Sam Ball, an All-America tackle at Kentucky and member of Baltimore Colts’ 2 Super Bowl teams, dies

Advertisement

Advertise with us

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Sam Ball, an All-American offensive tackle at Kentucky who was a member of two Super Bowl teams with the Baltimore Colts, has died. He was 79.

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/10/2023 (1057 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Sam Ball, an All-American offensive tackle at Kentucky who was a member of two Super Bowl teams with the Baltimore Colts, has died. He was 79.

The school announced Ball’s death in his hometown of Henderson, Kentucky, on Monday after receiving word from his family. No cause of death was given.

Ball was an all-state and All-American player at Henderson High School before earning similar honors with the Wildcats. He lettered from 1963-65 on Kentucky’s varsity under Charlie Bradshaw after playing on the freshman squad and was a consensus first team All-America as a senior.

Coach for the South squad Weeb Ewbank, right, of the New York Jets, talks with some of his squad, from left to right, Kentucky's Sam Ball, West Texas State's George Allen and Bethune-Cookman's Elijah Gipson as they train for the North-South Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., Jan. 7, 1966. Ball, an All-American offensive tackle at Kentucky who was a member of two Super Bowl teams with the Baltimore Colts, has died. He was 79. The school announced Ball’s death in his hometown of Henderson, Ky., Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, after receiving word from his family. (AP Photo/Horace Cort, File)
Coach for the South squad Weeb Ewbank, right, of the New York Jets, talks with some of his squad, from left to right, Kentucky's Sam Ball, West Texas State's George Allen and Bethune-Cookman's Elijah Gipson as they train for the North-South Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., Jan. 7, 1966. Ball, an All-American offensive tackle at Kentucky who was a member of two Super Bowl teams with the Baltimore Colts, has died. He was 79. The school announced Ball’s death in his hometown of Henderson, Ky., Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, after receiving word from his family. (AP Photo/Horace Cort, File)

Ball also made the All-Southeastern Conference first team that season, blocking for teammates who set school records in rushing, passing and total offense. His play earned appearances in the College All-Star, North-South Shrine and Senior Bowl games.

Ball played 61 NFL contests with the Colts after being drafted 15th overall in the first round in 1966. Baltimore posted pro football’s best record those five seasons and Ball played on the 1968 NFL championship team in Super Bowl III and the 1970 squad that won Super Bowl V in ’71, his final pro game.

He managed his own farm and was an award-winning salesman in the agriculture industry after returning home. Ball was also a public speaker and conducted a free football camp that served more than 2,000 boys. His golf scramble, most recently held last month, benefited the homeless community.

Kentucky retired Ball’s No. 73 jersey and inducted him into its Athletics Hall of Fame. Ball was elected to the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.

Ball’s son, Shane, played at Kentucky from 1991-94 and wore No. 37 because, “I wanted to be a reflection of my father,” the release stated. Ball also had twin daughters Shannon and Shelly.

___ Get alerts on the latest AP Top 25 poll throughout the season. Sign up here ___ AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Report Error Submit a Tip

Uncategorized

LOAD UNCATEGORIZED ARTICLES