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Former Redskins LB Kaufman passes away at age 50
Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 9:33 pm
by andyjens89
Kaufman, member of three Redskins Super Bowl teams, dead at 50
NFL.com Wire Reports
Mel Kaufman, a starter on three Washington Redskins Super Bowl teams in the 1980s, has died at the age of 50 in San Luis Obispo, Calif. ABC's Washington D.C. affiliate, WJLA, first reported the news Monday.
Kaufman played linebacker for the Redskins from 1981 to 1988 and also was a team captain.
After ending his playing career, Kaufman stayed with the Redskins as a scouting supervisor. He also remained active with many Washington D.C.-area charities.
"Mel was a tremendous football player, as well as a fine talent evaluator," Redskins owner Daniel Snyder said in a statement released by the team. "His work on the field as a player and as a coach, and as well as his commitment to so many charities, were testament to how much he loved the game and the fans who cheered for him. Our prayers go out to his family during this sad time."
Kaufman had been an assistant coach at his alma mater, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, since last spring. His biography described him as "one of the best linebackers to ever play at Cal Poly".
"It¹s a tragedy. He was a good man and a compassionate man," former Cal Poly head coach Rich Ellerson, who took the job at Army in December, said in a statement. "I pray that the stress of the coaching business wasn't a contributing factor. He was just a good guy, a passionate guy, a Mustang."
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80ea98f1&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true
RIP Mel
Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 10:22 pm
by Countertrey
Very sad news...
Big loss for football... tough son of a gun... selfless and underated as a player. He helped make Pettibon's defenses work.
Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 10:36 pm
by Jake
Wow, that's sad. RIP Mel.
Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 11:03 pm
by redskindave
Very sad news, RIP Mel
Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 12:10 am
by redskins14ru
ah godbless his family may he rest in piece
Mel
Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 4:35 am
by BadgerKing
Mel was staring when I began my journey following the Skins. So sad to hear this, my thoughts are with his family and our tribe
Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 8:23 am
by Deadskins
50's young. What was the cause of death?
Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 8:32 am
by VetSkinsFan
Wow, so young. Such a tragedy. Best wishes to his family.
Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 10:34 am
by SkinsFreak
Deadskins wrote:50's young. What was the cause of death?
I've been looking around and so far the death is "undetermined". I guess the autopsy will get us some details. Very sad, 50 years of age is far too young.
Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 3:06 pm
by welch
Fine player, a smart leader, one of those Pardee/Petibon/Gibbs linebackers that never got credit but always won the games. A model of the '80s Redskins.
Sad.
Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 4:42 pm
by Skinna Mob
R.I.P. Mel Kaufman
And may God bless your family.
Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 5:10 pm
by gibbsfan
a true redskin and one solid LB and he did us his fans proud...
RIP mel..prayers go out to hs family and friends..
Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 5:15 pm
by Irn-Bru
Just read today that the expected life-span of an NFL player is 55 years.
Very sad news. Rest in peace, Kaufman.
Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 1:25 am
by HEROHAMO
Rest in peace big guy.
You are a true Redskin forever.