Gary Ballman, 63; Twice Played in Pro Bowl While With Steelers

Gary Ballman, 63, a Pro Bowl player for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1960s, died May 20 at his home in Aurora, Colo., as he mowed his lawn, family members said. The cause of death was not reported.

Ballman starred at Michigan State before playing halfback and receiver for the Steelers from 1962 to 1966, making the Pro Bowl in 1965 and 1966.

He was among the team’s career leaders in kickoff returns (64 returns for 1,711 yards), with the second-best average of 26.7. His 93-yard return against the Washington Redskins on Nov. 17, 1963, is tied for seventh-longest in team history.

He played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1967 to 1972, then split his final year as a pro player between the New York Giants and the Minnesota Vikings.

Ballman worked for the NFL Players Assn. until 1979, when he moved to Denver. He was a building products salesman for Simplex Building Products before retiring last year.