Tennessee State great and Pro Football Hall of Famer Claude Humphrey dies at 77

Mike Organ, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read
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Former Tennessee State defensive tackle Claude Humphrey, who became a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, died Friday. He was 77.

The Memphis native began his career at TSU playing offensive tackle for legendary Tigers coach John Merritt.

He moved early in his college career to defense where he became one of TSU's greatest push rushers of all time under defensive coordinator Joe Gilliam Sr.

“The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Claude Humphrey,” Hall of Fame President Jim Porter said in a statement.

"Known as a hard worker and a reliable teammate, Humphrey was always willing to help the team out wherever needed and knew success was achieved collectively. His humble spirit guided him on and off the field. Our thoughts and prayers are with Claude's family during this difficult time. The Hall of Fame will forever guard his legacy. "

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The Pro Hall of Fame flag will be flown at half-staff in Humphrey's memory.

Humphrey helped lead TSU to a 35-3-1 record from 1965-67. The 1967 team won the national championship for predominately black schools.

Humphrey was a first-round pick in the 1968 NFL Draft selected third overall by the Atlanta Falcons. He was the NFL defensive rookie of the year that season after recording 11.5 sacks.

His 99.5 sacks with Atlanta is a franchise record.

Along with the Falcons Humphrey spent three years with the Philadelphia Eagles including their 1980 NFC Championship team.

Humphrey finished his career with 130 sacks before retiring after 13 seasons in 1981.

He was a first-team All-Pro twice and a six-time Pro Bowl selection.

Humphrey was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014, the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2012, the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1988 and the TSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1983.

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee State great, Pro Football Hall of Famer Claude Humphrey dies at 77