Harry Jacobs (1937-1984) American Football Player

Harry Jacobs (1937-1984) American Football Player dies at 17 December 2021

Harry Jacobs American Football Player (1937-1984)

For eleven-seasons (1960 to 1971), he played at the linebacker position in the American and National Football League with the Boston Patriots, Buffalo Bills and New Orleans Saints.

Born Harry Edward Jacobs, he attended Canton High School in Illinois and played collegiate football at Bradley University. Selected by the Detroit Lions during the 11th round of the 1959 NFL Draft, he totaled 134 career regular season games.

He was a contributor to two AFL Title teams (1964 and 1965 Buffalo Bills) and individually distinguished himself when he achieved All-Star honors twice (1965 and 1969). After retiring from football, he worked in the insurance industry.

Professional career

Jacobs played in the playoffs four straight years (1963–1966) with the Bills, and was an AFL All-Star in 1965 and 1969. With John Tracey and Mike Stratton he filled out one of pro football’s best linebacking units, which played together for 62 consecutive games from 1963 through 1967, and wreaked havoc on many offensive lines, a professional football record. They helped the Bills’ formidable front four hold opposing teams without a 100-yard rusher for seventeen consecutive games in 1964 and 1965, and achieved American Football League championships in both those years. He is one of only twenty players who played in the American Football League throughout its ten-year existence.

Personal life and death

Jacobs died in a nursing home on December 17, 2021, at the age of 84.