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Bob Trumpy, Pioneering Cincinnati Bengals Tight End and Broadcaster, Dies at 80

Bob ‍Trumpy,⁤ a former cincinnati Bengals tight end who revolutionized the position and later enjoyed a distinguished career as a ⁣sports broadcaster, has died at age 80. The Springfield, Illinois, native passed away Sunday, November 3, 2024, according to multiple reports.

Trumpy played 128‍ games for Cincinnati,⁢ transforming the tight end role ⁢wiht the guidance of Bengals’ wide receivers coach Bill​ Walsh. He recorded 298 ‍receptions for⁣ 4,600 yards – still 13th on the Bengals’ all-time list – and 39 touchdowns. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Trumpy remains the Bengals’​ all-time leader among ‍tight ends ⁤in both touchdowns ​and yards per catch (15.4).

at a⁣ time when tight ​ends were primarily utilized as blockers, Trumpy’s speed and receiving ability opened up new offensive ⁢possibilities. “I had speed for a guy who was, at that time, 6-foot-6, maybe 215 (pounds); I could get down the field,” Trumpy ​told The State Journal-Register in 2020. “I give all the credit in the world to Bill Walsh for recognizing and realizing that I shouldn’t just line up next to a tackle on every down. I followed his orders; he moved me all over the place and it ​blew up⁤ defenses all over the American football⁢ League.” Walsh went ⁢on to become a legendary head coach,‍ winning‍ three Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers in the 1980s.

Following his playing career, Trumpy transitioned to‌ broadcasting, hosting ⁢a ⁣sports call-in show on ⁤Cincinnati’s WLW radio and earning four‌ Ohio Sports Broadcaster of the Year⁤ awards. He became a nationally recognized color commentator for NBC NFL telecasts from the late 1970s‍ through ⁤the 1990s, also contributing to NBC’s Olympics and golf coverage. He continued in broadcasting with CBS/Westwood One’s ⁣radio broadcasts of NFL Sunday night games well into the 2000s, famously calling the debut⁢ game ⁤of Denver Broncos‌ Hall of Fame quarterback John elway.

“He was 1-for-8 and his⁣ only completion was a jump ‌pass,” ⁣Trumpy⁤ recalled ​with a laugh in a 2020 interview.

In⁣ 2014,Trumpy was honored with the Pete‌ Rozelle Radio-Television Award⁢ by the Pro football Hall of Fame,a lifetime achievement ⁤award recognizing excellence in sports broadcasting alongside⁢ luminaries ⁣like jack Buck,Curt⁤ Gowdy,and Al Michaels.