Gino Marchetti, the Pro Football Hall of Famer and rugged former Baltimore Colts defensive end, has passed away at the age of 93.
Although a cause of death has not been specified, the legendary pass rusher was with his wife of 41 years when he died at Paoli Hospital in Paoli, Pennsylvania on Tuesday.
'I kissed him and he knew me and smiled,' Joan Marchetti told the Baltimore Sun. 'That was Gino's way of saying goodbye.'
The 6foot4 Gino Marchetti was named to 11 Pro Bowls and helped guide the Colts to back-to-back titles in 1958 and 1959. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1972
Marchetti (second from left) pictured with former teammates Jim Mutscheller (far left), Lenny Moore (center left) and Raymond Berry (second from the right) as well as former New York Giants Frank Gifford (center right) and Pat Summerall in 2008
Born the son of an immigrant coal miner in Kayford, West Virginia in 1927, Marchetti grew up in the depression, served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and even fought in the Battle of the Bulge as a machine gunner.
As he would later explain, Marchetti learned 'discipline' and found his 'direction' in the Army.
'After going through combat and all that, the first thing I did when I got home is I went to church,' he told ESPN in 2009. 'I really started to live a different life. I wasn't as wild. I was so happy to be home, and felt so good about what I had done. A lot of guys had done it. It made me feel proud, and that stayed with me. It still stays with me.'
The Army also provided Marchetti with a future, thanks to the GI Bill.
Upon returning to the United States from Germany, Marchetti attended the University of San Francisco with tuition provided from the landmark legislation.
Coach Don Shula and defensive lineman Gino Marchetti #89 of the Baltimore Colts stand on the sidelines during a game on October 18, 1964 against the Green Bay Packers
Jim Taylor (No. 31) of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball as Gino Marchetti (No. 89) tries to run him down during a game on October 18, 1964 at Memorial
