Falcons great Humphrey dies at 77
Falcons great Claude Humphrey, 77, who was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014, died Friday.
“The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Claude Humphrey,” Pro Football Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said in a statement. “Known as a hard worker and a reliable teammate, Humphrey was always willing to help the team out wherever needed and knew success was achieved collectively. His humble spirit guided him on and off the field.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Claude’s family during this difficult time. The Hall of Fame will forever guard his legacy. The Hall of Fame flag will be flown at halfstaff in Claude’s memory.”
Humphrey played 13 seasons of professional football as a defensive end with the Falcons (1968-78, including the 1975 season that he missed with a knee injury) and the Philadelphia Eagles (1979-81).
“We are saddened by the passing of Claude Humphrey and send our prayers out for his family and friends in this difficult time,” said Arthur Blank, Falcons owner and chairman in a statement. “Claude made an indelible impression on so many from Memphis to the Falcons and across the NFL with his leadership and tenacious approach on the field. His Falcons legacy was cemented as a forever memory with induction into our Ring of Honor and he will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace.”
Humphrey was selected by the Falcons with the third overall pick in the 1968 AFL/NFL draft out of Tennessee State. He made an immediate impact with the Falcons and was named the NFL’s defensive rookie of the year.
Although it didn’t become an official NFL statistic until after he retired, Humphrey is credited with 130 career sacks.
He was a relentless pass rusher and led the his team in sacks in nine of his 13 seasons. He also had two interceptions, a fumble recovery for a touchdown and two safeties during his Hall of Fame career. Humphrey earned first-team All-Pro honors five times and was selected to play in six Pro Bowls.
On the eve of Super Bowl XLVIII between Seattle and Denver, Humphrey was selected to the Pro Football Hall of
Fame.
Humphrey was a part of the Falcons’ “Grits Blitz” defense of 1977 that set an NFL record for fewest points allowed.
The sack was not made an official statistic until after Humphrey’s retirement, but a film review of his career determined that he finished as the Falcons’ all-time leader in that category with 94.5 sacks.
ELSEWHERE
New kicker for Jets: The New York Jets released Matt Ammendola and signed Alex Kessman from the practice squad Saturday, making a change at kicker after holding an open competition this week.
Ammendola was just 13 of 19 on field goal attempts this season, and he missed three of his last six attempts.
Despite a strong leg that impressed during training camp, the firstyear kicker from Oklahoma State was 2 for 8 on attempts 40 yards or longer – including 0 for 3 on kicks of 50 or more yards.
Kessman will get his first NFL regular-season game action Sunday when the Jets host the Philadelphia Eagles.
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