NFL War Dead: 25 Gave Their Lives In Service To U.S.

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By Ken Crippen
Executive director Pro Football Researchers' Association

As we spend Memorial Day weekend having picnics and barbeques, as we watch the parades, let’s not forget those who have served this country and have given the ultimate sacrifice.

Twenty-five NFL players, coaches or executives were killed in service to their country, 20 of them in World War II alone. More than 1,000 NFLers served in the military, almost all of them in World War II according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, including notables known to most current fans: Tom Landry, Marv Levy, Pete Rozelle, among many others.

Regardless of your opinions on wars fought on foreign lands, NFL players have given their lives for our country. Below, we pay tribute to these fallen heroes on Memorial Day.
 
 
WORLD WAR II (Player)

 
Bob Mackert appears on a few lists of player deaths. Those lists seem to confuse Bob Mackert with Roy Mackert. Roy played for the 1925 Rochester Jeffersons and served in the Army until 1918. Roy died February 12, 1942. Bob Mackert went missing in July 1944 and was later declared dead. Bob Mackert never played in the NFL.
 
Frank Maher appears on some lists as being killed during World War II. Frank died April 11, 1992 in Toledo, OH.
 
 
WORLD WAR II (Non-Combat)

 
 
WORLD WAR II (Non-Player)

 
 
KOREA

None
 

VIETNAM

 
 
AFGHANISTAN

 
 
Ken Crippen is the executive director of the Professional Football Researchers Association, a non-profit educational organization dedicated to preserving football history. You can follow him on Twitter: @KenCrippen.

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