Pro Football Hall exec Pete Elliott dies

Pete Elliott, the longest-tenured executive director in the Pro Football Hall of Fame's history, has died. He was 86.

Elliott served as the museum's director from 1979-1996 and continued as a member of the Hall's board of trustees in his retirement.

"Pete was beloved by the entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family, including the staff, board of trustees and the Hall of Fame members," President and Executive Director Steve Perry said. "He was a kind and thoughtful person and an inspiration to us all. We are all better for having had him in our lives."

Elliott, known for his affable personality, was an All-American quarterback at Michigan in the 1940s before a long career in coaching. He was enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994.



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Football legend Pete Elliott has died at the age of 86. The former All-American quarterback for the University of Michigan Wolverines was one of the greats, not only as a player in college, but as a coach as well.

Elliott coached at Nebraska, California, Illinois and Miami during his career and was the man in charge at Illinois the last time the Fighting Illini won a Rose Bowl game back in 1963.

"Pete was beloved by the entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family, including the staff, board of trustees and the Hall of Fame members,” President and Executive Director Steve Perry said. “He was a kind and thoughtful person and an inspiration to us all. We are all better for having had him in our lives.”

Elliott also carried the honor of being the longest-tenured Executive Director in the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s history. He served as the Director from 1979-1996.

Elliott was a man before his time when it came to dominating the college sports scene. He was the only athlete in Michigan history to earn 12 letters in varsity sports, including football, basketball and golf.

Pete was a legend at Michigan as he quarterbacked the Wolverines to back-to-back undefeated seasons in 1947 and 1948, when the Wolverines won the national championship.