Kyle Rote Dies at 73
ALBANY, N.Y. (Reuters) - Kyle Rote, a star receiver for the New York Giants of the National Football League during the 1950s and early 1960s, has died at age 73, the team said on Thursday.
The team said Rote died from cardiopulmonary complications at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore on Wednesday following emergency surgery.
"He was so good at everything, whether it was ping-pong, pool or kicking off," said Giants President Wellington Mara.
"He was one of the most versatile players we've had. He was our captain. He was a very intelligent man, but especially on the football field."
Born on Oct. 27, 1928, Rote was an All American at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Texas and was the No. 1 pick in the 1951 NFL draft.
During 11 seasons with the Giants, he caught 300 passes for 4,797 yards and 48 touchdowns. He also scored four rushing touchdowns.
Rote gained national prominence in 1949 at SMU in a game against Notre Dame. He rushed for 115 yards, completed 10 passes for 146 yards and scored all his team's points in a 27-20 loss.
He was the first elected president of the NFL Players Association, the union representing the league's players, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.
The Giants said Rote was a long-time smoker and had suffered from emphysema in recent years.
He is survived by his third wife, Nina, and four children: Kyle Rote Jr., Gary, Chris and Elizabeth.
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