BANGOR, Mich. (AP) — Former NFL player Peter Gent, whose book about the seamier side of football was made into the movie, "North Dallas Forty," has died in his native Michigan. He was 69.
Gent had been ailing for months and died Friday from a pulmonary illness at his boyhood home in Bangor in western Michigan, where he had lived since 1990, his son Carter Gent said Saturday.
Gent was a star basketball player at Michigan State University in the 1960s. He didn't play college football but got an NFL tryout with the Dallas Cowboys in 1964 and played five seasons with the team.
His 1973 novel "North Dallas Forty" dealt with drugs, sex, greed and self-preservation in pro football. It was made into a movie six years later, starring Nick Nolte as an aging player and Mac Davis as a quarterback. Gent wrote a sequel, "North Dallas After Forty," as well as other books, including a memoir about coaching his son's baseball team, "The Last Magic Summer: A Season With My Son."
Gent was drafted by the NBA's Baltimore Bullets after averaging 21 points a game in his final season at Michigan State. Instead, he headed to Dallas to try his hand at football.
"He had heard you'd get $500 just for showing up," said Carter Gent, 35, of Kalamazoo. "The wide receivers coach liked him. He was long and lean and had good hands."
Carter Gent said his father seemed pleased with how the movie "North Dallas Forty" turned out but he usually didn't watch it years later.
"He was just a brilliant guy who had a lot of other interests. He read a lot and loved history," Carter Gent said. "Watching sports didn't do much for him."
Gent, who was divorced, also is survived by a daughter, Holly Gent Palmo of Austin, Texas; a brother, Jamie Gent; and four grandchildren.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
We became friends in Austin, Texas in the 1970s and then later he visited the Y.O. Ranch when I was married to Charles Schreiner, III. We often discussed books and writing. I was surprised when he told me that when he was growing up there were no books in his house. I admired that in spite of that he was able to be successful as a writer, especially with "North Dallas Forty."
Norma Schreiner
July 05, 2021 | Houston, TX | Friend
I never knew or met Peter Gent. But loved the way he wrote. Just now I found out he had passed away. Hes an author I always seeked to see if he had a new novel out. There wasnt many but the few were very entertaining. Sad there will never be anymore....
Steve Gustafson
February 11, 2018 | Copperton, UT
Valenda Newell
June 19, 2017 | Indianapolis, IN
The sports reporter who admired him.
Pete blessed me by agreeing to allow me to do a story about him for a magazine I was working for at the time and then by speaking at my request at a sports business conference I helped organize. I miss his wit and insight. It still inspires my current blog ("Juice This") spoofing the NFL, at thesportspost.com. Thanks, Pete. Thanks. RIP. --Howard Schlossberg
Howard Schlossberg
December 10, 2016 | Schaumburg, IL
Mr. Gent was an inspiration to me as he was to many as I read his novels in junior high; they helped me through a particularly rough period. In each of his books I have read, I have seen a character that I absolutely relate to, and often multiple characters. His career was a bit before my time as I was born a year after North Dallas Forty came out. Nevertheless, I believe we share many of the same perspectives on life. He was one of the factors that motivated me to become a writer. He will be...
M Bryant
February 01, 2016 | Sacramento, CA
I was very sad when I read of Peter's passing. North Dallas Forty is my favorite book of all time, and I have read a lot of books. I am currently reading The Last Magic Summer. I am also trying to write something myself, and his work has been a big influence on me. I consider him to have been a huge and somewhat underrated talent.
Bob McNeil
December 12, 2015 | Halifax, NS
Please accept my sincere condolences on the death of your dear love one. “And no resident will say: I am sick…” Isa 33:24. This is a promise God has made known in his word. Perhaps one day in the divine future you or I may see again those fallen from our lives due to a sickness or illness that led to an untimely death. Prayers go out to the surviving family and friends may the God of comfort continue to bless you and yours.
March 29, 2014
Having grown up in Lawton Michigan and watched Pete and friends play baseball against my brother. the book I favor most is Conquering Heroes. As I read it,it takes me back to my youth.
My regret is never having met Pete and of course never discussing with him what a great writer he was.
Best wishes to his daughter and son.
Marilyn Peterson
October 20, 2011 | St Joseph, MI
I am sorry for the Gent family,and for readers who will not be able to read another Peter Gent book.My best,
Marshall Andrew
October 06, 2011 | Denver, CO