ED VEREB

VEREB ED VEREB Ed Vereb, (age 80), an All-American halfback at the University of Maryland and a first-round draft pick of the Washington Redskins, who had a stellar career in the Canadian Football League before becoming a dentist, died December 18, 2014 in Bowie, Maryland of complications from Alzheimer's Disease. During Vereb's four years at Maryland the Terrapins compiled a 34-6-1 record, appeared twice in the Orange Bowl and once in the Sugar Bowl, and were named National Champions during the 1953 season. In 1955, Vereb was elected co-captain and the Terrapins went on to a 10-0 regular season record and played #1 ranked Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl losing 20-6. Maryland finished the 1955 season ranked #3 in the nation. He finished the season scoring 16 touchdowns and averaged just under six yards a carry. He also threw for two touchdowns on the halfback option pass, and had four interceptions as a defensive back. His accomplishments garnered All-Atlantic Coast Conference and All-America honors. He was also selected to play in the 1956 Senior Bowl. The Washington Redskins selected him in the first-round of the 1956 NFL Draft, the 12th overall pick, but Vereb opted instead to play for the British Columbia (B.C.) Lions in the Canadian Football League. He scored 14 touchdowns during his rookie season earning him Rookie of the Year honors, and was named to the CFL All-Star Team. Service in the U.S. Army interrupted his professional football career causing him to miss the 1957 CFL season. After his discharge he returned to British Columbia for both the 1958 and 1959 seasons. In 1960, Vereb joined the Redskins and in 1961 he returned to Canada as a player/backfield coach for the B.C. Lions. Vereb retired from professional football after the 1961 season. Edward John Vereb was born in Pittsburgh, PA on May 21, 1934. After his playing career ended, he returned to the Washington area and worked for the U.S. Postal Service. Upon graduation from Georgetown University's dental school in 1966, Dr. Vereb opened an office in Bowie where he had settled his family and practiced dentistry for 38 years before retiring in 2004. In 1991 he was listed in Washingtonian Magazine as one of the top dentists in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. Vereb was one of the founders of the Bowie Boys and Girls Club coaching football for many seasons, including a six-year period when his teams were undefeated, and won numerous county championships. During this time he also organized several youth football clinics that included instructors from the Redskins Alumni Association. In later years he was a volunteer assistant football coach at Bowie High School. He was inducted into the Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School Hall of Fame and his name appears on the University of Maryland's Byrd Stadium. Dr. Vereb's wife of 31 years, Patricia Anne Vereb, died in 1988. Survivors include two children, Glen (Amy) Vereb and Gail (Greg) Sinkovic; four grandchildren, Keith, Kelly, Gabriella and Garin; four sisters, Regina, Margaret Rose, Dorothy and Loretta and a brother, Stephen. Family will receive friends at the family-owned BEALL FUNERAL HOME, 6512 NW Crain Hwy. (Rte. 3 South), Bowie, MD on Friday, December 26, 2014 from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral and interment will be in Pittsburgh, PA. Please view and sign the family's guestbook at: www.beallfuneral.com