Greg Landry, the former Detroit Lions quarterback and assistant coach, passed away on October 4, 2024 at 77. His passing marks the end of a celebrated football career spanning nearly two decades as a player and a coach.
Landry first rose to prominence as a standout quarterback at the University of Massachusetts (UMass), where he was known for his impressive arm and running ability. During his college years, he set a school record with a 145.4 quarterback efficiency rating in 1965 and led UMass to two Yankee Conference Championships. The UMass Athletics Department noted on its tribute page that he was the team’s top rusher and scorer in 1965 and 1967.
The Detroit Lions selected Landry as the 11th overall pick in the 1968 NFL Draft, where he quickly made his mark. He spent the majority of his career with the Lions, starting for them from 1968 to 1978. Landry was named to the Pro Bowl in 1971 when he threw for 2,237 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was also known for his rushing prowess, amassing over 2,600 yards and scoring 21 rushing touchdowns throughout his NFL career.
After a trade in 1979, Landry played three seasons with the Baltimore Colts. His career extended into the United States Football League (USFL) with stints at the Chicago Blitz and Arizona Wranglers. He retired after a single emergency game for the Chicago Bears in 1984, ending his playing career with 16,052 passing yards, 98 touchdowns, and 103 interceptions.
“We join the NFL community in mourning the loss of former Lions quarterback and coach Greg Landry,” the Lions shared on social media.
After retiring as a player, Landry shifted to coaching, working with several NFL teams, including the Lions, Bears, and Browns, and spending time as an offensive coordinator at the University of Illinois. Known for his dedication to the sport, he became an influential figure on and off the field, coaching some of the league’s top players until his final coaching position with the Lions in the mid-1990s.
Landry’s legacy extends beyond his statistics. In 2012, he was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame, cementing his place among football’s memorable figures. Landry is remembered as an accomplished athlete and a respected mentor who left a lasting impact on those he coached.