Tennessee State University & NFL Hall Of Famer Claude Humphrey Dies At 77

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Former Tennessee State University football player and Pro Football Hall of Famer Claude Humphrey died on Friday (Dec. 3) at the age of 77.

Humphrey was an All-American defensive tackle at TSU, playing for the Tigers from 1964 to 1967. He was initially an offensive tackle, but was switched to defensive end in his freshman year, where he became a three-time All-American.

Humphrey solidified himself as a Tigers legend by playing in four college all-star games in his senior year: the Senior Bowl, the Blue-Gray Game, the Coaches All-American Game and the College All-Star game. He finished his collegiate career as the all-time leader in sacks at TSU with 39 and currently ranks fifth.

“I would like to extend my deepest condolences to Mr. Humphrey’s family during this very difficult time,” says Director of Athletics, Dr. Mikki Allen. “Mr. Humphrey was truly loved by his TSU family and across the landscape of football.”

He went on to have a stellar professional career, being selected in the first round of the 1968 NFL Draft and going third overall to the Atlanta Falcons. In his rookie season in Atlanta, he was named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Humphrey played 13 seasons in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons (1968-74, 76-77) and the Philadelphia Eagles (1979-81).

Humphrey was named All-NFL or All-Pro eight times, and he was selected to the Pro Bowl on six different occasions during his tenure in Atlanta. In his 1980 season with the Eagles, Humphrey totaled a team-high 14.5 sacks on the way to an NFC Championship and an appearance in Super Bowl XV.

“The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Claude Humphrey,” says Jim Porter, president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. “Known as a hard worker and a reliable teammate, Humphrey was always willing to help the team wherever needed and knew success was achieved collectively. His humble spirit guided him on and off the field.”

Humphrey has been inducted into the Tennessee State University Hall of Fame, Georgia Hall of Fame, Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame, Tennessee Hall of Fame, Atlanta Falcons Hall of Fame, and his high school’s Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014, and his college and high school both retired his jersey.

Steven Boero
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