Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end Claude Humphrey has passed away at the age of 77.
The former Atlanta Falcons/Philadelphia Eagles superstar died on Friday night, according to a family member.
Hall of Famer Claude Humphrey passed away last night at the age of 77. Enshrined into the Hall of Fame in 2014, Humphrey played 13 seasons of professional football with the @AtlantaFalcons (1968-1978) and the @Eagles (1979-1981).
📰 : https://t.co/Zw3SeBvBMc#HOFForever pic.twitter.com/H8kTsSOiPi
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) December 4, 2021
Following a standout collegiate career at Tennessee State, Humphrey was selected with the third overall pick in the 1968 AFL-NFL Draft. His impact on the Falcons’ defensive unit was immediate — logging 11.5 sacks through 14 games in his first season and earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. From then on, he went on to collect 99.5 sacks through 10 years with the Atlanta franchise.
Closing out his professional career with three seasons in Philadelphia (including a 1980 Super Bowl run under head coach Dick Vermeil), Humphrey solidified himself as the league’s 24th leader in career sacks with 130.0. Along the way, he amassed six Pro-Bowl selections and two All-Pro honors.
“I was aggressive, very aggressive. I tried to play the game to the point where when I walked off the field, there was nothing that I didn’t cover. I tried to play all out. I didn’t take any prisoners. I just tried to do my job,” Humphrey said during his Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement speech in 2014.
Humphrey was also elected to the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
Rest In Peace 2012 @BCFHOF Inductee, Claude Humphrey pic.twitter.com/EnaQhgPBhv
— BlackCollegeFootball (@BCFHOF) December 4, 2021
Claude Humphrey’s impact on the game of football and the world around him was evidenced by the public reaction to his passing.
We are saddened by the loss of Claude Humphrey. The Hall of Fame flag will be flown at half-staff in Claude’s memory.#HOFForever pic.twitter.com/uO5YhJOmnQ
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) December 4, 2021
So sad to hear about the passing of my Hall of Fame teammate Claude Humphrey.
Rest In Peace my friend.— Ron Jaworski (@JawsCEOQB) December 4, 2021
RIP to Falcons legend and career Atlanta sack leader Claude Humphrey. pic.twitter.com/bgKh0Ahe83
— Scott Carasik (@CarasikS) December 4, 2021
Our thoughts are with the Humphrey family through this difficult time.
The post Pro Football Hall Of Fame DE Passes Away At 77 appeared first on The Spun.