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NFL Legend Turned Actor, Who Once Helped Stop an Assassin, Turns 93

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Jul 14, 2025 10:46 PM ET

Only a select number of NFL players have transitioned to a career in politics after their stint in the league. In the entire history of the NFL, however, there is only one who can make the claim that he once played a key role in subduing the assassin of United States Senator Robert F. Kennedy.

That man is former New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams star defensive tackle Rosey Grier, who happens to be celebrating a milestone event on Monday. The one-time NFL champion turned 93 on July 14, making him one of the oldest living former players.

Grier started his NFL career as a third-round pick for the Giants during the 1955 NFL Draft. He played seven years in New York and was part of the Giants’ championship-winning season in 1956.

The former Penn State star then took his talents to the Rams in 1963, where he became a key part of the legendary “Fearsome Foursome” defensive line. In 11 years in the NFL, Grier was named a Pro Bowler twice and got an All-Pro nod once.

HBD " Happy born date" Rossavelt "Big Rosie" Grier 93 years young. pic.twitter.com/kLfwkQyCj2
— WE HAVE NO FRIENDS/BY ANY MEME NECESSARY (@CLG98264897) July 14, 2025

In 1968, two years after his retirement, Grier was part of Kennedy’s security team when an assassin opened fire at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. Grier helped subdue and disarm the gunman, Sirhan Sirhan, preventing further violence. His heroic actions brought him national recognition and helped launch his career as a prominent television and film personality.

Grier became an actor and appeared in dozens of TV shows, which included “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” and “I Dream of Jeannie.” He even got his own TV show, “Rosey Grier’s World,” which aired during the 1970s.

Grier has had a colorful life, to say the least, and it’s amazing that he’s still going strong at 93.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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