| Allen Park, Mich. – Former Lions running back Howard ‘Hopalong’ Cassady passed away Friday morning at age 85 in Tampa, Fla., his family confirmed today. Cassady spent seven seasons with the Lions (1956-61, 1963) and was a member of the 1957 World Championship team. In 84 career NFL games (46 starts), he totaled 1,229 rushing yards, 1,601 receiving yards and 24 total touchdowns. Before being selected by the Lions with the third overall selection in the 1956 NFL Draft, Cassady starred at Ohio State from 1952-55 and helped the Buckeyes capture the National Championship in 1954. As a senior in 1955, Cassady rushed for 958 yards and 14 touchdowns en route to capturing the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, Big Ten Player of the Year, AP Male Athlete of the Year and earning his second unanimous All-American selection. He was inducted into Ohio State’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 1977 and his No. 40 uniform was retired by the Buckeyes in 2000. After retiring from football in 1963, Cassady spent more than 40 years working for the New York Yankees organization. He is also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Ohio Sports Hall of Fame and Columbus Baseball Hall of Fame. Cassady was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio and graduated from Central High School. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Barb, and his three children. |
