LSU Football Legend & Former Head Coach Jerry Stovall Has Died

By Staff ReporterAug 31, 20261:28 pmDiscuss the story21
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Former LSU All-American and head football coach Jerry Stovall has passed away. He was 85.

Stovall, a West Monroe, Louisiana native, was one of the most accomplished players in LSU football history and spent decades representing the Tigers both on and off the field.

Nicknamed "Mr. Everything," Stovall starred at halfback, defensive back, return specialist and punter for LSU from 1960-62. He was a unanimous All-American and SEC Player of the Year in 1962, finishing second in the Heisman Trophy voting that season.

Stovall was selected No. 2 overall by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1963 NFL Draft and went on to play nine seasons in the NFL, earning three Pro Bowl selections.

He later returned to Baton Rouge and served as LSU's head coach from 1980-83. Stovall was named the Walter Camp Coach of the Year in 1982 after leading the Tigers to an 8-3-1 record and an appearance in the Orange Bowl.

Stovall was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010, and LSU retired his No. 21 jersey in 2018.

One of the most respected figures in LSU Athletics history, Stovall leaves behind a legacy that spans generations of Tiger football.

21 Comments
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Ace Midnight8 days
RIP to a great tiger - one of the greatest.
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canyon8 days
RIP Mr. Jerry. You personified LSU and LSU football.
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Celebration of life Saturday night at Tiger Stadium at 6:30. Campus will be open all day.
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Aw man, great tiger and even better person.
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Jedi8 days
RIP - I was a kid when he coached and those games were some of my first memories of LSU.
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bengalman8 days
RIP to a great player and coach
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saturncube218 days
RIP
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jp4lsu8 days
Great Tiger. Forever Tiger.
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mikedatyger8 days
Bummer. I was fortunate enough to work in the recruiting department during Stovall's run. He was truly a nice man.
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R.I.P. Coach! The first time I met him in person was at the Orange Bowl when we came, so, so close to beating Nebraska. Thanks for the memories, specially "The Night it rained Oranges."
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bigtig8 days
He was a true class act and may he rest in peace. He also should have won the Heisman he got shafted on that with the West Coast and East Coast voting pretty much against anyone from the south
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Bill W Tiger8 days
Yes....some QB guy name Baker from Oregoin State won it I think!
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Koolazzkat8 days
A fond memory of Jerry Stovall:

25+\- years ago, he was with United Way giving a sales pitch to us. He introduced himself to the crowd then said, “Ask me anything you want, you can’t embarrass me…I’ve been fired on national television!” RIP Tiger.
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MasonTiger8 days
RIP to a Tiger legend.
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Bayoubred8 days
Great man and great all-time Tiger. Prayers for the family.
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CajunBullet8 days
RIP Mr. Stovall. You were a perfect example of a "Great LSU Tiger"!
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Bill W Tiger8 days
RIP...a true Tiger...he took the reins without hesitation when Bo Rein was killed!
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GasMan8 days
A good, good man.
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One of the best MEN ever.
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Pepe Lepew7 days
RIP

Definitely screwed out of the Heisman
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OU8128 days
The greatest player to ever play at West Monroe High School. RIP
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