Rockne Freitas was an offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1960s and ‘70s.
- Died: June 8, 2022 (Who else died on June 8?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 76.
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NFL star and educator
A native of Hawaii, Freitas played college football for Oregon State University. He was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1967 NFL Draft, though he signed with the Lions and never played for the Steelers. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 1972, and in the same year, he became the first Native Hawaiian player to be named an All-Pro. Freitas played for the Lions until 1977, spending a final season with the Buccaneers before his 1978 retirement. After the NFL, he worked as a leader in education, serving as chancellor of Hawai’i Community College and the University of Hawai’i at West Oahu. Freitas was also vice president for university relations of the University of Hawai’i System. He was a member of the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame.
Tributes to Rockne Freitas
Full obituary: Sports Illustrated
