John Meyer (American football)

John Meyer
No. 54
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	February 20, 1942; Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died:	November 4, 2020 (aged 78); Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:	225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school:	Brother Rice (IL)
College:	Notre Dame
NFL draft:	1965 / round: 8 / pick: 110
AFL draft:	1965 / round: 15 / pick: 120
Career history
As a player:
	Houston Oilers (1966);
As a coach:
	Boston/New England Patriots (1969–1972) ; Linebackers coach; Detroit Lions (1973–1974) ; Linebackers coach; Green Bay Packers (1975–1979) ; Linebackers coach; Green Bay Packers (1980–1983) ; Defensive coordinator;
	Record at Pro Football Reference
	Stats at Pro Football Reference

John Edwin Meyer (February 20, 1942 – November 4, 2020) was an American professional football player and coach. He played as a linebacker for the Houston Oilers in the American Football League (AFL).

Biography

Meyer graduated from Brother Rice High School.^[1]

Playing career

Meyer played at the collegiate level at the University of Notre Dame.^[2] He played with the Houston Oilers of the AFL as a linebacker during the 1966 AFL season after being traded to the team by the Buffalo Bills.^[3] The Bills had drafted him in the fifteenth round of the 1965 AFL Draft. Meyer had also been drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the eighth round of the 1965 NFL draft. While with the Oilers, John played all fourteen games in 1966 at linebacker before suffering a career-ending injury. After his playing career, John became one of the youngest assistant coaches in the NFL.

Coaching career

Meyer served as an assistant coach with the Oilers, New England Patriots and Detroit Lions before joining the Green Bay Packers. With the Packers, he served as linebackers coach from 1975 to 1979 and defensive coordinator from 1980 to 1983. Following his time in the NFL, Meyer later became a part-time assistant coach at St. Norbert College.

Death

Meyer died from COVID-19 on November 4, 2020, at age 78.^[4]

References

^ "Former Packers assistant Meyer added to 2 halls of fame". Green Bay Press Gazette. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2011.
^ "John Meyer". National Football League. Retrieved July 27, 2011.
^ "John Meyer". Brother Rice High School. Archived from the original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2011.
^ Bill Curry [@coachbillcurry] (November 5, 2020). "John Meyer died yesterday. He and I were assistants with the Packers and became close friends. He had severe physical issues, but died of Covid-19, according to his wife Loretta. He was one of the best friends I ever had, and a great football coach. I will miss him terribly" (Tweet) – via Twitter.

[1] "Former Packers assistant Meyer added to 2 halls of fame". Green Bay Press Gazette. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2011.

[2] "John Meyer". National Football League. Retrieved July 27, 2011.

[3] "John Meyer". Brother Rice High School. Archived from the original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2011.

[4] Bill Curry [@coachbillcurry] (November 5, 2020). "John Meyer died yesterday. He and I were assistants with the Packers and became close friends. He had severe physical issues, but died of Covid-19, according to his wife Loretta. He was one of the best friends I ever had, and a great football coach. I will miss him terribly" (Tweet) – via Twitter.

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