Former Miami Dolphins running back Sammy Price has died. He was 82.
Price died on Aug. 5 in Waterville, Ohio, according to his online obituary. His death was confirmed by Mike Pearson, the former Sports Information Director at Illinois, where Price played college football from 1963-65.
“We are saddened to hear about the passing on Wednesday of three-time 1960s @IlliniFootball letterman Sam Price,” Pearson wrote in a post to X. “A member of Pete Elliott’s ’63 Big Ten and ’64 Rose Bowl championship team, Sam later played in the NFL for the @MiamiDolphins.”
Price played three seasons in the NFL from 1966-68, all with the Dolphins. He was drafted by Miami in the 11th round of the 1966 AFL Draft and also by the New York Giants in the 16th round of the 1966 NFL Draft, but chose to sign with the Dolphins.
Price caught the first career touchdown pass thrown by legendary Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese. The scoring play occurred on Sept. 17, 1967, and helped the Dolphins defeat the Denver Broncos, 35-21. It was the lone touchdown reception of Price’s pro career.
For his AFL career, Price had 82 rushes for 313 yards and one touchdown, as well as 10 receptions for 70 yards and one touchdown for Miami.
Prior to the AFL, Price was a star at Illinois. He helped lead the Fighting Illini to win the Big Ten conference during the 1963 season, capped by a 17-7 win over Washington in the Rose Bowl. Illinois finished the season with an 8-1-1 record and ranked third in the final AP poll.
In three seasons at Illinois, Price had 199 rushes for 729 yards and six touchdowns, as well as 26 receptions for 231 yards and one touchdown.
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