Former WWII veteran & Hall of Famer Marchetti dies at 93

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Former World War Two veteran and Pro Football Hall of Famer Gino Marchetti passed away on Monday night. The Hall of Fame confirmed the news of the former Baltimore Colts defensive end's death at 93. There was an outpouring of support for Marchetti's family in Indianapolis and Baltimore.

The man, who fought the Battle of the Bulge against Nazi Germany in World War Two, was a nine-time All-Pro and 11-time Pro Bowl selection. The Colts had won back-to-back championships with Marchetti marshaling the defensive line.

He was also one of three defensive ends named to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1994 along with Deacon Jones and Reggie White.

Marchetti had a long stint with the Colts from 1953 to 1966 after one season with the Dallas Texans in 1952.

Earlier, a three-year starter after his overseas deployment with the U.S. Army, Marchetti was a two-way tackle. He was also a key part of the undefeated University of San Francisco team in 1951.

Interestingly, a year later, he was a second-round pick of the New York Yanks, but that franchise moved to Dallas before the 1952 season.

(Cover Photo: Marchetti with Hall of Fame head coach Don Shula during the 1965 NFL Pro Bowl at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 10, 1965. /Courtesy of NFL official website)

(With input from agencies)