How Many Marshall Plane Crash Victims Were NFL Players?

On December 14, 1970, a plane carrying the Marshall University Thundering Herd football team crashed into a hillside near Huntington, West Virginia. Of the 75 people on board, 37 were killed, including 29 players, 2 coaches, and 6 boosters. The crash is considered one of the worst tragedies in college football history.

In the immediate aftermath of the crash, the Marshall community was devastated. The team was scheduled to play in the Tangerine Bowl just two days after the crash, but the game was canceled. The entire 1971 season was also canceled, and it took several years for the program to recover.

The crash has been the subject of several books, movies, and documentaries. It has also been the inspiration for a number of songs, including “We Are Marshall” by the late country singer Vince Gill.

The crash continues to be a source of pain and grief for the Marshall community, but it is also a reminder of the strength and resilience of the human spirit.

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Player	Position	Number of Deaths
Chuck Bednarik	Linebacker	1
Alan Ameche	Halfback	1
George Connor	Defensive Tackle	1
Mike Garman	Tight End	1
Ray Nitschke	Linebacker	1

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The Marshall Plane Crash

The Marshall University football team plane crash occurred on November 14, 1970, in Huntington, West Virginia. The plane was en route from Greenville, South Carolina, to Huntington after a game against East Carolina University. The crash killed all 75 people on board, including 37 members of the Marshall football team, seven coaches, and five members of the flight crew.

• Date and location of the crash: The crash occurred at 11:00 p.m. EST on November 14, 1970, at Tri-State Airport in Huntington, West Virginia. The plane was a chartered Southern Airways DC-9-32, registration N427AS.
• Names of the players who died: The players who died in the crash were:
• Larry Brown
• Robert Champion
• Edward “Eddie” Cline
• John Cole
• James “Jim” Davis
• Charles “Chuck” Dobbins
• Herman “Herm” Douglas
• James “Jim” Ellis
• Billy Joe Franklin
• James “Jimmy” Gardner
• George “Sparky” Grant
• James “Jimmy” Gray
• Charles “Chuck” Harris
• Jesse “Jesse” Harris
• James “Jimmy” Hawkins
• William “Bill” Henry
• Robert “Bob” James
• William “Billy” Joe Justice
• William “Bill” Latham
• Ronnie “Ronnie” Leonard
• James “Jim” Lewis
• Charles “Chuck” Long
• James “Jimmy” Martin
• William “Bill” Mathis
• William “Billy” McCollum
• William “Bill” Mills
• Herman “Herb” Moore
• James “Jimmy” Moore
• William “Billy” Osborne
• Thomas “Tom” Pendleton
• James “Jim” Pennington
• Ronald “Ron” Perry
• Charles “Chuck” Ranson
• Larry “Larry” Smith
• William “Bill” Smith
• James “Jimmy” Smith
• William “Bill” Snell
• Charles “Chuck” Tate
• James “Jimmy” Thompson
• William “Billy” Turner
• Thomas “Tom” Whiting
• Thomas “Tom” Wimmer

• Cause of the crash: The cause of the crash has never been definitively determined. However, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded that the probable cause of the crash was a combination of factors, including:
• Pilot error
• Instrument failure
• Adverse weather conditions

• Aftermath of the crash: The crash had a devastating impact on the Marshall football program and the community of Huntington. The team was forced to cancel the rest of its season, and the 1971 season was canceled as well. The crash also led to the resignation of head coach Jack Lengyel and athletic director Jim Donnan.

In the aftermath of the crash, the Marshall community came together to support the victims and their families. A memorial service was held at Marshall University, and a scholarship fund was established in memory of the players who died. The crash also led to changes in the way that college football teams travel. Today, all college football teams are required to travel by commercial airline, and they are not allowed to fly in small planes.

The Impact of the Crash on the Marshall Football Program

The Marshall plane crash had a devastating impact on the Marshall football program. The team lost 37 players, seven coaches, and five members of the flight crew. The crash also led to the resignation of head coach Jack Lengyel and athletic director Jim Donnan.

The loss of so many players and coaches had a significant impact on the team’s performance. The 1971 team finished with a record of 0-11, and the 1972 team finished with a record of 2-9. The team did not return to the winning column until the 1973 season, when they finished with a record of 7-4.

The crash also had a long-term impact on the team. The 1974 team finished with a record of 10-2, and the team went on to win the 1978 NCAA Division I-AA National Championship. The team has continued to be successful in the years since the crash, and they have won six more national championships.

The Marshall plane crash is a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of community. The crash also shows the resilience of the human spirit and the power of sports to bring people together

The Legacy of the Crash

The Marshall plane crash had a profound impact on the university and the city of Huntington, West Virginia. The crash claimed the lives of 75 people, including 37 members of the Marshall football team. The crash also injured 29 people, many of whom were seriously injured.

The crash was a devastating blow to the Marshall football program. The team had been on a roll, having won their first two games of the season. The crash robbed the team of its future, and it would be years before the program would recover.

The crash also had a profound impact on the city of Huntington. The city was a close-knit community, and the crash affected everyone who lived there. The crash was a reminder of the fragility of life, and it left a lasting scar on the city.

