The tributes are arriving after the death of the former field marshal of the New York Jets, Bill Dely, at the age of 74.
The two -year player of the NFL and the University of the University at the University of Arizona had been fighting prostate cancer and Parkinson's disease before his death.
The news was revealed by a Online obituarywho revealed details of an upcoming commemorative service near his home in Phoenix, Arizona.
Dely was the support of Joe Namath in the Jets in the early 1970s, playing in the 1973 and 1974 seasons.
In its three openings for the teams, Dely took the Jets to a victory over the New England patriots, before suffering defeats to the steelers and broncos.
He was signed by the then coach Weeb Ewbank, after the HC received a Deory game movie while attending a conference in Arizona.
Ex-New York Jets QB Bill Dely died at the age of 74 years after a battle against cancer
Initially it was fifth in the depth table when he arrived in New York, but soon moved to the third, behind Namath and Woodall.
His opportunity came when both QB ahead of him collected wounds, and took the team to a 9-7 victory over the Patriots, despite passing 1 by 7 when passing.
“He was a marginal field marshal in Arizona, and I ended up being in the right place at the right time with the jets,” he told the Observer disgust In an interview in 2012.
Deory is survived by his wife Barbara, two children, John Jr and Joe, two daughters, Kate and Andrea, and fourteen grandchildren between the ages of eight and 20.
After finishing his career at the NFL, he became an executive of Haggar Apparel Company for 16 years, before changing an economy instructor at several universities in Arizona, working for another 17 years until his retirement in 2016.
In the comments section of his online obituary, a tribute says: 'Bill was a true gentleman and very easy to speak. A very humble and kind man who certainly led a very full life.