Former NFL Pro Bowl Player Walt Rock Dies at 84

1 week ago 0

Walt Rock, a retired defensive tackle who played eleven seasons in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers and Washington Redskins, passed away on May 19 at the age of 84.

Early Career and Draft

In 1962, Rock earned recognition as an honorable mention All-American while attending the University of Maryland. He was also named an all-Atlantic Coast Conference guard and tackle. The following year, the San Francisco 49ers selected him with the 21st overall pick in the second round of the 1963 NFL Draft. Although also drafted by the AFC’s Kansas City Chiefs, he chose to play in the NFL.

Pro Career Highlights

Rock played in 137 games over his 11-year career from 1963 to 1973. Starting almost every game during the last decade of his career, he achieved Pro Bowl selections in 1965 and 1966 while with the 49ers. In 1966, Sporting News honored him with a first-team All-Pro selection.

In 1968, the Redskins acquired Rock, trading a first-round draft pick for him. By 1972, he was a key contributor in Washington’s “Over-the-Hill Gang,” helping the team win the NFC Championship against the Dallas Cowboys and reach the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Miami Dolphins. During that Super Bowl, Rock became the second player from the University of Maryland to start in the event. He retired in 1973 after recurring ankle injuries.

Life After Football

After retiring, Rock focused on his career at Door Systems, Inc. in Virginia, a company he had been involved with during off-seasons. In 1972, the Elyria (Ohio) Sports Hall of Fame inducted him as part of its inaugural class. As a student, he played football for Elyria High School and excelled in basketball, leading the team to a successful run with only one regular-season loss over two years.