Dave Jennings obit

Former NFL punter and radio analyst Dave Jennings dies at 61

He was not on the list.

Former New York Giants punter and radio analyst Dave Jennings died at his home in Upper Saddle River, N.J., at age 61, the team announced Wednesday.

Jennings, who had battled Parkinson’s disease since 1996, holds the franchise records for punts (931, or 405 more than second-place Sean Landeta) and yards (38,792).

“Dave Jennings was one of the all-time great Giants,” team President John Mara said. “He was a valued member of the Giants family for more than 30 years as a player and a broadcaster, and we were thrilled to include him in our Ring of Honor. More importantly, he was an outstanding person who battled his illness with rare courage and dignity. We will miss him dearly.”

Jennings made four Pro Bowls while playing with the Giants from 1974 to 1984 and punted for more than 4,000 yards in a season three times. He was part of the Giants’ second Ring of Honor class, inducted in 2011.

He spent the final three seasons of his playing career with the New York Jets then moved to the team’s radio broadcast booth as an commentator from 1988 to 2001.

Jennings returned to the Giants organization as radio analyst in 2002 and remained until after the 2007 season.

“Dave is and always will be a Giants’ Giant,” team Chairman Steve Tisch said.

His former teammates, coaches and club owners included: Craig Morton, Ray Rhodes, Bill Arnsparger, Timothy J. Mara, Wellington Mara, Pete Gogolak, Ron Johnson, Doug Van Horn, George Martin, Brad Van Pelt, Bob Hyland, John McVay, Norm Snead, Larry Csonka, Harry Carson, Joe Pisarcik, Gary Jeter, Gordon King, Phil Simms, Ray Perkins, Bill Parcells, Mark Haynes, Scott Brunner, George Young, Lawrence Taylor, Bill Belichick, Billy Ard, Rob Carpenter, Joe Morris, Butch Woolfolk, Ali Haji-Sheikh, Romeo Crennel, Zeke Mowatt, John Tuggle, Terry Kinard, Jeff Rutledge, Jim Burt, Leonard Marshall, Jeff Hostetler, Phil McConkey, Lionel Manuel, Gary Reasons, Leon Hess, Joe Walton, Al Toon, Ken O'Brien, Freeman McNeil, Joe Klecko, Mark Gastineau, Lance Mehl, Pat Ryan, Wesley Walker, Johnny Hector, Tony Paige, Marion Barber Jr., Joe Fields, Mickey Shuler, Pat Leahy, Kirk Springs, Kurt Sohn, Harry Hamilton, Reggie McElroy, Jim Sweeney and Kyle Clifton.

He worked as a radio color commentator for Giants games from 2002 until 2007, when he was replaced by former Giants linebacker Carl Banks