Jerry Stovall, a revered figure in the world of American football, passed away at 85 as confirmed by multiple sources on Monday, August 31. While details regarding the cause of his death have not been disclosed, his contributions to football remain significant.
Born on April 30, 1941, in West Monroe, Louisiana, Stovall’s journey in football began at West Monroe High School. Despite the school’s young age, he became its first All-State player. His skills and talent led him to Louisiana State University (LSU), where he emerged as one of the most adaptable players from 1960 to 1962. He excelled as a halfback, receiver, punter, returner, and defensive back. His achievements included being named a first-team All-SEC selection twice and earning the title of the conference’s most valuable player in 1962. That year, he gained unanimous All-American honors and was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, losing to Oregon State’s Terry Baker. Stovall’s career statistics boast over 1,000 rushing yards, 13 rushing touchdowns, 452 receiving yards, and seven interceptions. LSU honored him by retiring his No. 21 jersey.
The St. Louis Cardinals drafted Stovall in the first round of the 1963 NFL Draft. During his nine-season stint with the Cardinals from 1963 to 1971, he primarily played in the defensive backfield, contributing as a punter and special teams player. His professional accomplishments include three Pro Bowl selections and earning All-Pro accolades.
Stovall’s career continued at LSU, where he served as an assistant coach under Charles McClendon. In 1980, following the tragic plane crash death of newly appointed coach Bo Rein, Stovall ascended to the position of head coach. He led the LSU Tigers for four seasons, achieving a record of 22-21-2. The team’s pinnacle under Stovall occurred in 1982, with an 8-3-1 record, a berth in the Orange Bowl, and Stovall received national coach-of-the-year honors.
After his coaching tenure ended following a winless conference season in 1983, Stovall transitioned to athletics administration. He served as the director of athletics at Louisiana Tech and later guided the Baton Rouge Area Sports Foundation.
His accomplishments in football earned him a spot in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1981 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010. Stovall’s legacy is that of not only a coach but also one of LSU’s most distinguished players, noted for his ability to take on various roles within the sport.