as a new fan to the game in the early 70s...57 really is way too young. Tough news...isn't his son Bradlee Van Pelt the former QB for the CSU Rams?

Yup, that's his son... I think he was also a backup for the Rams for 2 or 3 years. Back in those days I was as much a Giants fan as a Jets fan. VanPelt was one of the few reasons to even watch.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

Always thought # 10 was very cool for a LB. He was always overshadowed by the rest of that LB unit.

He wasn't over shadowed at all. He made the pro bowl 5 years in a row. 76 to 80. LT was drafted in 81. Being in NY, I saw VanPelt play just about every game. This guy was very good. I think he was better than Carson. The thing that hurt him was the fact that the Giants were awful from 73, the year BVP was drafted right up until 81, when they finally had a winning season. Had he been on a good team, he could have been a long shot for the HoF, he was that good. Five consequetive years in the pro bowl... nothing to sneeze at. He WAS the Giants defense form 75 to 80.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

First LB I got to really appreciate as a new fan to the game in the early 70s...57 really is way too young. Tough news...isn't his son Bradlee Van Pelt the former QB for the CSU Rams?

Yup, that's his son... I think he was also a backup for the Rams for 2 or 3 years.

That's him, but he never played for the STL Rams, just the CSU Rams (transferred from MSU). Broncos two years (until Cutler), and one with the Texans. If he didn't insist on playing QB in the NFL, he could still be in the league on D. He himself was one helluva athlete. Ran roughshod over the Mountain West and was loved in the locker room. Works for a wine company now...Back to Dad, didn't he play 3 sports (varsity) at MSU?

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Brad Van Pelt -- "an All-American boy, on the field and off" -- died unexpectedly Tuesday evening of an apparent heart attack at his home in Harrison, Mich. He was 57.

The news was met Wednesday in the Michigan State community with shock and grief. Former MSU football coach George Perles, who coached Van Pelt as an assistant under Duffy Daugherty, put it succinctly: "It is sad, sad, sad."

Those who knew Van Pelt -- a legendary three-sport athlete at MSU who had a decorated NFL career -- described him as humble, happy-go-lucky and tremendously gifted.

"He was just down-to-earth, a very caring and kind person, and a fun person to be around," said good friend and former MSU football teammate John Shinsky. "He cared about people. But probably the most significant thing about him is he was a humble person. Even with all his stardom with the (New York) Giants, you'd never know it."

Said Perles: "He was an All-American boy, on the field and off. He was Duffy's favorite. That was his boy."

Van Pelt arrived at MSU from Owosso, a farming community about 35 miles from Lansing, in 1970. He went on to earn seven varsity letters, playing football, baseball and basketball, and is regarded as the university's last major three-sport athlete.

Former MSU basketball coach Gus Ganakas said he "helped the position of power forward." As a pitcher at MSU, Van Pelt had a 2.10 ERA and won a Big Ten title.

But football was his first love. He was a two-time All-America and the first defensive back to win the Maxwell Award as the national player of the year in 1972.

"He was a man playing with little boys," said Spartan teammate and former NFL player Joe DeLamielleure. "Defensive backs then were 5-10, 190. Here's our defensive back, and he's 6-5, 236. Back then, he was a giant to play that position. But I always thought he had an offensive (player's) personality. He was gentler, kinder."

But he was dangerous, too. He had 14 interceptions at MSU, two he returned for touchdowns. In 2001, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Perles remembers Van Pelt this way: "He was the biggest defensive back. He played as a safety, but he could play any position. He was a quarterback in high school. Duffy had him ranked No. 1, and he certainly lived up to it.

"Brad was as good off the field as he was on it. There was just something about him. His personality was something that really attracted Duffy. Brad could do no wrong."

His teammates felt that way, too, it seems.

"I think more than anything Brad enjoyed the camaraderie of the players," DeLamielleure said. "He loved hanging around, joking around. He poked fun at himself. But Brad always had all the girls. He was good-looking, he drove a convertible. He was a typical college hero."

