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Altoona native Edward Joseph "Ed" Flanagan, who once played an entire NFL season with a ruptured disk in his back, died Wednesday at UPMC Altoona, surrounded by his loving wife and children.
He was 79 years old. The cause of death was heart failure.
Flanagan began his football career as a running back under his father at Our Lady of Lourdes in the hallowed Parochial League. Because he lacked speed, Altoona High School head coach Earl Strohm and assistant coach Ron Rickens converted him to an offensive lineman.
Never a football prodigy, Flanagan did not become a starter in high school or college (Purdue) until his senior year. What he lacked in speed he made up for in Irish grit, determination and a high threshold for the pain of a collision sport.
Flanagan's NFL career began with a 10-year stay in Detroit with the Lions and a closing two years with the San Diego Chargers. In Motown, he spent five years as a player rep and team captain. In 1965, he was picked for the NFL all-rookie team. During his 12-year career, he was declared eligible for 168 games and played in 166. He played in four Pro Bowls and in 1970 was voted the consensus NFL offensive center.
Following his rookie season with the Lions, he returned to Purdue and completed his degree in physical education. During his time in Detroit, Flanagan was close with William Clay Ford Jr., the Lions owner.
Edward was born in San Bernardino, Calif. At that time, his father was a sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II. His mother, Anna (Lach) Flanagan, was a homemaker.
Flanagan inherited an athletic pedigree. His father was a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers taxi squad in 1939 and his uncle, Steve Lach, once held the Steelers season touchdown record.
After his playing days, Flanagan leaped into coaching. He coached for three years in the USFL with the Oakland Invaders. He also coached several teams in the Arena Football League.
In 2008, Flanagan was named to the Detroit Lions' all-75th anniversary team, and in 2016 he was inducted into The Gridiron Greats Hall of Fame.
He was inducted with the Blair County Sports Hall of Fame's inaugural class in 1987.
Flanagan is survived by his wife, Tina (Reed) Flanagan; and four children: Edward Flanagan of Scottsdale, Ariz., Meghan Flanagan of Big Fork, Mont., Daniel Flanagan of Joplin, Mo., and Ryan Knust of Joplin, Mo. He is also survived by four grandchildren.
His surviving siblings include Patricia (Francis) McCloskey of Altoona, Michael (Deborah) Flanagan of Hollidaysburg and Cathy (John) Cribari of Fresno, Calif.; and sister-in-law, Patricia Flanagan of Altoona.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Amy; a brother, Steve Flanagan; and niece, Christina Flanagan.
Flanagan was the quintessential family man. He showered his wife and children with love, and they reciprocated. He treated his nieces and nephews like they were his own children.
There are no plans for a viewing. Flanagan has donated his brain to the center for the study of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) at Boston University. His body will then be cremated.
Flanagan often recalled the agony of playing that 1971 season with the ruptured disk in his back. "There were times I lay on the ground and didn't think I could make it back to the huddle. But then tackles Rockne Freitas and Jim Yarbrough would lower their shoulders and lift me to my feet. I was team captain. I could not let my teammates down."