Tony Hunter obit

Former Buffalo Bills First-Round Running Back Has Tragically Passes Away

 

He was not on the list.

Some sad news has emerged in the football world: Former Buffalo Bills first-round pick and Notre Dame legend Tony Hunter has passed away.

On their official X/Twitter account, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team announced that Tony Hunter, who spent two years with the Buffalo Bills and later the Los Angeles Rams, passed away on June 11 at the age of 64. No cause of death was immediately given.

Hunter spent four seasons at Notre Dame, tallying 120 receptions for 1,897 yards and five touchdowns to go along with 120 rushing yards and a rushing TD. Hunter previously played WR before switching to tight end late in his NCAA career.

He had his best season in 1982, compiling 42 receptions for 507 yards. Hunter led the Fighting Irish to a Sugar Bowl appearance in the 1980 season, but they lost 17-10 to the Georgia Bulldogs.

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Hunter played scholastically for Ohio powerhouse Archbishop Moeller High School. He played collegiately for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, where, as a senior, he was honored by the Newspaper Enterprise Association as a first-team All-American.

Hunter was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first-round (12th overall) of the 1983 NFL Draft, two picks ahead of Jim Kelly. He split his four-year NFL career between the Bills and the Los Angeles Rams, accumulating 134 receptions for 1501 yards with 9 touchdowns. His final season in 1986 was cut short due to a career ending leg injury.

 

Career history

Buffalo Bills (1983–1984)

Los Angeles Rams (1985–1986)

 

Career highlights and awards

PFWA All-Rookie Team (1983)

First-team All-American (1982)

 

Career NFL statistics

Receptions:            134

Receiving yards:   1,501

Receiving TDs:            9