Walter Bahr, 1950 World Cup celebrity

When Walter Bahr walked off the field in Brazil after the famous United States victory over England at the 1950 World Cup, he didn’t expect to become a soccer celebrity.

Known for many years as the father of two NFL placekickers, Mr. Bahr regained prominence in his own right when the Americans returned to soccer’s showcase in 1990 after a 40-year-absence.

The last living player from that 1950 team, Bahr died yesterday in Boalsburg, Pa., at age 91, according to granddaughter Lindsey D. Bahr, a film writer for The Associated Press. His death was caused by complications that resulted from a broken hip.

“I say the older I get, the more famous I become,” Mr. Bahr told the AP in 2010. “I wasn’t famous for 50 years.”

A team of soccer unknowns, the U.S. won 1-0 over an England side that included Alf Ramsey and Tom Finney, who earned knighthoods.

“Walter Bahr was one of the greatest people to ever be part of soccer in the United States,” former U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati said. “Not only was he a pioneer and a fantastic ambassador for our game over many years, he was a true gentleman.”

Mr. Bahr was portrayed by Wes Bentley in the 2005 movie “The Game of Their Lives.”

“A true legend in soccer in the United States,” USSF President Carlos Cordeiro said. “His contribution to one of the most iconic moments in U.S. soccer history was only part of a lifetime of selfless contributions to the game.”

In the match at Belo Horizonte on June 29, 1950, Mr. Bahr collected a throw-in from Ed McIlvenny and took a shot from about 25 yards that Joe Gaetjens deflected past goalkeeper Bert Williams with a diving header late in the first half. Frank Borghi had some spectacular saves that made the lead stand up.