John Charles: 1944-2019
6/18/2019 1:51:00 PM | Football
Hall of Fame defensive back was 1967 Rose Bowl MVP
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - John Charles, a member of the Purdue Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame, has died at the age of 75 in Houston.
Charles was a three-year football letterwinner as a defensive back for the Boilermakers from 1964 to 1966. He was regarded for his tenacity and aggressiveness on the field and was tabbed as "the best defensive back I've ever coached" by his position coach Bernie Miller.
As a senior, Charles suffered a separated shoulder Oct. 20, underwent surgery a week later and was sidelined for the balance of the regular season. He returned to play in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 2, 1967, registering 11 tackles and being named the game's Most Valuable Player. Despite playing in just five regular-season games, Charles earned All-America honors.
Charles picked off five interceptions over the course of his career (one as a sophomore, two as a junior and two as senior). He also was the Boilermakers' primary kickoff returner his senior season, averaging a then-school-record 24.6 yards on 11 attempts.
Charles was selected to the 1967 Senior Bowl, Chicago College All-Star Game and Coaches All-American Game.
A native of Linden, New Jersey, Charles was selected by the Boston Patriots in the first round (No. 21 overall) of the 1967 National Football League Draft. He played for the Patriots for three years and then went on to play for the Minnesota Vikings (1970) and Houston Oilers (1971-74). Charles had 16 career interceptions - including two that he returned for touchdowns - with a season best of five in 1971.
After retiring from professional football, Charles had a 33-year career in business.
Charles was inducted into the Purdue Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015.
Charles was a three-year football letterwinner as a defensive back for the Boilermakers from 1964 to 1966. He was regarded for his tenacity and aggressiveness on the field and was tabbed as "the best defensive back I've ever coached" by his position coach Bernie Miller.
As a senior, Charles suffered a separated shoulder Oct. 20, underwent surgery a week later and was sidelined for the balance of the regular season. He returned to play in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 2, 1967, registering 11 tackles and being named the game's Most Valuable Player. Despite playing in just five regular-season games, Charles earned All-America honors.
Charles picked off five interceptions over the course of his career (one as a sophomore, two as a junior and two as senior). He also was the Boilermakers' primary kickoff returner his senior season, averaging a then-school-record 24.6 yards on 11 attempts.
Charles was selected to the 1967 Senior Bowl, Chicago College All-Star Game and Coaches All-American Game.
A native of Linden, New Jersey, Charles was selected by the Boston Patriots in the first round (No. 21 overall) of the 1967 National Football League Draft. He played for the Patriots for three years and then went on to play for the Minnesota Vikings (1970) and Houston Oilers (1971-74). Charles had 16 career interceptions - including two that he returned for touchdowns - with a season best of five in 1971.
After retiring from professional football, Charles had a 33-year career in business.
Charles was inducted into the Purdue Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015.
