NFL rocked by legend's tragic death during fishing competition
The NFL world is mourning the tragic death of Pete Lammons, who won the Super Bowl with the New York Jets in 1969.
Lammons died after he fell from a boat during a fishing competition on the Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Texas.
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He was 77.
Major League Fishing announced in a statement that Lammons was participating in an event when he slipped from his boat and fell into the water.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department confirmed Lammons’ identity and an autopsy was ordered.
In its statement, MLF said San Augustine County Game Warden Travis Fountain responded to a call about an angler who had fallen overboard.
Rescue attempts were unsuccessful and Lammons' body was later recovered using sonar.
Lammons was competing in his 57th career tournament in the MLF Toyota Series.
"Pete was a proven champion," former Texas Longhorns teammate Ted Koy.
"But off the field, he was a humble person and very likeable."
NFL world mourns death of Pete Lammons
Lammons, a native of Jacksonville, Texas, who was living in Houston, was drafted by the Jets in the eighth round of the 1966 AFL draft out of Texas — after helping lead the Longhorns to the national championship in 1963.
He was also drafted by the NFL's Cleveland Browns in 1966, but opted to play for the Jets.
Lammons played six seasons in New York and helped deliver the franchise its first and still only Super Bowl title.
He famously caught two passes from Joe Namath for 13 yards in the upset win over the Baltimore Colts in 1969.
His best personal season came in 1967, when he had a career-best 45 catches and was selected to the AFL All-Star team.
Lammons played his final NFL season in 1972 with Green Bay.
He finished with 185 career receptions for 2364 yards and 14 touchdowns in seven seasons.
Lammons' death sparked an outpouring of shock and sadness on social media.
Very sad news, I was fortunate to interview Pete Lammons a couple of times with his ties to East Texas and played for Jacksonville High School. https://t.co/eTUJe9v088
— David Smoak (@DavidSmoak) April 30, 2021
Tragic news struck the NFL world this week, as former New York Jets tight end Pete Lammons passed away on Thursday in a boating accident. He was 77 years old. Lammons fell overboard at the dock while preparing for a fishing tournament in Texas.😞 pic.twitter.com/z0vRrdYcFT
— Sumner Bennett (@diamondlass99) April 30, 2021
Sad news with passing of Longhorn Legend Pete Lammons. National Champ, Super Bowl Champ, All-SWC, All-Pro & Texas Athletics Hall of Honor. He was the first truly great College & Pro Tight End for Texas, leaves an awesome legacy and will be dearly missed🙏🏻https://t.co/yMAiYcturL
— John Bianco (@UT_Bianco) April 30, 2021
RIP to #Jets SB TE Pete Lammons..May He Rest In Peace.. #TakeFlight @nyjets 🙏🏻😔 pic.twitter.com/KXGBEC59XC
— Robert (@GangGreen580) May 1, 2021
Rest in peace Super Bowl III champion Pete Lammons. #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/sBSRjj7s4W
— Ken Gelman (@kengfunk) April 30, 2021
A tragic loss. Pete Lammons was part of an era where pro NFL’ers had earn their respect by setting the example to others how to be a better person. Today’s NFL has totally abandoned that. Lammons will be missed by many. RIP Pete Lammons of the New York Jets.
— Robert (@rgfoster1216) May 1, 2021
That's horrible. May he rest in peace. 🙏🏼
— Paul Miller ♿ (@PaulMiller1313) May 2, 2021
with Associated Press
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