Former Michigan State football tight end Fred Arbanas has died at the age of 82. The Jackson County Democratic Party in Missouri announced his death Saturday and no cause was given according to an ESPN report.
Arbanas grew up in Detroit and played football for MSU from 1958-60. In 1961 he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the second round of the NFL Draft with the No. 22 pick and by the Dallas Texans in the seventh round of the AFL Draft with the No. 54 pick.
Arbanas ultimately signed with Dallas and would stay with the club during its move to Kansas City. He led the Chiefs to the Superbowl in 1967 and 1970 before being inducted into the Chiefs' Hall of Fame in 1973.
Following his athletic career, Arbanas pursued his interest in politics. He played a major role in transforming parks and amenities in Jackson County in Missouri.
Arbanas was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. The Detroit native played for St. Mary's of Redford before attending MSU.
The Jackson County Democratic Party in Missouri, for which Arbanas was a major player for more than four decades, announced his death in a brief statement Saturday, according to a report from The Detroit Free Press and AP.
Arbanas caught 20 passes for 371 yards in his career at MSU while snagging five receiving touchdowns as well. Of his career receiving yards, 255 came during the 1959 season for the Spartans, who went 4-2 overall under then-head coach Duffy Daugherty.
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