| Date of birth: | October 27, 1927 |
| Place of birth: | San Antonio, Texas |
| Date of death: | August 15, 2002 (aged 74) |
| Place of death: | Baltimore, Maryland |
| Career information | |
|---|---|
| Position(s): | Running back Wide receiver |
| College: | Southern Methodist |
| NFL Draft: | 1951 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1 |
| Organizations | |
| As player: | |
| 1951-1961 | New York Giants |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Pro Bowls: | 4 |
| Playing stats at NFL.com | |
| College Football Hall of Fame | |
William Kyle Rote, Sr. (October 27, 1927 – August 15, 2002) was an American football player and sports announcer.
Contents |
Early life
Rote attended Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio, Texas, where he was an all-state basketball and football player.[1]
Collegiate career
In college, Rote played behind Heisman Trophy winner Doak Walker at Southern Methodist University in 1948 and 1949. When Walker was forced to miss the 1949 game against the University of Notre Dame because of an injury, Rote replaced him as tailback in SMU's single wing and turned in a great triple-threat performance despite a 27-20 loss. He rushed for 115 yards, scored all three touchdowns, passed for 146 yards, and punted for a 48-yard average. After Walker graduated, Rote became a starter in 1950 and was a consensus All-American. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1964.
National Football League career
The New York Giants selected Rote with the first pick in the 1951 NFL Draft. During an 11-year NFL career spent entirely with the Giants, Rote played running back and flanker. He caught 673 passes for 8,797 yards, gained 3,871 yards in 731 rushing attempts, and was a member of New York's 1956 NFL Championship team.
Sportscasting career
He retired as player in 1961 and like his former New York Giant teammates Frank Gifford, Pat Summerall, and Thomas Conlin, went on to enjoy a second career as a sportscaster, working for NBC in the '60s and early '70s. He also appeared in several television commercials as a paid spokesmen for Anderson-Little, a clothing retailer.
Personal
Rote's son, Kyle Rote, Jr., was one of the first notable soccer stars from the United States, and a three-time winner of the Superstars made-for-television sports competition. He also fathered two other sons, Chris and Gary, as well as a daughter, Elizabeth. Additionally, Kyle Rote is the cousin of Tobin Rote a multi-championship winning and record holding AFL and NFL quarterback.[citation needed]
See also
References
- ^ Rick Alonzo. "Kyle Rote: 1928-2002 - SMU, NFL great called 'whole package' - Versatile player turned broadcaster dies of pneumonia at 73," The Dallas Morning News, August 16, 2002, page 1A.
| Preceded by Johnny Lujack |
The NFL Today (as NFL Kickoff) host 1962-1963 |
Succeeded by Analysts for game in viewing area |
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