Former Atlanta Falcon and Auburn Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan died Sunday. He was 69.
Sullivan’s family released a statement saying he “died peacefully at home,” surrounded by relatives. Sullivan had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2003 and the statement said he “fought a long and difficult battle as a result of his treatments.”
As a quarterback, Sullivan led the Tigers to a 26-7 record over three seasons. He was awarded the Heisman his senior year in part for a thrilling win over an unbeaten Georgia in 1971. He finished that season with 162-of-281 passing for 2,012 yards and 20 touchdowns.
The Birmingham, Ala., native was drafted by the Falcons in the second round (40th overall) of the 1972 draft. He appeared in 30 games (four starts), passing for 1,555 yards, five touchdowns and 16 interceptions, over a four year career in Atlanta.
He stayed away from football for a decade, returning to Auburn in 1986 to coach quarterbacks under Pat Dye. He left in 1992 to become the head coach at Texas Christian University, where he captured a Southwest Conference title in 1994. He left TCU after a 1-10 season in 1997. He then worked as UAB’s offensive coordinator
He last coached at Samford, where he won a Southern Conference title, before retiring after eight seasons in 2014, citing health issues and saying his life needed “more balance.”
He was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1991.
