Pat Fischer was a cornerback for the St. Louis Cardinals and then-Washington Redskins, known as “Mouse” for his unusually small size.
- Died: October 8, 2024 (Who else died on October 8?)
- Details of death: Died in Leesburg, Virginia at the age of 84.
- We invite you to share condolences for Pat Fischer in our Guest Book.
Pat Fischer’s legacy
Fischer played college football at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and despite an illustrious career there, he wasn’t considered a shoo-in for the NFL Draft. At just five feet, nine inches tall and 170 pounds, he was much smaller than most of his teammates and opponents, and his size could have been a deal breaker for professional teams. But the St. Louis Cardinals took a chance on Fischer, choosing him in the 17th round of the 1961 draft.
The Cardinals’ scouts and coaches weren’t at all confident that Fischer would make it out of training camp, but he debuted with the team in 1961 and became known for his aggressive play. He didn’t hesitate to tackle much larger players, and he pioneered the “bump and run” technique to disrupt a wide receiver. Fischer was a two-time Pro Bowl pick with the Cardinals before leaving the team after its 1967 season and signing with the Redskins as a free agent the following year.
With the Redskins, Fischer went to another Pro Bowl, and he joined the team as they challenged the Miami Dolphins at Super Bowl VII in 1973. It was an unfortunate year to challenge the Dolphins, though – they were about to cap off their legendary 1972 perfect season with a Super Bowl victory against the D.C. team. Still, Fischer continued to excel for the Redskins, finishing his career in 1977 with 56 interceptions, which still ranks among the top 20 in NFL history. An inductee into the Washington team’s Ring of Fame, Fischer later worked as a stockbroker and in real estate.
Notable quote
“I’m not as big as the men I’m defending against, and I’m not as fast as most of them so I have to compensate. I have to be aggressive. If the man I’m up against beats me once, I’m twice as determined to stop him the next time.” — from a 1964 interview quoted in the Big Red Zone
Tributes to Pat Fischer
Full obituary: The Washington Post
