Bob Lee obit

Former Rams, Vikings, Falcons Quarterback Bob Lee Dies

The 12-year NFL veteran helped multiple teams reach the Super Bowl before returning to college as his alma mater's athletic director.

 

He was not on the list.

Quarterback Bob Lee, whose 12 NFL seasons saw him make multiple Super Bowls, died Aug. 17 in San Francisco. He was 81.

Lee played 77 regular-season games, making 30 starts, and passing for 5,034 yards for the Minnesota Vikings (1969-72, 1975-78), Atlanta Falcons (1973-74) and Los Angeles Rams (1979-80).

A charter member of the University of the Pacific's Athletics Hall of Fame, Lee was an outstanding kicker and passer in college. He returned to his alma mater as athletics director from 1991-96, and oversaw the construction or renovation of many of the school's athletics facilities.

Lee also led Pacific’s effort to host the 1998 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Arco Arena.

The Vikings selected Lee in the 17th round of the 1968 NFL draft, 441st overall. He played sparingly at quarterback early in his career, but led the team in punting in both 1969 and 1971; the latter season he led the NFL in punts (89) and punting yardage (3,515).

Minnesota lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl IV, which Lee watched from the sidelines. He spent four seasons with the Vikings before being traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 1973.

Lee immediately got his longest run as a starting quarterback in Atlanta. He replaced Dick Shiner and led the Falcons to seven consecutive victories. He went 8-2 as a starter, passing for 1,786 yards and 10 touchdowns in 1973.

Atlanta finished the season 9-5. At the time, it was the best season in franchise history, although the Falcons missed the playoffs. Lee was named the team’s most valuable player and Georgia Athlete of the Year.

The following season, Lee threw three touchdown passes and 14 interceptions as Atlanta went 3-11. That was his final opportunity as an NFL starter; Lee returned to Minnesota in 1975 and remained there through 1978.

In the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 1, 1978, Lee started in place of an injured Fran Tarkenton. The Dallas Cowboys beat the Vikings, 23-6.

Lee retired as a player after spending the 1979 and 1980 seasons as a backup quarterback with the Rams.

Outside of his work as athletic director, Lee worked in real estate and construction and spent time as a television analyst. He is survived by his wife Janice, his children Matt, Jenna, and Zac, and six grandchildren.

He played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils, CCSF Rams and Pacific Tigers.

Personal information

Born    August 7, 1945 (age 81)

Columbus, Ohio, U.S.

Listed height   6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)

Listed weight  195 lb (88 kg)

Career information

High school     Lowell (San Francisco)

College            Arizona State (1963–1964)

CCSF (1965)

Pacific (1966–1967)

NFL draft        1968: 17th round, 441st overall pick

Career history

Minnesota Vikings (1969–1972)

Atlanta Falcons (1973–1974)

Minnesota Vikings (1975–1978)

Los Angeles Rams (1979–1980)

Awards and highlights

NFL champion (1969)

NFL punting yards leader (1971)

Career NFL statistics

Passing attempts          730

Passing completions    368

Completion percentage           50.4%

TD–INT          30–40

Passing yards  5,034

Passer rating    63.7

Punting yards  6,195

Punting average          39.7