Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Jim Carter, linebacker for the Packers from 1970-78, died Nov. 23 at age 75.

https://twitter.com/andygreder/status/1 ... 1178026137

Mark Kellar, former running back with the Minnesota Vikings died on November 23, at the age of 71:


https://www.startribune.com/obituaries/ ... 000474115/


https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... llMa00.htm

Eagles One wrote: ↑Sun Nov 26, 2023 1:00 pm Mark Kellar, former running back with the Minnesota Vikings died on November 23, at the age of 71:


https://www.startribune.com/obituaries/ ... 000474115/


https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... llMa00.htm

Mark Kellar was a standout RB at Northern Illinois University and with the Chicago Fire of the WFL in 1974 He scored 5 7-point touchdowns and 1 Action Point in a 53-29 win over the Hawaiians for 36 points, the WFL record for points in a game.

In 1973 he led the NCAA is rushing with 1719 yards and yards from scrimmage with 1736. He scored 16 TDs rushing & none receiving.
In 1971 he scored 7 TDs rushing and 1 receiving. 168 carries 710 yards w. 7 TDs. 2 catches 26 yards and 1 TD.

In 1974 with the Fire, he carried 189 times for 778 yards and 9 touchdowns. He also caught 28 passes for 342 yard and 6 touchdowns. He went out injured in the 11th game of the season and did not play anymore that year, missing almost all of the Fires legendary meltdown in the 2nd half of 1974.

In 1975 He played for the short-lived Chicago Winds and the San Antonio Wings, but his stats did not measure up to the level of 1974, where he probably would have been all-league, first team had he not missed the last 9 games of the season.

Winds - 62 carries - 179 yards - 2 TDs & 19 catches 181 yards and no TD's.
Wings - 66 carries -187 yards - 2 TDs. No receiving stats noted.

Then it was on to the NFL but Kellar was a college star in 1973 and a WFL star in 1974 before his untimely injury.

His NFL stats are non-descript by comparison.

Daryl Johnson, former cornerback with the Boston Patriots died on November 25th, at the age of 77:


https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/bo ... d=53741453


https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... hnDa24.htm

Ron Fernandes, former defensive tackle with the Baltimore Colts died on December 5th, at the age of 71:


https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/na ... d=53772771


https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... rnRo20.htm

Frank Wycheck 12/10/23 he was 52

fell in his house and hit his head and was found unresponsive Saturday afternoon.

https://x.com/PaulKuharskyNFL/status/17 ... 05356?s=20

https://www.paulkuharsky.com/news/belov ... dead-at-52

RIP Frank Wycheck ...

Very sad news. Even as a radio broadcaster for the Titans, I knew repeated head injuries affected his ability to communicate more effectively for the fans. He was a tough receiver, who Steve McNair relied on too often ... which is why the Titans passing game suffered till Derrick Mason emerged.

Shoutout to former Titans/Oilers tight end Frank Wycheck. One of the most underrated tight ends in NFL history. Sucks for his family, and fans that his story had to end this way. I knew he was sick for a while, and tried to keep tabs on him with any news updates that would pop up from time to time. I guess this isn't that much of a shock with the way it had been trending. Off the top of my head he's arguably the best tight end in franchise history next to Delaine Walker, and I think Alvin Reed.

Ken Long, former guard with the Detroit Lions died on December 7th, at the age of 70:


https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/na ... d=53808303


https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... ngKe20.htm

Mike D'Amato, former defensive back with the New York Jets death was announced on December 13th, (November 2023) at the age of 80:


https://nypost.com/2023/12/13/sports/je ... ead-at-80/


https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... maMi20.htm