Hall of Fame NFL manager Bobby Beathard has died at the age of 86

Bobby Beathard, who spent more than three decades as an NFL executive, has died at the age of 86.

He died Monday of complications from Alzheimer’s disease at his home in Franklin, Tennessee, his son Casey told The Washington Post.

A 2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, Beathard served as the personnel director for five teams during his career, including the 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 was in Washington, where he served as CEO 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.

Rest in peace, Bobby 💛 pic.twitter.com/KPauvZdmU2

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) February 1, 2023

After leaving Washington, Beathard served as the Chargers general manager from 1990 to 1999. Although Beathard was criticized for selecting quarterback Ryan Leaf in the 1998 draft, he helped trade away first-round picks in 1998. around 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, and lost. 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, it hardly does the man justice,” Chargers owner Dean Spanos said in a statement. “Bobby was what we all aspire to be: a kind, caring, giving and thoughtful human being who brought people together from all walks of life. He was a football CEO, but he was also a guy sitting on his surfboard. the ocean where you catch waves, run along the trails and local he chatted in the drive-in line at the market. He was the kind of guy you felt like you’d known all your life, even if it wasn’t for five minutes. at the gas station. He was just a normal guy, no matter what.

“Bobby was truly exceptional. He was one of a kind. And he will be greatly missed. On behalf of my family and the Chargers organization, we want to extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Christine, and the entire Beathard family on the loss of one of the best that ever did, be be it football or life”.

Beathard was the player manager for Miami’s Super Bowl winning teams in 1972 and 1973. He also worked in Kansas City and Atlanta before joining Miami.

He retired from football in 2000 and is a member of the Hall of Fame for both the Commanders and Chargers.

Beathard was the quarterback’s grandfather CJ BeathardHe entered the NFL in 2017 with the 49ers and played for the team Jacksonville Jaguars last season