Mike Curtis, inaugural Seattle Seahawk, passes away at age 77

Former Baltimore Colts linebacker Mike Curtis, who was a member of Seattle’s first NFL team in 1976, passed away on Monday at age 77.

Longtime NFL linebacker Mike Curtis, who played for the Seattle Seahawks in 1976, passed away on Monday morning. He was 77 years old.

Curtis spent the vast majority of his career with the Baltimore Colts, getting selected 14th overall in the 1965 NFL draft out of Duke University.

He went on to play 11 seasons with the Colts, serving as their middle linebacker and making four Pro Bowls while being named an All-Pro twice.

Perhaps his most famous moment was in 1971 when he laid out a fan on the field during a Dolphins game. He also recorded an interception in the closing minutes of Super Bowl V, which set Baltimore up to kick the game-winning field goal.

Curtis joined Seattle’s team in expansion in 1976, starting 14 games for them and recording a pair of interceptions. He then spent two more years in Washington before hanging up his cleats at age 35.

Curtis never made the Hall of Fame, although he could still find his way into Canton posthumously after a stellar NFL career.

We wish his family the best after his passing.

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