Football can be a brutal, dangerous sport. Injuries are frequent, and deaths, sadly, have occurred. The following seven men all died as members of American Football League teams. Their deaths were not all brought about by football, but regardless, they deserve to be remembered.
Ralph Anderson – Wide Receiver
Los Angeles Chargers, 1960
Died of a diabetic seizure on November 26, 1960.
Frank Buncom – Linebacker
San Diego Chargers, 1962-1967; Cincinnati Bengals, 1968
Died of a pulmonary embolism on September 14, 1969.
Howard Glenn – Guard
New York Titans, 1960
Died of a complications from a broken neck on October 9, 1960.
Mack Lee Hill – Running Back
Kansas City Chiefs, 1964-1965
Died of complications during knee surgery on December 14, 1965.
Stone Johnson -Running Back
Kansas City Chiefs, 1963
Died of complications from a broken neck on September 8, 1963.
Buffalo Bills, 1968
Died in a mortar attack while serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War on July 21, 1970.
Bob Laraba – Linebacker, Quarterback, Punter
Los Angeles Chargers, 1960; San Diego Chargers, 1961
Died in an automobile accident on February 16, 1962.