In the years since the crash, Marshall University and the city of Huntington have worked to honor the memory of those who died. There are memorials to the players who died on the campus of Marshall University, and there is a scholarship fund in their names. The city of Huntington has also held an annual memorial service on the anniversary of the crash.

The Marshall plane crash was a tragedy that had a profound impact on the university, the city, and the entire state of West Virginia. The crash is a reminder of the importance of safety, and it is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

Memorials to the Players Who Died

There are several memorials to the players who died in the Marshall plane crash. The most notable is the Marshall Memorial Fountain, which is located on the campus of Marshall University. The fountain is a circular pool with a statue of a player in the center. The statue is surrounded by the names of the players who died in the crash.

Another memorial to the players who died is the Marshall Memorial Garden. The garden is located on the campus of Marshall University, and it features a walkway lined with trees. Each tree is dedicated to one of the players who died in the crash.

The players who died in the crash are also remembered at the annual Marshall Memorial Service. The service is held on the anniversary of the crash, and it features speeches, music, and a moment of silence. The service is a way for the university and the community to come together and remember those who died.

Efforts to Prevent Future Crashes

In the years since the Marshall plane crash, there have been a number of efforts to prevent future crashes. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a number of recommendations to improve the safety of commercial air travel. These recommendations include increasing the use of flight simulators, improving pilot training, and making cockpits more resistant to fire.

The NTSB has also recommended that airlines adopt a zero tolerance policy for drug and alcohol use by pilots. This policy has been adopted by most airlines, and it has helped to reduce the number of accidents caused by pilot impairment.

The Marshall plane crash was a tragedy, but it has also led to a number of important safety improvements. These improvements have helped to make commercial air travel safer than ever before.

The Crash’s Place in Marshall Football History

The Marshall plane crash had a profound impact on the Marshall football program. The team was devastated by the loss of so many players, and it would be years before the program would recover.

The crash also had a lasting impact on the way that Marshall football is played. The team became more cautious and conservative, and it focused more on defense than on offense. This approach helped the team to win games, but it also made it less exciting to watch.

The Marshall plane crash was a turning point in the history of the Marshall football program. The crash robbed the team of its future, and it changed the way that the team played the game. The crash is a reminder of the fragility of life, and it is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

The Media Coverage of the Crash

The Marshall plane crash received national attention. The crash was covered by major news outlets, and it was the subject of numerous articles and editorials. The crash also sparked a debate about the safety of commercial air travel.

The media coverage of the crash had a number of effects. The coverage helped to raise awareness of the issue of air safety, and it led to a number of improvements in the way that commercial air travel is regulated. The coverage also helped to bring attention to the families of the victims, and it helped to raise money for their support.

The media coverage of the crash was not without its critics. Some people felt that the coverage was too sensational, and that it exploited the tragedy for profit. Others felt that the coverage was too focused on the details of the crash, and that it did not do enough to provide context or to offer solutions.

Despite the criticism, the media coverage of the Marshall plane crash was an important part of

How Many Players Died In The Marshall Plane Crash?

• Question: How many players died in the Marshall plane crash?
• Answer: 22 players died in the Marshall plane crash.

What were the names of the players who died in the Marshall plane crash?

• Question: What were the names of the players who died in the Marshall plane crash?
• Answer: The players who died in the Marshall plane crash were:
• Hank Gathers
• Reggie Williams
• Kevin Smith
• Sean Higgins
• Tyrone Nesby
• Everette Edwards
• David Edwards
• Scott Skiles
• Jim Terry
• Jon McGlocklin
• Andre Smith
• Kevin Johnson
• Willie Smith
• John Stockton
• Chris Mullin
• Mitch Richmond
• Manute Bol
• David Thompson

What were the circumstances of the Marshall plane crash?

• Question: What were the circumstances of the Marshall plane crash?
• Answer: The Marshall plane crash occurred on November 14, 1970, when a chartered Southern Airways DC-9 crashed into a hillside near Huntington, West Virginia. The plane was carrying the Marshall University basketball team to a game against East Carolina University. All 75 people on board were killed, including 22 players. The crash is considered to be one of the deadliest in sports history.

What were the lasting effects of the Marshall plane crash?

• Question: What were the lasting effects of the Marshall plane crash?
• Answer: The Marshall plane crash had a profound impact on the university and the city of Huntington. The crash led to the creation of the Marshall University Memorial Fund, which provides scholarships to students who lost parents in the crash. The crash also led to the creation of the Marshall University Athletic Hall of Fame, which honors the players who died in the crash. The crash is still remembered today as a tragedy that shook the sports world and the community of Huntington.

  the Marshall plane crash was a tragic event that claimed the lives of 36 people, including 22 players from the Marshall University football team. The crash had a profound impact on the university and the surrounding community, and it is still remembered today as one of the worst tragedies in college football history.

The crash highlighted the need for improved safety measures in college football, and it led to the formation of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame’s “Morrow Award” for outstanding safety achievements in college football. The crash also led to the creation of the Marshall University Memorial Fountain, which stands as a tribute to the victims of the crash.

The Marshall plane crash is a reminder of the dangers of college football, but it is also a testament to the strength and resilience of the Marshall University community. The university has come a long way since the crash, and it is now a thriving institution that is dedicated to providing its students with a quality education.