After college, Van Pelt spent most of his 14-year NFL career with the Giants, where he earned fame as one of the feared linebackers in the Crunch Bunch. During 11 seasons in New York (1973-83) he played in five Pro Bowls (1976-80). The Giants named him their player of the decade for the 1970s. He also played for the Raiders and Browns.

In recent years, Van Pelt kept busy with various fund-raising projects. He loved to golf, said Shinsky, and the two played together frequently. Van Pelt excelled on the fairways, too.

"All I know is this: My handicap is a lot bigger than his," Shinsky said. "He was a much better golfer than me. Brad was just a tremendous natural athlete."

Van Pelt didn't have any known health problems and was in fairly good shape, Shinsky said.

"It's shocking," DeLamielleure said. "He looked like Tarzan."

Van Pelt was twice divorced and was engaged at the time of his death. He had four sons, one who preceded him in death. Another, Bradlee, played quarterback at MSU before transferring to Colorado State and has played in the NFL with Denver and Houston.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

Brad Van Pelt -- "an All-American boy, on the field and off" -- died unexpectedly Tuesday evening of an apparent heart attack at his home in Harrison, Mich. He was 57.The news was met Wednesday in the Michigan State community with shock and grief. Former MSU football coach George Perles, who coached Van Pelt as an assistant under Duffy Daugherty, put it succinctly: "It is sad, sad, sad."Those who knew Van Pelt -- a legendary three-sport athlete at MSU who had a decorated NFL career -- described him as humble, happy-go-lucky and tremendously gifted."He was just down-to-earth, a very caring and kind person, and a fun person to be around," said good friend and former MSU football teammate John Shinsky. "He cared about people. But probably the most significant thing about him is he was a humble person. Even with all his stardom with the (New York) Giants, you'd never know it."Said Perles: "He was an All-American boy, on the field and off. He was Duffy's favorite. That was his boy."Van Pelt arrived at MSU from Owosso, a farming community about 35 miles from Lansing, in 1970. He went on to earn seven varsity letters, playing football, baseball and basketball, and is regarded as the university's last major three-sport athlete.Former MSU basketball coach Gus Ganakas said he "helped the position of power forward." As a pitcher at MSU, Van Pelt had a 2.10 ERA and won a Big Ten title.But football was his first love. He was a two-time All-America and the first defensive back to win the Maxwell Award as the national player of the year in 1972."He was a man playing with little boys," said Spartan teammate and former NFL player Joe DeLamielleure. "Defensive backs then were 5-10, 190. Here's our defensive back, and he's 6-5, 236. Back then, he was a giant to play that position. But I always thought he had an offensive (player's) personality. He was gentler, kinder."But he was dangerous, too. He had 14 interceptions at MSU, two he returned for touchdowns. In 2001, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.Perles remembers Van Pelt this way: "He was the biggest defensive back. He played as a safety, but he could play any position. He was a quarterback in high school. Duffy had him ranked No. 1, and he certainly lived up to it."Brad was as good off the field as he was on it. There was just something about him. His personality was something that really attracted Duffy. Brad could do no wrong."His teammates felt that way, too, it seems."I think more than anything Brad enjoyed the camaraderie of the players," DeLamielleure said. "He loved hanging around, joking around. He poked fun at himself. But Brad always had all the girls. He was good-looking, he drove a convertible. He was a typical college hero."After college, Van Pelt spent most of his 14-year NFL career with the Giants, where he earned fame as one of the feared linebackers in the Crunch Bunch. During 11 seasons in New York (1973-83) he played in five Pro Bowls (1976-80). The Giants named him their player of the decade for the 1970s. He also played for the Raiders and Browns.In recent years, Van Pelt kept busy with various fund-raising projects. He loved to golf, said Shinsky, and the two played together frequently. Van Pelt excelled on the fairways, too."All I know is this: My handicap is a lot bigger than his," Shinsky said. "He was a much better golfer than me. Brad was just a tremendous natural athlete."Van Pelt didn't have any known health problems and was in fairly good shape, Shinsky said."It's shocking," DeLamielleure said. "He looked like Tarzan."Van Pelt was twice divorced and was engaged at the time of his death. He had four sons, one who preceded him in death. Another, Bradlee, played quarterback at MSU before transferring to Colorado State and has played in the NFL with Denver and Houston.Funeral arrangements are pending.

