Former Spartan Herb Adderley passes away at 81

A former Michigan State Spartan passed away early Friday morning. Herb Adderley, who attended MSU from 1957-1960, was 81 years old.

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A former Michigan State Spartan passed away early Friday morning. Herb Adderley, who attended MSU from 1957-1960, was 81 years old. He played under legendary head coach Duffy Daugherty and played primarily as a running back. He led the team in rushing yards as a junior in 1959 and pass receptions in 1959 and 1960. Adderley was co-captain in 1960 of the team as a senior, and made the All-Big Ten Conference team and played in the East-West Shrine Game, the Coaches’ All-American, and the College All-Star game.  He made the All-MSU team in 1970.

Adderley ran for 807 yards on 198 carries, had 519 receiving yards on 28 catches, and eight total touchdowns over the course of his collegiate career. This led to him getting drafted 12th overall in the 1961 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. He started as a running back, but transitioned to cornerback due to the firepower at running back already.

His career lasted 12 seasons across two teams: nine seasons with the Packers and three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.  He enjoyed a fruitful NFL career where he won three Super Bowls, six NFL Championships, was a five time Pro Bowler, four time First-team All-Pro, and made the NFL’s 1960s All-Decade Team.

He had nice stats to back up his impressive resume as he had 48 interceptions, 1,046 interception return yards and seven interception touchdowns. He also had 14 fumble recoveries for 65 yards and returned 120 kickoffs for 3,080 yards and two touchdowns. He had a career worthy enough to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame as he was inducted in 1980.

Rest in Peace Herb Adderley.

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