Wolverines Fan Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/13/todd-christensen-all-pro-tight-end-dies-at-57/ Todd Christensen, a tight end who twice led the NFL in receptions, has died at the age of 57. The Salt Lake Tribune reports that Christensen, who had battled liver disease and other illnesses, died this morning in a Utah hospital. Brigham Young University, where Christensen was a star running back, announced that he had died of complications from surgery. A second-round pick of the Cowboys in the 1978 NFL draft, Christensen played well as a fullback in his first preseason before suffering a broken foot and missing his rookie season. In his second season, the Cowboys told him he was switching from fullback to tight end, he balked, and the team cut him. He was picked up by the Giants but was unhappy there as well, still didn’t want to play tight end, and was quickly cut again. But the Raiders were able to persuade him that tight end was the position he was best suited for, and he thrived. In 1982 he began to emerge as one of the best tight ends in football, and in 1983 led the league in receptions with 92 while making the first of his five consecutive Pro Bowl appearances. He would lead the league in receptions again in 1986, with 95, and he won two Super Bowl rings during his time with the Raiders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MustOfBeenDrunk Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 RIP brother Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loaf Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 RIP. What a gutty, gritty player I remember him as with the Raiders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MustOfBeenDrunk Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 RIP. What a gutty, gritty player I remember him as with the Raiders. yes and not to disrespect the man but doesn't Charles Clay remind you some of him , high , weight , FB/TE depending on who's reporting on then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddahj Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gopher Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 Way too young. He was from the era of players that my brothers and I tried to emulate, while playing football in the backyard, as kids. Christensen, a devout Mormon, did not drink. Toby, one of his four sons, told the Associated Press the family believed the liver problems began 25 years ago after a "botched" gall bladder operation. http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/11/13/todd-chistensen-obit-raiders/3516843/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butkus Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 RIP indeed. Great player and a witty guy to boot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zooty Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 Loved the hair.... RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pratts Posted November 15, 2013 Share Posted November 15, 2013 Loved the hair.... RIP He and Kelly Tripucka had the 80's half perm/half mullet look down to a science. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtkelly Posted November 15, 2013 Share Posted November 15, 2013 Nearly impossible to stop his crossing route in Tecmo Bowl. This guy was a class act in real life. RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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