Walter Rock obit

Walter Rock Has Died

 

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Walter Warfield Rock, the former Maryland standout and Pro Bowl offensive lineman whose steady play and trademark toughness defined an eleven-year NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers and Washington Redskins, died May 19, 2026, in Williamsburg, Virginia. He was 84.

Rock was born on November 4, 1941, in Cleveland, Ohio. A 1959 graduate of Elyria High School, Rock distinguished himself as a multi-sport athlete, excelling on both the football field and the basketball court. In 1972, he was inducted as a member of the inaugural class of the Elyria Sports Hall of Fame. Known for his toughness and competitive spirit, he was affectionately nicknamed Walt “Hard” Rock by local sportswriters during his playing days.

Rock continued his football career as a lineman at the University of Maryland, where in 1962 he earned first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors and was awarded the 1962 Defensive Lineman Coaches Award by the Maryland staff.

Rock went on to enjoy an illustrious career in the National Football League. Drafted in 1963 as a second round pick for both the AFL’s Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, he chose the NFL. After four seasons with the 49ers, Rock was traded to the Washington Redskins in 1968 in exchange for a first round draft pick. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 1965 and was a member of Washington’s celebrated “Over-the-Hill Gang” team that advanced to Super Bowl VII.

Following his retirement from football, Rock remained in northern Virginia and continued his business career as President and Owner of Door Systems, Inc. Beyond business, he cultivated many passions throughout his life. An avid boater and competitive sailor in his middle years, he found lasting joy on the water. Largely self-taught in architectural design and drafting, he applied his talents to designing, building, and renovating homes. In his later years, he discovered a special calling in the design of wooden boats, combining his craftsmanship with his lifelong love of the sea.

Rock retired to Williamsburg, VA in 2010, and continued to pursue his passions. He especially treasured meeting friends each morning for coffee and conversation.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Virginia Ruth Rock (née Bagnell) and Warfield Rock, and by his son, Bradley Allen Rock. He is survived by his wife, Alice; three sisters, Virginia (Ginni), Judy and Diane; two children, Douglas and Chelsea; and eight beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren, of whom he was immensely proud.

Rock was born on November 4, 1941, in Cleveland, Ohio. He grew up a Cleveland Browns fan, attending Browns’ games with his grandfather who encouraged him to become a football player. He attended Elyria High School, in Elyria, Ohio, and was a two-way player on the football team. Rock played offensive left end on its football team. In an October 24, 1958 game, Rock had touchdown receptions of 40 and 70 yards in the game's first quarter. He was also Elyria's left end on defense. As a senior in 1958, the 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) or 6 ft 4½ in (1.94 m) 205 lb. (93 kg) Rock was first team All-Buckeye Conference on both offense and defense as an end.

Rock was recruited by a number of Big Ten teams, but chose to attend the University of Maryland after being convinced by Maryland assistant coach Bernie Reid, a fellow Ohioan. He played on the football team under head coach Tommy Nugent. As a sophomore in 1960, he was now a 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 230 lb. (104.3) end on offense, including a role as a pass receiver. As a junior, he became the starter at guard when regular guard Tom Sankovich was hospitalized with a kidney injury, while also playing tackle on defense. He played both guard and tackle as a senior. Rock was honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) at guard as a junior in 1961. As a senior in 1962, he was named first-team All-ACC at guard.

He was selected to play at tackle in the 1962 Blue-Gray Game. He was also selected to play at guard in the 1963 Chicago College All-Star Game against the Green Bay Packers; however, he suffered an injury before that game.

The San Francisco 49ers selected Rock in the second round of the 1963 NFL draft, 21st overall. He was also selected in the second round of the American Football League (AFL) draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, 16th overall. He immediately signed with San Francisco after the selection was announced. He signed for a $13,000 salary and $6,000 bonus.

As a rookie in 1963, Rock was assigned to play defensive end as a reserve, and to play on special teams. During a punt return in a game against the Minnesota Vikings in September 1963, Rock was hit with a "teeth-rattling" block from the aptly name Steve Stonebreaker to free returner Bill Butler for a touchdown. Rock played in only seven games on the season, however, due to a knee injury that required surgery and ended his season.

In 1964, Rock became the 49ers' starting right offensive tackle when future Pro Football Hall of Famer Bob St. Clair was injured in training camp, ending his NFL career. Rock started all 14 games in 1964 at right tackle. He did so again in 1965 and was selected to the 1965 Pro Bowl.

Rock signed a two-year contract in 1966, subject to the NFL's option clause. He started all 14 games at right tackle for the 49ers in both 1966 and 1967. In 1967, the 49ers flew him home to Arlington, Virginia two days a week to work in his family’s garage door installation business in nearby Washington, D.C. He did not report to the 49ers training camp in 1968, seeking to be traded to the Baltimore Colts or Washington Redskins where he could be closer to his family's business.

Under then current NFL practices, players who sought to play for another team after playing out their contracts, subject to an option clause, were still limited by Commissioner Pete Rozelle's ability to require that the new team compensate the original team with players or draft picks of equal value. In Rock's case, Rozelle determined he was worth a No. 1 draft pick. Rock was eventually traded to Washington in September 1968 for a 1970 first round draft pick.

Rock started 10 games at left tackle for Washington in 1968, with Jim Snowden at starting right tackle, under head coach Otto Graham. Graham already was in the Hall of Fame as a quarterback by that time, and was later selected as one of the NFL's 100 greatest players. After a 5–9 season, Graham was replaced by coaching legend Vince Lombardi, who would enter the Hall of Fame as a coach, and be selected as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history. Of Lombardi, Rock later said "[He] was the type of person who, if you're lucky, you're able to be associated with once in your life...[he] brought something to Washington last year which has carried over: Be a believer!... He always told us, 'Believe in yourselves and stick together...then you can't lose.'"  Lombardi made Rock the starting right tackle and Snowden the starting left tackle. Rock played in only 12 games, starting all of them at right tackle. Washington's record improved to 7–5–2 in 1969.

Lombardi died less than one year later, and Rock started 13 games at right tackle under head coach Bill Austin in 1970, with the team falling to 6–8. In 1971, future Hall of Fame coach George Allen took over as Washington's head coach. Rock started all 14 games at right tackle under Allen in both 1971 and 1972. The team finished 9–4–1 in 1971. In 1971, the line of Rock, Snowden, guards Ray Schoenke and John Wilbur and center Len Hauss permitted only 17 quarterback sacks, second best in the NFL

The Elyria YMCA opened doors that indelibly shaped Rock’s formative years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Greater Cleveland YMCA

A funeral service will be held on June 19 at 11am at Pohick Church (9301 Richmond Highway) in Lorton, VA.

 

Career history

San Francisco 49ers (1963–1967)

Washington Redskins (1968–1973)

Florida Blazers (1974)

Awards and highlights

Pro Bowl (1965)

First-team All-ACC (1962)

Career NFL statistics

Games played  137

Games started  126

Fumble recoveries       5