Hall of Famer Andy Robustelli dies at age 85

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Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end Andy Robustelli has died at age 85, the Lacerenza Funeral Home in Robustelli’s hometown of Stamford, Conn., confirmed Tuesday. He spent the first five of his 14 NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Rams.

It was not clear when and where Robustelli died. He and his wife, Jeanne, who died last month, had nine children and 29 grandchildren.

According to the Hall of Fame’s website, the three-time Little All-American at tiny Arnold College in Connecticut was considered a long shot to make it in the pros when he was picked by the Rams in the 19th round of the 1951 draft.

Instead, Robustelli and the Rams won the NFL title his rookie season when he helped the team to an 8-4 record and the National Conference championship before a victory over the Cleveland Browns in the title game. It was the first of his eight championship-game appearances.

Robustelli was traded to the New York Giants for a first-round pick after the 1956 season and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.