Greg Latta

Gregory Edwin Latta (October 13, 1952 – September 28, 1994) was an American football player. As tight end, he was drafted by the Baltimore Colts of the National Football League, but played instead for the Florida Blazers of the World Football League in 1974. He was traded to the Chicago Bears in 1975 for third- and seventh-round draft picks, along with the head coach of the Blazers, Jack Pardee.[1] Latta was a member of the Bears from 1975 to 1979.

Greg Latta
No. 44
Position:Tight End
Personal information
Born:(1952-10-13)October 13, 1952
Newark, New Jersey
Died:September 28, 1994(1994-09-28) (aged 41)
Newark, New Jersey
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:226 lb (103 kg)
Career information
High school:Newark (NJ) South Side
College:Morgan State
NFL Draft:1974 / Round: 8 / Pick: 188
Career history
Career highlights and awards
  • Morgan State Hall of Fame
  • All-WFL (1974)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:90
Receiving Yards:1,081
Average:12.0
Touchdowns:7
Player stats at NFL.com

In his rookie season with the Florida Blazers, Latta caught 39 passes for 815 yards and nine touchdown receptions. The Blazers went to the 1974 World Bowl Championship game falling 22-21 to the Birmingham Americans.

During his 5-year NFL career, the 6-foot-3, 227-pound tight end caught 90 passes for 1,081 yards and 7 touchdowns. On special teams, he returned 3 kickoffs for 22 yards.[2]

Background

Latta attended South Side High School in Newark[3] and Morgan State College in Baltimore, Maryland.

Death

He died on September 28, 1994 at St. Michael's Hospital of an apparent heart attack, Newark, New Jersey. He was 41 years old.

References
  1. Mayer, Larry (January 28, 2014). "Bears drafted Payton 39 years ago". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on June 30, 2016. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  2. "Gregory Edwin Latta". Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved April 14, 2008.
  3. Carroll, Bob (1999). Total Football II: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League. Retrieved April 14, 2008.
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