Former Pittsburgh Steelers special teams star Lynn Chandnois passes away at the age of 86 due to natural causes
Former Pittsburgh Steelers special-teams superstar, Lynn Chandnois, died on Tuesday 19 April, 2011 at the age of 86 due to natural causes at his home in Flint, Michigan.
Michigan State University announced the passing of Chandnois on Thursday but did not disclose any more details.
"During his era, Lynn Chandnois was one of college football's most talented two-way players," Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. "He was so valuable on both sides of the football that he earned the nickname '60-minute Chandnois.' You get an idea of
what kind of an impact Lynn had on the field when you look in MSU's record book today and still see his name listed so prominently. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Chandnois family in this time of grief."
Chandnois was born on 24 February, 1925 in Garden, Michigan and had been a six-foot-two, 195 pound kick returner, defensive back and half back at Michigan State. He was a standout for the Michigan State Spartans in American football, while spending one year
on the university’s basketball team.
Before joining Michigan State, Chandnois served for two years on the United States Naval Air Corps. He is still ranked first in career interceptions with 20 and first in interception return yardage with 384 at Michigan State. He was named team Most Valuable
Player (MVP) in 1948 and was then named All-American in 1949. In 1950, the year in which Chandnois entered the NFL Draft, he was named the State of Michigan’s Outstanding Amateur Athlete.
Chandnois was drafted in the first round, eighth overall, by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1950 NFL Draft and then played for seven seasons with the Steelers until 1956. While with the Steelers, Chandnois played as running back and kick returner and was
named the NFL Player of the Year in 1952 and also selected to two Pro Bowls. He is ranked second in NFL History in lifetime Kick Off Return Average with 29.6 yards per kickoff return, behind only Gale Sayers who averaged 30.6, a difference of only one yard.
He also had 1,593 total yards in 1953, the highest in the league.
"Lynn was one of our great players from the past," Steelers chairman Dan Rooney said. "He was a really good person and a better player than anyone ever gave him credit for being. He is one of those special players that we will always remember."
Funeral arrangement details for Chandnois have not been released. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. His parents had both passed away when he was a child, with Chandnois being raised by his aunt in Flint, Michigan, where he returned to after finishing
his NFL career.
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