A member of the College Football Hall of Fame and standout halfback for Southern Methodist University from 1948-50, Kyle Rote died Wednesday night from cardiopulmonary complications in Baltimore. He was 74.
A thrilling ball-carrier, Rote was first vaulted into the national spotlight when he replaced legendary Doak Walker due to injury against an undefeated Notre Dame squad in 1949. Despite falling to the Irish, 27-20, Rote scored all 20 points, ran for 115 yards, passed for another 146 and averaged 48 yards per punt.
As a senior, Rote was named a consensus All-America while rushing for 762 yards.
Nicknamed "The Mighty Mustang" Rote went on to play 11 NFL seasons with the New York Giants. Upon professional retirement, Rote held the franchise records with 300 receptions for 4,797 yards and still holds the record withy 48 touchdown receptions.
Former Giants quarterback Y.A. Tittle said of Rote, "There has probably never been a nicer person to ever play the game. Everyone liked Kyle Rote. Fans liked him, sportswriters liked him, players liked him. He was just a good person and an outstanding football player. There's nothing negative about Kyle Rote. I've never found anyone who dislikes Kyle Rote."
In 1964, Rote was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
He is survived by four children and his wife, Betty. His grandson John Rote was named one of four 2001 National High School Scholar-Athletes of the Year by The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. John now attends Stanford University.
The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit educational organization comprised of more than 11,000 members in 118 chapters nationwide, dedicated to the promotion of amateur football, scholarship, citizenship, and superior athletic performance. Through various programs and initiatives, such as Play It Smart and the NFL/NFF Coaching Academy, the Foundation endeavors to promote the positive values learned through participation in sport. The College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana serves as the shrine where those who exemplify the Foundation's ideal of excellence both on and off the field are immortalized.
