Pardee dies at age 76

Jack Pardee, a two-time All-Pro linebacker and an NFL coach with Chicago, Washington and Houston, has died. He was 76. Pardee’s family announced in November that he had gall bladder cancer that had spread to other organs and he had 6-9 months to live. Pardee was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986. After a successful NFL career (he was named All-Pro in 1963 and 1971) Pardee turned to coaching. His most successful years came after he adopted the Run-and-Shoot offense. His 1989 Houston Cougars led the nation in total offense and passing yards, and quarterback Andre Ware won the Heisman Trophy. Pardee became the coach of the NFL’s Houston Oilers in 1990, and led the team to the playoffs in each of his first four seasons. He ended an 11-year NFL coaching career with a record of 87-77. –AP