Pat Fischer, an All-Pro cornerback who was chosen three times for the Pro Bowl during his 17-year NFL career with St. Louis and Washington, has died. He was 84.
A Washington Commanders spokesperson said Tuesday the family informed the team of Fischer’s death. A cause of death was not immediately available.
Fischer played in the league from 1961-77, was first-team All-Pro in 1964 and was picked for the Pro Bowl in ‘64, ’65 and '69. His spent his first seven years with the St. Louis Cardinals and his final 10 with Washington, making 57 interceptions in 220 regular-season and playoff games.
Before that, he played safety, tailback and quarterback at Nebraska, roughly a two-hour drive from where he grew up in St. Edward closer to the center of the state. A 17th-round pick of the Cardinals out of college, 232nd overall, Fischer is one of the players in Washington's ring of fame.
Commanders coach Dan Quinn opened his news conference Wednesday by talking about Fischer, an undersized defensive back at 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds who lasted longer than his draft status would have suggested.
“That is a true competitor and a ballhawk,” Quinn said. “If you ever want to talk about competing and what it would probably look like, a pretty amazing career.”
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FILE - Pat Fischer, corner back for the Washington Redskins, 1970. (AP Photo, File)
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Blaring trumpets and joyful voices resounded in a New Orleans neighborhood this week as about 100 people marched in honor of John “Prince” Gilbert, a key member of innovative brass bands that have become an important part of the city's music scene over the past several decades.
Gilbert, who died last weekend, played the saxophone for Rebirth Brass Band, which has been a favorite in New Orleans since the 1980s. The band is known for preserving and growing the brass band heritage, combining genres including funk, soul and jazz to create their own sound. He also was part of the New Birth Brass Band.
He taught, and recorded with, his son Orlando, who organized Monday evening's second line parade — so called because observers traditionally fall in behind the band and marchers to form a second parade line.
“He’s one of the innovators of New Orleans music, and he’s left an indelible mark on New Orleans culture and is and will always be a part of the history of New Orleans culture,” Orlando said of his father's career.
“My father’s playing was the bedrock of my own musicianship,” he added.
This undated family photo released by Orlando Gilbert shows Orlando with his father John "Prince" Gilbert in younger days. (Orlando Gilbert via AP)
Orlando Prince, a rising jazz musician and son of John "Prince" Gilbert, plays and marches in an emotional second line parade, as a sendoff for his father who recently died, in the Treme section of New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Musicians and friends form a second line parade organized by Orlando Prince, a rising jazz musician, for his father John "Prince" Gilbert, as a sendoff for his father who recently died, in the Treme section of New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Orlando Prince, center, a rising jazz musician and son of John "Prince" Gilbert, plays and marches in an emotional second line parade, as a sendoff for his father who recently died, in the Treme section of New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Musicians and friends form a second line parade organized by Orlando Prince, a rising jazz musician, for his father John "Prince" Gilbert, as a sendoff for his father who recently died, in the Treme section of New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Orlando Prince, a rising jazz musician and son of John "Prince" Gilbert, plays and marches in an emotional second line parade, as a sendoff for his father who recently died, in the Treme section of New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Musicians and friends form a second line parade organized by Orlando Prince, a rising jazz musician, for his father John "Prince" Gilbert, as a sendoff for his father who recently died, in the Treme section of New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Musicians and friends form a second line parade organized by Orlando Prince, a rising jazz musician, for his father John "Prince" Gilbert, as a sendoff for his father who recently died, in the Treme section of New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. John "Prince " Gilbert was a founding member of the Rebirth Brass Band and a fixture in the New Orleans Jazz community for decades. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
This undated family photo released by Orlando Gilbert shows Orlando with his father John "Prince" Gilbert in younger days. (Orlando Gilbert via AP)
Orlando Prince, a rising jazz musician and son of John "Prince" Gilbert, plays and marches in an emotional second line parade, as a sendoff for his father who recently died, in the Treme section of New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. John "Prince " Gilbert was a founding member of the Rebirth Brass Band and a fixture in the New Orleans Jazz community for decades. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
This undated family photo released by Orlando Gilbert shows Orlando with his father John "Prince" Gilbert in younger days. (Orlando Gilbert via AP)
Orlando Prince, a rising jazz musician and son of John "Prince" Gilbert, plays and marches in an emotional second line parade, as a sendoff for his father who recently died, in the Treme section of New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. John "Prince " Gilbert was a founding member of the Rebirth Brass Band and a fixture in the New Orleans Jazz community for decades. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