So it was 3 sports. A 2.10 ERA? Damn. What an athlete. Probably one of the best, and last, great college 3-sport athletes. Hell, 2-sport for that matter...

 

[Turbo]

Very sad.

RIP BVP

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Brad Van Pelt -- "an All-American boy, on the field and off" -- died unexpectedly Tuesday evening of an apparent heart attack at his home in Harrison, Mich. He was 57.The news was met Wednesday in the Michigan State community with shock and grief. Former MSU football coach George Perles, who coached Van Pelt as an assistant under Duffy Daugherty, put it succinctly: "It is sad, sad, sad."Those who knew Van Pelt -- a legendary three-sport athlete at MSU who had a decorated NFL career -- described him as humble, happy-go-lucky and tremendously gifted."He was just down-to-earth, a very caring and kind person, and a fun person to be around," said good friend and former MSU football teammate John Shinsky. "He cared about people. But probably the most significant thing about him is he was a humble person. Even with all his stardom with the (New York) Giants, you'd never know it."Said Perles: "He was an All-American boy, on the field and off. He was Duffy's favorite. That was his boy."Van Pelt arrived at MSU from Owosso, a farming community about 35 miles from Lansing, in 1970. He went on to earn seven varsity letters, playing football, baseball and basketball, and is regarded as the university's last major three-sport athlete.Former MSU basketball coach Gus Ganakas said he "helped the position of power forward." As a pitcher at MSU, Van Pelt had a 2.10 ERA and won a Big Ten title.But football was his first love. He was a two-time All-America and the first defensive back to win the Maxwell Award as the national player of the year in 1972."He was a man playing with little boys," said Spartan teammate and former NFL player Joe DeLamielleure. "Defensive backs then were 5-10, 190. Here's our defensive back, and he's 6-5, 236. Back then, he was a giant to play that position. But I always thought he had an offensive (player's) personality. He was gentler, kinder."But he was dangerous, too. He had 14 interceptions at MSU, two he returned for touchdowns. In 2001, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.Perles remembers Van Pelt this way: "He was the biggest defensive back. He played as a safety, but he could play any position. He was a quarterback in high school. Duffy had him ranked No. 1, and he certainly lived up to it."Brad was as good off the field as he was on it. There was just something about him. His personality was something that really attracted Duffy. Brad could do no wrong."His teammates felt that way, too, it seems."I think more than anything Brad enjoyed the camaraderie of the players," DeLamielleure said. "He loved hanging around, joking around. He poked fun at himself. But Brad always had all the girls. He was good-looking, he drove a convertible. He was a typical college hero."After college, Van Pelt spent most of his 14-year NFL career with the Giants, where he earned fame as one of the feared linebackers in the Crunch Bunch. During 11 seasons in New York (1973-83) he played in five Pro Bowls (1976-80). The Giants named him their player of the decade for the 1970s. He also played for the Raiders and Browns.In recent years, Van Pelt kept busy with various fund-raising projects. He loved to golf, said Shinsky, and the two played together frequently. Van Pelt excelled on the fairways, too."All I know is this: My handicap is a lot bigger than his," Shinsky said. "He was a much better golfer than me. Brad was just a tremendous natural athlete."Van Pelt didn't have any known health problems and was in fairly good shape, Shinsky said."It's shocking," DeLamielleure said. "He looked like Tarzan."Van Pelt was twice divorced and was engaged at the time of his death. He had four sons, one who preceded him in death. Another, Bradlee, played quarterback at MSU before transferring to Colorado State and has played in the NFL with Denver and Houston.Funeral arrangements are pending.

So it was 3 sports. A 2.10 ERA? Damn. What an athlete. Probably one of the best, and last, great college 3-sport athletes. Hell, 2-sport for that matter...

Pretty much the best all-around athlete that ever came out of MSU.