Andy Robustelli Dies at 85

If you were an NFL fan of the '50s or '60s, the name Andy Robustelli would be most familiar.

The 6-foot-1, 230-pound defensive end played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1951-55 and the New York Giants from 1956-64, but his arrival in New York ushered in one of the greatest eras in Giants’ football.

New York won the 1956 NFL championship in Robustelli’s first season. They won five more conference championships during his tenure, in 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962 and 1963. Robustelli played on a winning team in 13 of his 14 pro seasons and played in eight NFL championship games.

“Andy was a great leader. When he came to us from the Rams, it turned everything around defensively,” fellow Hall of Famer Frank Gifford said. “He fit perfectly into Tom Landry’s defense. Tom Landry was such a leader in putting defense into pro football and Andy was one of the key components of that.”

Andy Robustelli (left) and his teammates at Yankee Stadium, November 18,1962

Robustelli died in a hospital in his hometown of Stamford Connecticut following complications from bladder surgery.

Robustelli was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971. He is also a member of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.