Tag: Greg Larson

Ex-Giants center Greg Larson dead at 84

Former New York Giants center Greg Larson, who spent 13 seasons with the team, has reportedly passed away at the age of 84.

Former New York Giants center Greg Larson, who was voted to the Pro Bowl in 1968, has passed away at the age of 84.

Long-time Giants beat writer and MSG/WFAN host, Paul Dottino, revealed the unfortunate news on Thursday night.

Larson was selected by the Giants in the sixth round of the 1961 NFL draft. He was also selected in the 11th round of the AFL draft by the then-San Diego Chargers that same year.

After electing to play for the Giants, Larson would go on to spend his entire 13-year career with Big Blue before retiring on May 17, 1974.

At the time of his retirement, Larson had appeared in 179 games, which was second to only Joe Morrison (184) in team history. And while he missed just three games due to injury, Larson’s seven football-related operations ultimately did him in.

“If I hadn’t had surgery,” Larson, a team captain, told the New York Times. “I definitely wouldn’t have given retirement a thought and would have come back. But the leg wasn’t responding the way I would like, and I said last, year if I ever had another operation, that would be it.”

Four of Larson’s seven surgeries were on his knees — two on each side, all for torn ligaments.

“I just gutted it out for the season and did what could do,” Larson said, having suffered torn ligaments in the third game of the season.

Larson, who won a National Championship in 1960, was inducted into Minnesota University’s M Club Hall of Fame in 2010.

Once a Giant, Always a Giant.

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8 best Giants not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

The New York Giants have many players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but here’s a look at the best eight who do not reside in Canton.

The New York Giants have scores of players who have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio but there are others that fans soul love to see bestowed with the honor.

Here are eight players who are either eligible or past their eligibility that I feel should have (and still may) been considered for the Hall.

Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Greg Larson, center (1961-73)

Larson played 13 seasons for the Giants with his career beginning in the final years of the Giants’ golden era of the 1950s and 60s. He would play in 179 games as a Giant and was a mainstay at center from 1963 until his retirement in 1973, missing just three games over that period.

Larson was widely unsung due to the Giants’ nosedive as a franchise under Allie Sherman in the 1960s, but he did manage to make the Pro Bowl in 1968.

I’m not quite sure if he is Hall of Fame-worthy, but I’m sure he’s as good, if not better, than some of the centers who have been enshrined in Canton.

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