Hall of Fame NFL executive Bobby Beathard dies at 86
Bobby Beathard, who spent more than three decades as an NFL leader, has died at the age of 86.
He died Monday of complications from Alzheimer’s disease at his home in Franklin, Tenn., his son Casey told The Washington Post.
Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018 as a contributor, Beathard served as personnel manager for five teams during his career, including Super Bowl champions Miami and Washington. He was part of 10 division winners and four Super Bowl winners overall, including the 1972 Dolphins team that finished undefeated.
His greatest success came in Washington, where he served as general manager from 1978 to 1988. Beathard hired coach Joe Gibbs in 1981 and drafted Hall of Famers Art Monk, Russ Grimm and Darrell Green. Washington won the Super Bowl in 1982 and 1987.
After leaving Washington, Beathard served as general manager of the Chargers from 1990 to 1999. Although Beathard was criticized for picking quarterback Ryan Leaf with the No. 2 pick in 1998 and trading first-round picks, he helped transform the Chargers. In his third season as general manager, the Chargers won their First Division title since 1981. They made the franchise’s only Super Bowl appearance in the 1994 season, losing to the San Francisco 49ers.
“Bobby was one of the best judges of football talent in NFL history. For most, that alone would be enough. For Bobby Beathard, that doesn’t do the man justice,” the owner said. of the Chargers, Dean Spanos, in a press release. “Bobby was what we all aspire to be – a friendly, caring, generous and caring human being who brought people from all walks of life together. He was the best general manager in football, but he was also the guy sitting on his board. surf in the ocean that you caught the waves with, raced along the trails and chatted in the queue at the local market.He was the guy you felt like you had known your whole life, even if it was only for five minutes at the gas station. He was just a regular guy who happened to be anything but.
“Bobby was, in fact, exceptional. He was one of a kind. And he will be sorely missed. On behalf of my family and the Chargers organization, we want to express our deepest condolences to his wife, Christine, and all the Beathard family on the loss of one of the best ever to do so, whether in football or in life.”
Beathard served as director of player personnel for Miami’s Super Bowl-winning teams in 1972 and 1973. He also worked for Kansas City and Atlanta before joining Miami.
He retired from football in 2000 and is a member of the Ring of Fame for the Commanders and Chargers.
Beathard was the grandfather of quarterback CJ Beathard, who entered the NFL with the 49ers in 2017 and played for the Jacksonville Jaguars last season.