FOOTBALL

Former Tennessee All-American Mickey Marvin dies at 61

Rhiannon Potkey

USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

Former Tennessee offensive lineman Mickey Marvin was a second-team All-American in 1975. Marvin died on Feb. 6 after a long battle with ALS. He was 61.

Former Tennessee All-American and two-time Super Bowl champion Mickey Marvin died Monday morning after a long battle with ALS. He was 61.

Mr. Marvin was an offensive guard at UT from 1973-76. He earned UPI second-team All-America honors in 1975 and first-team All-SEC honors from 1974-76. Mr. Marvin played on UT's 1974 Liberty Bowl championship team and played in the East-West Shrine Game in 1977.

"Mickey Marvin was a friend to all. In a day where most pro athletes aren't who you want your kids to look up to, Mickey was," Richard Rhodes, sports director at WHKP radio in Marvin's hometown of Hendersonville, N.C., told the Hendersonville Times-News. "He was a true role model and a true friend."

Mr. Marvin was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round with the 112th pick overall of the 1977 NFL draft. He spent 11 years with the Raiders, playing in 120 games and making 108 starts. Mr. Marvin started at right guard on the Super Bowl XV and Super Bowl XVIII teams and continued working as a scout for the organization after being cut.

Former UT All-American Mickey Marvin played 11 seasons with the Oakland Raiders, starting for two Super Bowl championship teams.

Mr. Marvin starred at both Brevard High School and West Henderson High School in Hendersonville.

Mr. Marvin was honored with a scholarship named in his honor last year by the Henderson County Education Foundation. The scholarship is based on need, a positive attitude and sports participation.

"The support from everybody has been outstanding," his son, Jonathan Marvin, who starred at West Henderson before playing at the University of Florida, told the Hendersonville Lightning last July. "It means so much to myself, my mom, my sister, to dad. This has blossomed into something great. To be able to reach out to four schools, four different athletes every year is going to be a great legacy to leave."

Forest Lawn Funeral Home in Hendersonville is handling the arrangements. A funeral date and time have not been announced yet.

WHKP in Hendersonville is planning a tribute to Mr. Marvin called "Memories of Mickey." It will air from 9-10 a.m. Friday on 1450 AM and 107.7 FM.