Greg Landry, former Lions QB and assistant coach, dies at 77

Field Level Media|published: Sat 5th October, 11:22 2024

NFL: Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs

Aug 17, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Detroit Lions helmet during the second half of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Former Detroit Lions quarterback and assistant coach Greg Landry has died at age 77, the team announced.

"We join the NFL community in mourning the loss of former Lions quarterback and coach Greg Landry," the Lions posted Friday on social media.

His cause of death was not given.

A New Hampshire native, Landry had a standout career at UMass before being drafted by the Lions with the No. 11 overall pick in the 1968 NFL Draft. He became their starter in 1971, earning his only Pro Bowl selection in what was ultimately his best season.

He played with the Lions (1968-78) and then-Baltimore Colts (1979-81) before spending two seasons in the USFL, followed by a brief return to the NFL where in his one game in 1984 he helped the injury-riddled Chicago Bears defeat the team that drafted him.

Landry threw for 16,052 yards with 98 touchdowns and 103 interceptions in 146 games (98 starts).

He was also a top-notch rushing quarterback, gaining 2,665 yards with 21 touchdowns.

Following his playing years, Landry was an assistant coach for the Cleveland Browns (1985), Bears (1986-92) and Lions (1995-96). He was the offensive coordinator for the Bears for his final five seasons there and held the same role for Illinois from 1993-94.

--Field Level Media