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photo by FILE PHOTO
Former NFL All-Pro Coy Bacon died at his Ironton residence Monday.
Coy Bacon dies at 66
Ironton resident was one of NFL's top pass rushers
Published Monday, December 22, 2008
The Ironton Tribune has learned that former NFL All-Pro Coy Bacon died this morning at his Ironton residence. He was 66.
After playing football for Ironton High School and Jackson State, Bacon began his professional career as a member of the Continental Football League’s Charleston team. But in 1968, he moved to the NFL when he was picked up by the Los Angeles Rams.
He later played for the San Diego Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Redskins. He was a Pro Bowler in 1972, 1976 and 1977. According to ESPN.com, the NFL did not officially begin compiling statistics on sacks until 1982. Bacon unofficially recorded 26 sacks during the 1976 season, which would be considered an all-time record, and researchers credit Bacon with a career total of 130.
He finished his career with the Washington Federals of the USFL in 1983. He later became a motivational speaker and moved back to Ironton.
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Comments
Posted by WhatAJoke (anonymous) on December 22, 2008 at 11:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How sad. . . what a great, inspirational man. He coached my daughter's basketball team several years ago and took such an interest in the kids and made them feel important. I know he will be greatly missed by his family and many, many friends.
Posted by cashmere (anonymous) on December 22, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In every casual encounter over the years, Mr. Bacon came across as a kindly man. Much sympathy to his beloved family and friends.
Posted by porter (anonymous) on December 22, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ironton has lost a true hero. Mr. Bacon has done so much for the children of Ironton and he'll be missed greatly. He coached my daughter in basketball several years ago and was such a positive influence. My heart goes out to his family and friends.
Posted by goherd (anonymous) on December 22, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
would have been a hell of a football coach at South Point if the politics wouldn't have ran him off. This is a sad thing to here. He was a good man.
Posted by ky3bells (anonymous) on December 22, 2008 at 10:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
a gentle giant.....a wonderful kind man whom I had the pleasure of meeting. For the short period of time I knew him, I will miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Posted by STARBUCK (anonymous) on December 22, 2008 at 10:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I AM SAD TO HERE THAT ONE OF IRONTON'S OWN LEGENDS HAS PASSED AWAY.
GOD, PLEASE COMFORT THIS FAMILY. LET THEM KNOW THAT COY WAS A TRUE HERO AND WILL HAVE A PLACE OF HONOR IN HEAVEN.
FAMILY AND FRIENDS, PLEASE KNOW THAT YOU TOO CAN SEE COY AGAIN IN HEAVEN WITH JESUS!
I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN MY DEAR BROTHER AND FRIEND!
Posted by jdiddy04 (anonymous) on December 23, 2008 at 12:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i am sad to hear the passing of mr bacon, coy and my dad worked in franklin furnase at the boys prision and got to know coy very well he was the nicest man u could meet i have had alot of conversations with him about football and life but i will always remember that laugh or that hug he would give u and those huge hands of his and those phone calls to check on our family i will surley miss him alot but god got him a gentle giant and 1 heck of a def line guy miss ya coy
Posted by kenadams (anonymous) on December 26, 2008 at 12:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As a friend of Coy's, I have seen the work he has done with the youth in our community.
Coy will forever be remembered not only as a great football player but a great man. It's a shame that the sports world has not given him the recognition he deserves even with his passing. Coy I thank you for the times you had taken me and my brother to Bengals football games and just enjoying watching our faces as Tim, Brown, Marcus Allen, Howie Long and Art Shell just to name a few take the time to autograph our items even after being defeated.
Coy was the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back (which is rare in a world that we live in where someone usually takes the shirt off your back). He was a giving man. He was a big kindhearted giant that never looked at the color of ones skin. HE truly loved us all and we love him...
I am honored to have known you.
God Bless You Coy....
You and your family are in our prayers..
Posted by chinton (anonymous) on January 1, 2009 at 6:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was stunned to hear of Mr. Bacon's death. I had the privelege of taking care of him when he was shot in DC back in 1986. He was a kind man. One of my childhood heros. He signed a football that I brought to him as he was ready to leave the hospital. I had contacted him a few years back and had planned to visit him. I never really got to know him well but I understand he did a lot with local youth programs. My heart goes out to his family. God love you Mr. Bacon. I appreciate how you credited our Lord and Savior for your recovery. Enjoy paradise my friend. I'll see you someday. I've got a million questions to ask you.
Dr. Carl
Posted by johnespey (anonymous) on August 3, 2009 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I just now learned of Coy's death. Gentle Giant is such an appropriate term. Coy was our close neighbor and friend in Herndon, Va. while he was with the Redskins and USFL Federals. He would have our two young sons (ages 4 and 2) over for cookies and milk during the offseason. He played on our men's slow pitch softball team, and I remember those monstrous left handed swings that usually resulted in ear-shattering whiffs, but when he connected he could have rounded the bases twice before the outfielder got the ball. He loved playing the card game spades, slapping each card down loudly, then yelling in mock anger when he would lose.
Coy's popularity with the Redskin fans probably rivals Art Monk's. After the Federals games, there was always a crowd of media and fans on the field talking with Coy.
Friend, you are missed.
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