DETROIT, Michigan The former quarterback and assistant coach for the Detroit Lions, Greg Landry, passed away. He was seventy-seven.
Landry’s passing was disclosed by the Lions on social media on Friday. The reason of death was not stated.
The team posted on social media, stating, “We join the NFL community in grieving the loss of former Lions quarterback and coach Greg Landry.”
From 1968 until 1981, Landry was an NFL player for the Lions and the Baltimore Colts. He returned to the NFL and appeared in one game with the Chicago Bears following two seasons in the USFL. During his NFL career, he passed for 16,052 yards, 98 touchdowns, and 103 interceptions. In addition, he was among the NFL’s greatest rushing quarterbacks, amassing over 2,600 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Massachusetts native Landry was chosen by the Lions with the eleventh overall choice in the 1968 NFL Draft. He spent 11 seasons as a player for the Lions and finished his career with Detroit with a 40-41-3 record. In 1971, he had his best season as a Detroit Lion, throwing for 2,237 yards and 16 touchdowns, making the first team All-Pro and earning his first Pro Bowl berth.
In 1976, he passed for 2,191 yards and 17 touchdown passes, good for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year title.
After being traded to Baltimore, Landry spent three seasons (3-10-1) with the Colts. After that, he relocated to the USFL, where he spent one season each with the Arizona Wranglers (1984) and the Chicago Blitz (1983). In 1984, he started for the Bears as an emergency against the Detroit Lions.
In 1995, Landry returned to the Lions as head coach Wayne Fontes’s quarterbacks coach. In addition, Landry worked as an assistant coach at the collegiate level at Illinois and in the NFL with Cleveland and Chicago.
Landry, a native of Nashua, New Hampshire, was the team’s best rusher and scorer in 1965 and 1967 and led UMass in passing for three seasons. In 1980, he was admitted to the UMass Hall of Fame.
Greg Landry is one of the most notable figures in the history of the Detroit Lions, both as a quarterback and as a coach. Here’s a look at his journey with the team:
Greg Landry as a Quarterback (1968-1978)
Greg Landry was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the first round (11th overall) of the 1968 NFL Draft out of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He became the Lions’ starting quarterback for most of the 1970s. Known for his mobility as well as his strong arm, Landry was one of the early examples of a dual-threat quarterback in the NFL.
Key Highlights:
- Pro Bowl Season (1971): Landry’s standout year came in 1971 when he was named to the Pro Bowl. That year, he led the Lions to a 7-4-2 record while throwing for 2,237 yards and rushing for an impressive 530 yards.
- Versatile Skill Set: Landry was known for being a capable runner, often using his athleticism to make plays outside the pocket. His 530 rushing yards in 1971 stood as an NFL record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season until broken by Bobby Douglass in 1972.
- Consistency: Over his 11 seasons with the Lions, Landry threw for over 12,000 yards and 80 touchdowns. Despite never winning a Super Bowl, he became one of the team’s most reliable and consistent offensive leaders.
Greg Landry as a Coach
After retiring from playing in 1984 (he had stints with the Baltimore Colts and the Chicago Bears after his time in Detroit), Landry transitioned into coaching. He rejoined the Detroit Lions in 1991 as their quarterbacks coach.
Coaching Highlights:
- Mentoring Era: As a coach, Landry helped guide Lions quarterbacks through several years, including the era when Rodney Peete and Erik Kramer were under center. His experience as a former Lions quarterback gave him unique insight into the game and helped in shaping young talent.
- Further Coaching Career: After his time with the Lions, Landry also held coaching roles with other NFL teams, including the Cleveland Browns, and spent time in the World League of American Football (WLAF).
Legacy with the Lions
Greg Landry is remembered as one of the greats in Lions history. His tenure as a player and later as a coach helped cement his legacy with the team, and he remains a respected figure among Detroit fans. His versatility and leadership as a quarterback and his contribution as a coach continue to resonate in the Lions’ franchise history.
