Remembering Greg Larson: A Giant Offensive Lineman with a Lasting Legacy

Greg Larson, a former NFL offensive lineman who spent 13 seasons with the New York Giants and earned one Pro Bowl selection, passed away last month at the age of 84.

Greg Larson, a former NFL offensive lineman who spent 13 seasons with the New York Giants and earned one Pro Bowl selection, has passed away at the age of 84.

Larson died at a Minnesota senior living home with his wife of 63 years, Joey, by his side on June 20. The cause of death was not revealed.

Remembering Greg Larson: A Giant Offensive Lineman with a Lasting Legacy

Remembering Greg Larson: A Giant Offensive Lineman with a Lasting Legacy

A standout offensive lineman for the Minnesota Golden Gophers in college, Larson was part of their 1960 national championship team. He entered the draft in 1961 and was a sixth-round pick of the Giants. He was also chosen in the 11th round by the San Diego Chargers in the AFL Draft but chose to go the NFL route.

Larson played tackle, guard, and center with the Giants. He had most of his success as a center and earned a Pro Bowl selection in the 1968 season. He snapped the ball to the great Fran Tarkenton and blocked for Tucker Frederickson, Bobby Duhon, and Ernie Koy.

Remembering Greg Larson: A Giant Offensive Lineman with a Lasting Legacy

Remembering Greg Larson: A Giant Offensive Lineman with a Lasting Legacy

Larson did not necessarily want to retire when he did in 1974, but his body's response to knee surgery and his decision to open up a sporting goods store in Minnesota led to his decision.

"If I hadn't had surgery," he told The New York Times in 1974, "I definitely wouldn't have given retirement a thought and would have come back. But the leg wasn't responding the way I would like, and I said last year if I ever had another operation, that would be it."

He was also on the Giants teams that made it to the NFL Championship from 1961 to 1963. The team lost to the Green Bay Packers twice and the Chicago Bears the last time.

The New York Post noted that Larson was named as one of the top 100 Giants players of all time after playing 179 games for them during his career.

"He was our leader, our captain, one of the most popular players that we had," Giants president John Mara said at the 100th-anniversary event last month, according to the paper. "Just a great all-around individual. He really epitomized what it meant to be a Giant in that era."

Larson's legacy as a Giant will live on for generations to come. He was a key member of some of the team's most successful teams, and he was a beloved figure by both his teammates and the fans. He will be deeply missed.