Marlin McKeever Obituary - Death Notice and Service Information

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Marlin McKeever, a two-time All-American at Southern California who played 13 years in the NFL, died Friday of head injuries from a fall at his home earlier this week. He was 66.

Kathleen O'Guin, director of public relations and marketing at St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, said McKeever died at the hospital with his family at his bedside.

McKeever fell at his home late Tuesday, and was hospitalized Wednesday with a blood clot on his brain.

McKeever was a fullback, defensive end and punter at USC from 1958-60, and was the Trojans' leading receiver in his junior and senior years. But he was mainly known for his work at linebacker, and that's where he played in the NFL.

A first-round draft choice of the Los Angeles Rams, McKeever played from 1961-66 and 1971-72 with the Rams, in 1967 with the Minnesota Vikings, from 1968-70 with the Washington Redskins, and in 1973 with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was later a stock broker and insurance executive.

McKeever's twin brother, Mike, also was a star at USC, playing left guard. Mike McKeever died in 1967 of head injuries from an automobile accident after spending 22 months in a coma. He also had a blood clot on his brain.
Copyright © 2006 The Associated Press

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Thank You!! Thank You!! Trojan Mr Marlin McKeever for all of the great humanitarian, to shared personal experiences, although we were generations a part & of our beloved University of Southern California with the Trojan Football rolling. For 2 seasons I was lucky enough to have met with you, and talk with you on the sidelines each home game watching #11 #5 #45 #21 #18 & squad & coaching staff. I still treasure. appreciate and instill the poisitivities you shared with me to others to this day...

Michael Jackson, Jr

May 07, 2025 | Bermuda Dunes, CA | Friend

I met Mac back in the 80's in Paso Robles CA. My mom and he were friends. She was a bartender at the Black Oak Lounge he was a bartender at the Rodeo. I remember thats how I got one of my fav football teams (rams) because of him. I was just repeating what I knew of him which got me to look him up. Sad to see he had passed. I have fond memories of him. Thanks Mac!!

Vicki Borjes

January 23, 2021 | Rockaway Beach, OR | Friend

As a kid my favorite team was the L.A. Ram's. Marlin McKeever was the linebacker #86. Why is it so impossible to find photo's of him in action? For those of us who new him this way; a good tribut. Shocked and sad to learn of his death.

richard m. warne

December 10, 2009 | Terribonne, OR

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richard m. warne

December 10, 2009 | Terribone, OR

Fifteen years ago, I was in an orange county Ca. hospital for a couple weeks. Marlin and I were sharing the room. Having grown up in So. Cal. I knew who Marlin was as soon as he introduced himself "all of us kids knew the Rams in those days" Marlin and I had several at length conversations about everything under the sun - childhood CYO sports, politics, you name it. Later I would run into him in Long Beach a few times and we would catch up with each others lives. Even though he was...

Jeff Lemmon

April 26, 2009 | Long Beach, CA

We were sorry to hear about Marlin's death and our condolences to his entire family. We enjoyed spending time on a Caribbean cruise with Marlin and his wife Sue. At the end of the cruise we felt we had known them for years. He will be missed...

Judy and Bernie Gouveia

December 24, 2008 | Madison, NJ

I will miss all of the fantastic times I had with Marlin. We had so many great conversations at Phil Trani's.

Bill & Sue Lovelace

Bill Lovelace

December 07, 2008 | Long Beach, CA

I'm there for you and Judy. I visit you on campus as often as I can.
I miss your visits at work.

ELLIOTT SCHWARTZ

April 14, 2008 | LONG BEACH, CA

Marlin, I just want to wish you a very Happy Birthday. I miss and love ya. Your cous,

Danny Enciso

January 21, 2008 | Indianapolis, IN

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