Bob Bruggers, Former Gophers player, NFL player and professional wrestler, has died at the age of 80

Bob Bruggers, who played for the Gofers soccer team after a successful career in basketball and soccer at Danube (Minnesota) High School, died Friday in Florida. He was 80 years old.

Thanks to Bruggers, the Danube team, located in Renville County, 100 miles west of the Twin Cities, competed in the high school basketball tournament in 1961 and '62. Following the 1962 season, Bruggers was named to the Parade All-America team.

Bruggers played offense and defense for the Gofers from 1963-65 before being invited as a free agent to play for the Miami Dolphins of the American Football League. He played 2.5 seasons for Miami as a halfback before being traded to the San Diego Chargers, where he spent another 3.5 seasons, playing a total of 57 games in the AFL/NFL.

After retiring from soccer, he wrestled professionally for Verne Gagne and the Minneapolis-based American Wrestling Association. Bruggers competed for other professional wrestling organizations until 1975. He retired after suffering injuries in a plane crash.

Bruggers is a member of the University of Minnesota M Club Hall of Fame, the MSHSL Hall of Fame and the Minnesota High School Basketball Hall of Fame.