Jerry Stovall, LSU football legend and former head coach, dies at 85

Jerry Stovall, a legendary LSU football player and former head coach, has died at the age of 85. His death was reported on August 31 in Baton Rouge.

Known as ‘Mr. Everything’ during his collegiate career from 1960 to 1962, Stovall was a unanimous All-American, the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, and the winner of the Walter Camp Memorial Trophy. He finished second in the 1962 Heisman Trophy voting. His versatile skills included playing halfback, defensive back, return specialist, and punter.

Following his college career, Stovall was selected No. 2 overall in the 1963 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. He played nine seasons in the NFL and earned three Pro Bowl selections.

Stovall returned to LSU to serve as an assistant coach before being named head coach in 1980 following the death of Bo Rein. He led the Tigers through 1983, including an 8-3-1 season in 1982 that resulted in an Orange Bowl appearance and the Walter Camp Coach of the Year award. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010, and LSU retired his No. 21 jersey in 2018.