Oregon legend and NFL Hall of Famer passes away at age 80
Dave Wilcox may be the only person to go from Ontario, Oregon to Canton, Ohio.
The Oregon Duck football legend and NFL Hall of Fame linebacker passed away on Wednesday at the age of 80. He was the father of former Duck tight end Josh Wilcox and safety Justin Wilcox, who is also the current head coach at California.
Born Sept. 29, 1942 in Ontario, Ore., Wilcox earned nine varsity letters in high school, three each in football, baseball and basketball, and was a two-way end for Vale Union High School on two state championship football teams.
His college career began at Boise Junior College (now Boise State), where he was named to the NJCAA All-America Team and was credited with blocking eight kicks in one season. He then came to Oregon, where he was a teammate of Hall of Famer Mel Renfro, and went on to become one of the best linebackers in Oregon history.
He was able to turn an 11-year career in the Bay Area with the San Francisco 49ers into a legendary career. Wilcox was a seven-time Pro Bowler and was enshrined into the Hall of Fame in 2000 after becoming someone who many consider among the best linebackers in 49ers franchise history.
Wilcox was enshrined in the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1993.
“While Dave Wilcox was nicknamed ‘The Intimidator’ for his aggressive style of play, he was a kind, humble and gracious man in all other aspects of life,” Pro Football Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said in a statement. “He transformed the outside linebacker position, one of the many feats that earned him a forever home in Canton.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Dave’s wife, Merle, and their entire family. We will preserve his legacy for generations to come.”
