Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Mourn Loss of Hall of Famer Earl Faison
6/13/2016 8:31:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana Athletics is saddened to learn IU Hall of Famer and football All-American Earl Faison has passed away. Faison was 77 years old.
A three-year letterwinner from 1958-60, Faison played defensive end and also led the Hoosiers in receiving in both 1958 and 1960. He was a third team All-America selection and All-Big Ten as a senior.
The Newport News, Va., product returned a 92-yard blocked field goal for the game's only score in Indiana's first Old Brass Spittoon and 6-0 victory over Michigan State in 1958.
IU's most valuable player in 1960 played in the East-West Shrine Game, the All-American Bowl and the Hula Bowl before being drafted seventh overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 1961 American Football League Draft.
Faison played for the Chargers from 1961-66. The 6-5, 260-pounder was named Rookie of the Year and the team's MVP in his first season.
He was also selected to play in the AFL All Star Game his rookie year, marking the first of five straight appearances. Faison was named the game's defensive most valuable player in 1963, and was a four-time All-AFL selection (1961; 63-65) and a second team All-AFL pick in 1962.
As a result, the Chargers inducted Faison into the team's Hall of Fame in 1986, becoming the 12th member of the elusive ring of honor, and later welcomed him to the team's 50th Anniversary Team.
The San Diego Chargers (chargers.com) contributed to this story.
A three-year letterwinner from 1958-60, Faison played defensive end and also led the Hoosiers in receiving in both 1958 and 1960. He was a third team All-America selection and All-Big Ten as a senior.
The Newport News, Va., product returned a 92-yard blocked field goal for the game's only score in Indiana's first Old Brass Spittoon and 6-0 victory over Michigan State in 1958.
IU's most valuable player in 1960 played in the East-West Shrine Game, the All-American Bowl and the Hula Bowl before being drafted seventh overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 1961 American Football League Draft.
Faison played for the Chargers from 1961-66. The 6-5, 260-pounder was named Rookie of the Year and the team's MVP in his first season.
He was also selected to play in the AFL All Star Game his rookie year, marking the first of five straight appearances. Faison was named the game's defensive most valuable player in 1963, and was a four-time All-AFL selection (1961; 63-65) and a second team All-AFL pick in 1962.
As a result, the Chargers inducted Faison into the team's Hall of Fame in 1986, becoming the 12th member of the elusive ring of honor, and later welcomed him to the team's 50th Anniversary Team.
The San Diego Chargers (chargers.com) contributed to this story.
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