Ed Flanagan

Edward Joseph Flanagan (February 23, 1944 – May 10, 2023) was an American professional football player who was a center in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers, before playing in the NFL for the Detroit Lions from 1965 to 1974 and for the San Diego Chargers from 1975 to 1976. Flanagan was selected to four Pro Bowls. After his playing career, he was a football coach.

Early life Flanagan was born on February 23, 1944, in San Bernardino, California. When inducted into the Blair County Sports Hall of Fame in 1987, Flanagan noted that he had not been a star player in high school and was not a starter until his senior year. During his sophomore and junior years, he played center on offense and linebacker on defense. He also played in the Blue-Gray Game and the Senior Bowl after his senior year.

Flanagan developed a rivalry with Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus, and recalled Butkus as his "greatest challenge".

In May 1975, Flanagan signed with the San Diego Chargers. At the time, he said he was "happy to be back home in my native state", but emphasized that he had been treated well by the Lions and was leaving under "happy circumstances". He was the Chargers' starting center in 1975 and 1976, starting in 25 of the 26 games he played.

In July 1977, Flanagan was traded by the Chargers to the Los Angeles Rams. However, he was released on waivers by the Rams in early September 1977 prior to the start of the regular season.

Coaching career In 1984, Flanagan was hired as the offensive line coach for the Oakland Invaders of the United States Football League. In 1985, he was hired as the line coach for the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League. As of 2013, he was an assistant coach with the Cedar Rapids Titans of the Indoor Football League.

Personal life Flanagan had four children; Edward, Meghan, Ryan and Dan. He was married to his wife Tina for 32 years and had one child (Dan Flanagan).

Flanagan was hospitalized in Altoona with heart problems on May 8, 2023, and died on May 10, aged 79.