Print this page

21. Brad Van Pelt

  •  
This page generously sponsored by: Nobody yet! Sponsor it on Patreon to be the first name on this list!
21. Brad Van Pelt

Brad Van Pelt was a two-time All-American at Michigan State, thus bringing a successful resume to the New York Giants who drafted him in the Second Round in 1973.

The Giants were not a great team in the 1970s, and Van Pelt was a bright spot for the team, bringing respectability to their corps of Linebackers.  The former Spartan had a five-year streak of Pro Bowls (1976-80), and as the Giants became better, he was an elder statesman of the "Crunch Bunch," the group of Linebackers comprising himself, Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson and Brian Kelley.

Van Pelt signed with the Raiders in 1984, and had 18 Interceptions for the Giants, an incredible number for a Linebacker.  New York inducted Van Pelt into their Ring of Honor in 2011.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Linebacker
  • Acquired: Selected in the 2nd Round, 40th Overall in the NFL Draft 1/30/73.
  • Departed: Signed with the Los Angeles Raiders before the 1984 Season.
  • Games Played: 141
  • Notable Statistics:

    135 Games Started
    18 Interceptions
    104 Interception Return Yards
    13 Fumble Recoveries
    116 Fumble Recovery Yards
    19.5 Quarterback Sacks*
    1 Reception
    20 Receiving Yards
    86 Approximate Value

    1 Playoff Game
    1.0 Quarterback Sack

    *Sacks were not a stat until the 1982 season but were unofficially calculated by Pro Football Reference from 1960 to 1981.
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    Pro Bowl (1976, 1977, 1978, 1979 & 1980)
Last modified on Sunday, 18 September 2022 17:31
Tagged under

Comments powered by CComment