Chuck Hughes facts for kids
Hughes c. 1971
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| No. 13, 85 | |||||
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| Position: | Wide receiver | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born: | March 2, 1943 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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| Died: | October 24, 1971 (aged 28) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
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| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||
| Weight: | 173 lb (78 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school: | Abilene (Abilene, Texas) |
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| College: | Texas Western (1964–1966) | ||||
| NFL Draft: | 1967 / Round: 4 / Pick: 99 | ||||
| Career history | |||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||
Charles Frederick Hughes (born March 2, 1943 – died October 24, 1971) was an American football player. He was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). Hughes played for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Detroit Lions from 1967 to 1971. He is remembered for being the only NFL player to die on the field during a game.
Early Life and Growing Up
Chuck Hughes was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When he was young, his family moved to Texas. He grew up with his 12 brothers and sisters. Hughes went to Abilene High School in Abilene. He was also a very good golfer. He even played with famous golfers like Chi Chi Rodriguez and Lee Trevino.
College Football Star
Hughes played college football for the Texas Western Miners. He was an amazing player there. His name is still in the team's record books for many achievements:
- He gained the most all-purpose yards (total yards from running, catching, and returning kicks) in one game. He got 401 yards in 1965 against North Texas State.
- He also holds the record for the most yards per catch in a single game. He averaged 34.9 yards per reception in 1965, which is also an NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) record.
- In one game in 1965, he caught 17 passes, which was the most receptions in a single game.
- He was second in all-purpose yards for a season in 1966 with 2044 yards.
- He was first in all-purpose yards per game for a season in 1965, with 204 yards per game.
- For his entire college career, he was second in all-purpose yards per game with 132.
- He is fifth all-time in total all-purpose yards with 3,989.
- He is second in career receiving touchdowns with 19 and receiving yards with 2,882.
Because of his great achievements, Chuck Hughes was added to the UTEP Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006.
Playing in the NFL
The Philadelphia Eagles picked Chuck Hughes in the fourth round of the 1967 NFL/AFL draft. He played three seasons with the Eagles. Before the 1970 season, he was traded to the Detroit Lions. Even though he was a wide receiver, he mostly played on special teams. He was a backup wide receiver. In his five years in the NFL, he caught 15 passes.
A Tragic Day
In August 1971, Chuck Hughes got hurt in a preseason game. He collapsed in the locker room and went to the hospital. Doctors couldn't figure out exactly what was wrong, but they let him go home. He never fully recovered and felt pain, but he kept playing football. He said the pain wasn't "that bad."
On October 24, 1971, the Lions were playing the Chicago Bears. The game was at Tiger Stadium in Detroit. Late in the game, the Lions were trying to score. Hughes caught a pass for 32 yards. A few plays later, he was running back to his team's huddle. Suddenly, he fell to the ground, holding his chest.
Other players, including Bears linebacker Dick Butkus, quickly saw that Hughes needed help. Doctors and trainers from both teams rushed to him. An ambulance took him to the hospital, but sadly, Chuck Hughes passed away that afternoon. He was 28 years old. The game finished, and the players learned the sad news after it ended.
Later, doctors found out that Chuck Hughes had an undiagnosed heart condition. His family also had a history of heart problems. His death was caused by a sudden blockage that stopped blood flow to his heart.
Chuck Hughes was buried in San Antonio, Texas. All 40 of his Lions teammates and his coach, Joe Schmidt, went to his funeral. He left behind his wife, Sharon Leah, and his young son, Brandon Shane.
See Also
- List of American football players who died during their career
- List of sportspeople who died during their career
- Damar Hamlin, the only other player known to have suffered an in-game cardiac arrest
