Brad Van Pelt, who helped form one of the most fearsome linebacking groups in NFL history, passed away on Tuesday from an apparent heart attack. He was 57.
Van Pelt, along with Hall of Famers Harry Carson and Lawrence Taylor and Brian Kelley, formed the Crunch Bunch for the Giants. He played for the team from 1973 to 1983, during which time he was selected to five Pro Bowls. It was the drafting of Carl Banks that effectively ended Van Pelt's career with the Giants; he played three more years in the NFL after leaving the Giants.
Van Pelt's tenure with the Giants preceded their Super Bowl era. He played on just one team with a winning record, in 1981, but was voted the team's Player of the Decade for the 1970s. A converted defensive back, he wore the number 10 for the Giants, having entered the league just before regulations regarding the jersey numbers that linebackers could wear.
He played in 184 regular season games and had 20 interceptions and (unofficially) 24.5 sacks. via
