Kyle Rote

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Kyle Rote Sr. (October 27, 1928 – August 15, 2002) was an American football player who spent 11 seasons with the New York Giants as a running back and wide receiver. He played college football at Southern Methodist University (SMU), where he was an All-American and runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in 1950. The Giants drafted him first overall in 1951. He began as a running back but moved to wide receiver after two seasons because of a knee injury.

Rote helped the Giants reach four NFL championship games, including the 1956 title and the famous 1958 overtime game known as The Greatest Game against the Baltimore Colts. He served as Giants captain for eight years and earned four Pro Bowl selections. After retiring in 1961, he coached the Giants’ backfield and became a popular broadcaster for NBC and New York radio.

Off the field, Rote helped start the NFL Players Association and served as its first president. He was the father of soccer star Kyle Rote Jr. and was known for his colorful personality and wide influence in football. He died of a heart attack in Baltimore, Maryland, at age 73.

Rote’s legacy includes induction into the College Football Hall of Fame (1964) and the Giants Ring of Honor, along with various Texas and football halls of fame. He wrote books about football, worked as a sportscaster, and was an accomplished painter and songwriter. A street in San Antonio is named in his honor.