Former Ohio State football star dies at 74

Former Ohio State football star and Green Bay Packers running back John Brockington has died at the age of 74.

In three seasons with the Buckeyes, the Brooklyn, N.Y., native ran for 1,663 yards on 378 attempts and scoring 24 touchdowns, including 17 in the 1970 season.

Brockington is remembered as one of the "Super Sophomores" who helped lead Ohio State to an undefeated national championship season in 1968, when the Buckeyes defeated USC in the 1969 Rose Bowl.

He and the other Supers ended their OSU career with a 27-2 career record.

Brockington played initially as the lead blocker for the Buckeyes' strong rushing attack in his first two seasons before moving to lead running back in 1970.

That year, he established Ohio State's then-record for the most rushing yards by a single player in a season (1,142).

The school named Brockington to its All-Century Team in 2000.

The No. 9 overall selection in the 1971 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers, Brockington emerged as one of the league's more physical power backs.

He was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1971, earned two First-Team All-Pro honors and was named to the Pro Bowl three times (1971, '72, and '73.)

Brockington finished his NFL career with 5,185 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns, posting a 3.8 yard per carry average. He scored a career-high eight touchdowns in the 1972 campaign, his second year in the NFL.

"The Packers family was saddened to hear about the passing of John," Packers president and chief executive Mark Murphy said in a statement.

"One of the great runners of his era, John was an exciting player to watch with his powerful running style. Fans enthusiastically welcomed John back to Lambeau Field over the years, fondly remembering the 1972 division championship as well as the bright spots he provided in the less-successful seasons."

Murphy added, "He leaves a wonderful legacy. We extend our condolences to his wife, Diane, and his family and friends."

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