Rosey Grier facts for kids
Grier in 2008 at the Movieguide Faith
and Value Awards Gala |
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| No. 76 | |||||
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| Position: | Defensive tackle | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born: | July 14, 1932 Cuthbert, Georgia, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||
| Weight: | 284 lb (129 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school: | Abraham Clark (Roselle, New Jersey) |
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| College: | Penn State | ||||
| NFL Draft: | 1955 / Round: 3 / Pick: 31 | ||||
| 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 | |||||
Roosevelt "Rosey" Grier (born July 14, 1932) is a famous American who was a football player, actor, singer, and even a minister and motivational speaker. He played professionally as a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL).
Grier played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, where he was recognized as an All-American. He was also named one of the 100 most influential student athletes by the NCAA.
As a professional player for 12 seasons, Grier was a key member of the New York Giants and the famous "Fearsome Foursome" of the Los Angeles Rams. He played in the Pro Bowl twice, was selected All-Pro three times, and won the 1956 NFL championship with the Giants.
After his sports career, Grier worked as a bodyguard for Senator Robert Kennedy during his 1968 presidential campaign. Grier was protecting Ethel Kennedy, the Senator's wife, when Senator Kennedy was shot. Grier bravely helped take control of the gun and subdue the person responsible.
Rosey Grier also hosted his own TV show in Los Angeles and appeared as a guest on many other shows. He became an ordained Protestant minister in 1983 and started a nonprofit group called American Neighborhood Enterprises. This organization helps young people in cities. He also travels to give inspiring speeches.
Among Grier's interesting hobbies are crocheting, knitting, needlepoint, and macramé. In 1972, he even wrote a book about needlepoint for men. Rosey Grier is currently the longest living former NFL player.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Growing Up in Georgia
Rosey Grier was born on July 14, 1932, in Cuthbert, Georgia. He was one of twelve children in his family. He was named after the famous presidential candidate, Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
High School and College Years
Grier played football at Abraham Clark High School in Roselle, New Jersey. He graduated from high school in 1951.
He then attended Penn State University, where he was part of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. At Penn State, he played football and was named an All-American. He was also the captain of the track team. In track and field, he won events like the shot put and discus. He was also a Track & Field All-American in 1954 and 1955.
Professional Football Career
Playing for the New York Giants
After his successful college football career at Penn State University, Grier was chosen in the 1955 NFL draft. He was the 31st player picked overall, in the third round, by the New York Giants.
He played with the Giants from 1955 to 1962. During this time, his team won an NFL Championship in 1956. They also won five Eastern Conference titles. Grier was chosen for the Pro Bowl in 1956 and 1960. He was also named All-Pro as a defensive tackle several times.
Joining the Los Angeles Rams
After eight seasons with the New York Giants, Grier was traded in July 1963 to the Los Angeles Rams. There, he became part of the famous "Fearsome Foursome." This legendary defensive line also included Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen, and Lamar Lundy. Many people consider them one of the best defensive lines in football history.
Grier's football career ended in 1967 because of a serious injury to his Achilles tendon. Even though he was the oldest member of the Fearsome Foursome, he is the last one still living.
Life After Football
Television Appearances
After retiring from football, Rosey Grier hosted his own show called Rosey Grier Show on KABC-TV. This weekly show talked about community issues in Los Angeles.
He also appeared in many films and television shows. He was one of the first football stars to become a successful actor. He made about 70 guest appearances on TV. These included roles in shows like The Man from U.N.C.L.E., I Dream of Jeannie, Daniel Boone, and The White Shadow. In one episode of The White Shadow, he even wore his old No. 76 Los Angeles Rams jersey.
Grier also appeared on game shows like Match Game 74. He was in movies such as Skyjacked (1972) and The Thing with Two Heads (1972). He also appeared in popular TV shows like Sesame Street (1975), The Love Boat (1979), and The Simpsons (1999).
Working as a Bodyguard
Grier served as a bodyguard for his friend, United States senator and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy. In 1968, he was protecting Ethel Kennedy, the Senator's wife, in Los Angeles. When Senator Kennedy was shot, Grier and Olympic gold medalist Rafer Johnson rushed to help. Grier bravely jumped in and helped to take the gun from the person who fired it. He made sure no more violence happened.
Singing Career
Grier also had a singing career. He released his first songs in 1960. He continued to record music for about 25 years. His song "People Make the World," which was a tribute to Robert Kennedy, was his only song to appear on the music charts in 1968. He also sang "It's All Right to Cry" for the children's album and TV show Free to Be… You and Me.
Community Service and Ministry
Rosey Grier is a cofounder of American Neighborhood Enterprises. This group helps people in cities buy homes and get job training. Grier became a Protestant minister in 1983. The next year, he started his own nonprofit center for teenagers in inner cities. This center offers spiritual and educational programs to help young people.
He is also on the board of trustees for the Milken Family Foundation. He helps manage their community affairs programs.
Honors and Recognition
Rosey Grier has received many honors throughout his life. Penn State recognized him with the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1974 and the Alumni Fellow Award in 1991. The NCAA included him on their "List of the 100 Most Influential Student-Athletes." In 1997, he was inducted into the New Jersey Sports Hall of Fame. In 2017, he was also inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
Personal Life
Family
Grier has a daughter named Sherryl Brown-Tubbs from an earlier relationship. He married Beatrice Lewis in 1962 and adopted her daughter, Denise. They divorced in 1970.
In 1973, Grier married Margie Grier, and they had a son, Roosevelt Kennedy Grier, in 1972. They divorced in 1978 but remarried in 1981. They stayed married until Margie's death in 2011. On April 30, 2013, Grier married Cydnee Seyler, a school teacher from Wichita.
Grier's nephew, Mike Grier, also became a professional athlete. He played ice hockey in the NHL for 14 years. Mike Grier later became the first black general manager in the NHL with the San Jose Sharks.
Hobbies
Rosey Grier became well-known in the 1970s for his unique hobbies. He enjoyed needlepoint and macrame. In 1973, he even wrote a book titled Rosey Grier's Needlepoint for Men.
Images for kids
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Grier and comedian Don Rickles in a Kraft Music Hall skit, 1968
