Legendary Athlete Found Dead – Fans Shocked

by Sierra Marlee | June 15, 2016 3:28 pm

I’m not a big sports fan, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t respect the successes of a pro athlete and feel empathy for their passing.

Curley Johnson, punter for the Super Bowl-winning Jets[1], passed away at the ripe old age of 80 years old.

breakingnews[2]

From The New York Times:

Curley Johnson, who punted for the Jets in their Super Bowl victory over the heavily favored Baltimore Colts in 1969, died on Sunday at his home in Granbury, Tex. He was 80.

The Jets announced his death but did not specify the cause.

Johnson, who during his career also played running back and tight end and returned kickoffs, signed with the Jets, then known as the New York Titans, as a free agent in 1961 and played for the franchise through the 1968 season.

He set a franchise season record with a gross punting average of 45.3 yards in 1965, which lasted until Robert Malone broke it in 2012 with 45.8. Ryan Quigley topped Malone’s mark two years later with a 45.9 average

Johnson was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers out of the University of Houston in the seventh round of the 1957 National Football League draft, and he made his playing debut in 1960 with the Dallas Texans. His first pro points came on a 2-point conversion reception against the Titans in 1960.

May he rest in peace. He lived a wonderful, successful life and it deserves to be celebrated.

Endnotes:
  1. Super Bowl-winning Jets: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/14/sports/football/curley-johnson-punter-for-super-bowl-winning-69-jets-dies-at-80.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fobituaries&action=click&contentCollection=obituaries&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=3&pgtype=sectionfront&_r=2
  2. [Image]: https://rightwingnews1.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/breakingnews-1.jpg

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