Vince Promuto

Vincent Louis Promuto (June 8, 1938 – June 1, 2021) was an American professional football player who was a guard for the Washington Redskins (now Washington Commanders) in the National Football League (NFL). He was later a Drug Enforcement Administration official.

Early life and college Promuto was born on June 8, 1938, in New York City, and grew up in the Pelham Bay section of The Bronx. He was a tough kid who was in a neighborhood gang in the 1950s.

Promuto did not begin to play football until he was a high school junior at Mount St. Michael Academy. Donovan's and Promuto's NFL careers overlapped in 1960-1961, when Donovan was still a defensive tackle for the Baltimore Colts and Promuto an offensive lineman for Washington. Their teams met on September 25,1960 and November 26, 1961.

He played college football at the College of the Holy Cross. He was a starter from his sophomore through senior years. He was first-team All-New England and an honorable mention All-America as a senior. He once recovered eight fumbles in a single game, against rival Boston College. While at Holy Cross, Promuto also starred on the track team, graduating with the school shot put record.

In 1977, Promuto was inducted into the Holy Cross Varsity Club Hall of Fame. In 2010, he was an inaugural member of the Crusader Football Legends Ring of Honor in 2010. He played guard for Washington from 1960 to 1970. He played 130 games in his career, starting 113, all with Washington. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 1963 and 1964. He was a pass blocker for Hall of Fame quarterback Sonny Jurgenson.

In 1969, when the legendary Vince Lombardi became Washington's head coach for one season, Promuto was named a team captain. It was the team's first winning season (7-5-2) in 14 years.

Retirement and death Promuto moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 1992, after a successful business career. He and his wife owned a 90 ft yacht, and he became a licensed yacht captain.

He died of congestive heart failure on June 1, 2021, in Pompano Beach, Florida, one week before his 83rd birthday.