Ed Flanagan was a center for the Detroit Lions. He was chosen for four Pro Bowls and is a member of the Lions’ all-time team.
- Died: May 10, 2023 (Who else died on May 10?)
- Details of death: Died in Altoona, Pennsylvania at the age of 79.
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Ed Flanagan’s legacy
Born in San Bernardino, California, Flanagan’s rise to football greatness began after his family moved to Altoona, Pennsylvania. There, he played high school football, where Flanagan himself notes that he was only an average player. He didn’t even make the starting team until his senior year.
However, something clicked when he entered college and played for the Purdue Boilermakers, accompanied by a 40-pound growth spurt leading into his sophomore year. He ended up starting at center and was selected for the 1964 All-Big Ten Conference football team his senior year. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions and began his pro career in 1965.
With the Lions, Flanagan earned a reputation for being gritty and able to withstand punishment on the field. He played in almost every game for which he was eligible and earned his way to four Pro Bowl appearances. He was respected enough by his peers to have spent five years as team captain. Flanagan would go on to coach in the United States Football League and Arena Football League; in 2016 he was inducted into the Gridiron Greats Hall of Fame, among other honors. Flanagan donated his brain to Boston University’s Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Center, which studies the long-term effects of repetitive brain trauma in athletes, military personnel, and first responders.
Notable quote
“It all comes down to the basics and being mentally prepared and being fundamentally sound in your blocking technique.”—The Coffin Corner, 2003
Tributes to Ed Flanagan
Full obituary: Altoona Mirror
