Fred Bruney obit

Football Star Frederick Bruney had died

1931 - 2016

 

 He was not on the list.

Frederick "Fred" Karl Bruney, age 84, passed away peacefully on January 22nd, 2016 surrounded by loved ones at Brookdale Memory Care in Sandy Springs, GA. Fred was born to the late Arthur J. Bruney and Eula (Mozena) Bruney on December 30th, 1931 in Martins Ferry, OH. He married his childhood sweetheart, the late Louise (Freeman) Bruney in 1953, and shared 60 years of marriage with Louise before her passing in 2014. Upon graduating from Martins Ferry High School in 1949, Fred attended The Ohio State University, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in 1953. He played football for the OSU Buckeyes, under Woody Hayes, earning the nickname "Fearless Fred" for his aggressive play on both sides of the grid-iron, and receiving All-Big 10 honors his senior year. His time at OSU would lead him to a lifelong career in the NFL as both a player and a coach. Described as "pound for pound, one of the toughest players in the nation," it was Fred's love of others; his family, his players, and his friends, that defined him. He was a champion for inclusiveness and an advocate for 'the underdog,' as his influence on those around him expanded well beyond the playing field. Fred was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1953; an 11-year playing career that would take him to the NFL San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Rams, and Boston Patriots where he was a two-time AFL All-Star selection. His professional coaching career also began in Boston as a player-coach -- which launched his long NFL coaching career with the Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts. Fred was appointed Interim Head Coach of the Eagles for the last game of the 1985 season, going 1-0 as a head coach -- providing his children with the opportunity to brag that their dad has "the highest winning percentage in history for an NFL head coach." Fred retired from the NFL after the 1997 season, and at that time, he held the longest tenure as a player and coach in Pro Football at 44 years. Upon retirement, Fred and Louise lived in Ocean Isle Beach, NC and Sandy Springs, GA. Fred enjoyed his free time playing golf, watching games on TV, and visiting his children and grandchildren across the country. He was an incredibly loving and supportive husband; father, brother, father-in-law, grandfather, uncle and friend. He was preceded in death by his older brother Arthur J. Bruney, Jr. and sister-in-law Sara Margaret (SM) Jewell Bruney. Left to honor Fred and remember his love are his five children: Chuck Bruney (& John Giffer) of Sandy Springs, GA; Susan (& Jerry) Schretter of Ridgewood, NJ; Lori (& Victor) Johnston of Wheaton, IL; Becky (& T.R.) Dellin of Winnetka, IL; and Rich (& Lori) Bruney of Acworth, GA. Fred is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Kristen, Michael, Jennifer and Julia Schretter; Erick and Katie Johnston; Charlotte, Jack, and Caroline Dellin; Abbie, Sara, and Jake Bruney; as well as his younger sister, Judy (& Larry) Simms of Massillon, OH and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends of the Bruney family are invited to a joyous celebration of Fred's life to be held on Saturday, January 30, 2016 from 2:00 - 5:00pm at Hudson Grille, 6317 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to be made to the Nobis Works Foundation, whose mission is to develop and provide job training, employment and vocational support for youth and adults with disabilities and other barriers to employment. www.nobisworks.org