Former MSU All-American Dave Behrman dies at 73
Behrman was an All-America pick in 1961 and 1962, and later a first-round pick.
He was not on the list.
EAST LANSING -- Former Michigan State All-America offensive lineman Dave Behrman died of pancreatic cancer today at age 73, MSU announced.
The Dowagiac native, nicknamed "The Big Bear," was an All-America pick in 1961 as a junior and 1962 as a senior, playing for coach Duffy Daugherty. At 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds -- huge for that time -- Behrman played center, guard and tackle for the Spartans.
"If there is a college lineman anywhere with his speed, power, quickness and intelligence, he has been well hidden," Daugherty said during Behrman's career as a Spartan. "He's awfully quick for his size and he's agile on offense and rough to move on defense."
Behrman, who also played some defensive line during his MSU career, was drafted in the first round in 1963 by both the Buffalo Bills (AFL, No. 4 overall) and the Chicago Bears (NFL, No. 11 overall). Behrman played for the Bills from 1963-65 and for Denver in 1967.
Behrman became the Bills' starting center, replacing veteran Walt Cudzik, playing between left offensive guard Billy Shaw and right guard Al Bemiller. However, due to a back injury, Behrman did not play when the Bills won their second AFL Championship game over the San Diego Chargers by a score of 23–0 under head coach Lou Saban. That season, Behrman was an AFL All-Star center. However, he did not play in 1966, replaced by Bemiller.
Behrman played with the AFL's Denver Broncos during the 1967 AFL season when he played in 11 games.
On December 9, 2014, he died of pancreatic cancer. He was one of at least 345 NFL players to be diagnosed after death with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), caused by repeated hits to the head.
Career history
Buffalo Bills (1963–1965)
Denver Broncos (1967)
Lansing All Stars (1972)
Flint Sabres (1973–1974)
Lansing Capitals (1975–1976)
Career highlights and awards
AFL champion (1965)
AFL All-Star (1965)
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