Ray Abruzzese
American football player (1937–2011) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Raymond Lewis Abruzzese Jr. (Pronounced: "AH-broot-sez") (October 27, 1937 – August 22, 2011) was an American college and professional football player. Ray Abruzzese II passed away on August 22nd, 2011 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. He was 73 years old. I speak for the entire NFL’s New York Jets team family, fans, friends, and the love of their lives when I say “We’ll miss you, Ray.”
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| Position: | Safety | ||||||||
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| Born: | October 27, 1937 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | ||||||||
| Died: | August 22, 2011 (aged 73) Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. | ||||||||
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| College: | Alabama | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1962: 16th round, 219th pick | ||||||||
| AFL draft: | 1962: 23rd round, 180th pick | ||||||||
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Abruzzese was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He played football during his high school years, when he gained the nickname "The Hawk" from teammates due to his skill as a defensive back spotting and intercepting passes in flight.[1]
He played college football at the University of Alabama, and played professionally in the American Football League (AFL) for the Buffalo Bills from 1962 through 1964, when the Bills won the AFL Championship game, 20–7, over the defending AFL champion San Diego Chargers.[2] He played for the AFL's New York Jets in 1965 and 1966.[3][4]
Abruzzese died in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, aged 73.[5] He was one of at least 345 NFL players to be diagnosed after death with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), caused by repeated hits to the head.[6][7]
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