Former Detroit Lions defensive tackle Herb Orvis has passed away at age 73. Orvis, a Flint-area native, died from Parkinson’s disease.
Orvis was Detroit’s first-round pick in the 1972 NFL Draft after a stellar college career at Colorado. He played for the Lions from 1972 through 1977 before moving on to the Baltimore Colts. His best season was in 1975, when the speedy Orvis earned second-team All-NFC honors in the era before sacks were an official statistic.
He was inducted into the Greater Flint Area Sports Hall of Fame last year. Per MLive, Orvis had arranged prior to his passing to have his brain donated for CTE research after being moved by watching the film, “Concussion”.
Our sympathies are with those who knew and loved Orvis. May he rest in peace.