Pete Elliot died on Fri., Jan. 5, 2013 following a short illness. Elliott himself was a widow who lost his wife after nearly six decades of marriage. Together they had two children and four grandchildren.
Elliot had a long career in football beginning in the 1940s when he played for the Michigan Wolverines as a quarterback. He was also the head football coach at Illinois from 1960-66, but he also held the role of head football coach at University of Nebraska–Lincoln (1956), the University of California, Berkeley (1957–1959), the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1960–1966), and the University of Miami (1973-1974).
The Pro Football Hall of Fame former director was 86; he served in that role from 1979-1996, longer than anyone else who held that role.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame bills itself as "America's Premier Sports Museum & Showplace." An article on the organization's website reported, "Pete was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years Joan. He is survived by two sons and daughters-in- law, Bruce and Cheryl Elliott of Ann Arbor, Mich. and David and Peggy Elliott of Boardman, Ohio; and four granddaughters, Catherine Elliott, Jennifer Elliott, Christina (Janson) Jacobsen and Courtney Elliott. Funeral arrangements are pending."
According to FOX News, President and Executive Director Steve Perry issued a statement regarding the death of Pete Elliot that read:
"Pete was beloved by the entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family, including the staff, board of trustees and the Hall of Fame members. He was a kind and thoughtful person and an inspiration to us all. We are all better for having had him in our lives."
Pete Elliot, dead at the age of 86. May he rest in peace.
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