Forrest Blue facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Forrest Blue

Blue c. 1975
No. 75, 50
Position:	Center
Personal information
Born:	(1945-09-07)September 7, 1945 Marfa, Texas, U.S.
Died:	July 16, 2011(2011-07-16) (aged 65) Carmichael, California, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:	261 lb (118 kg)
Career information
High school:	Chamberlain (Tampa, Florida)
College:	Auburn (1965–1967)
NFL Draft:	1968 / Round: 1 / Pick: 15
Career history
San Francisco 49ers (1968) Baltimore Colts (1975)
Career highlights and awards
3× First-team All-Pro (1971–1973) 4× Pro Bowl (1971–1974) Second-team All-SEC (1965) Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Tampa Sports Hall of Fame
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 148 Games started: 82 Fumble recoveries: 5
Player stats at PFR

Forrest Murrell Blue Jr. (born September 7, 1945 – died July 16, 2011) was an American football player. He played as a center for eleven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Forrest played for the San Francisco 49ers from 1968 to 1974. He then joined the Baltimore Colts from 1975 to 1978.

Early Life and High School

Forrest Blue was born in Marfa, Texas on September 7, 1945. His family later moved to Tampa, Florida. There, his father, a United States Army captain, retired. Forrest went to George D. Chamberlain High School and graduated in 1963. He was a very good student and joined the National Honor Society.

He was also a talented athlete. Forrest played on the varsity teams for football, baseball, track, and basketball. In 1961, his football team won the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class AA championship. Later, in 1993, he was added to the Tampa Sports Hall of Fame. In 1999, the St. Petersburg Times newspaper called him the sixth-best football player ever from Hillsborough County, Florida.

College Football Career

Forrest Blue played college football for the Auburn Tigers. He was a letterman for three years, from 1965 to 1967. His coach at Auburn was Ralph Jordan.

After college, Forrest played in the Chicago College All-Star Game. This was a special game where college stars played against a professional NFL team. On August 2, 1968, his College All-Stars team played against the Green Bay Packers. The Packers won the game 34–17. In May 2013, after he passed away, Forrest was honored. He was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

Playing in the NFL

The San Francisco 49ers picked Forrest Blue in the 1968 NFL draft. He was the 15th player chosen overall. Forrest helped the 49ers win their division three years in a row. He was also named to the All-Pro team three times, which means he was one of the best players in his position. He also played in the Pro Bowl four times.

Later Years

Forrest Blue passed away on July 16, 2011. He was 65 years old.