by Alex Abrams
Hal McAfee Dies of Heart Attack
Posted on 23 November 2008
Here is some sad news about former Arkansas linebacker Hal McAfee. This is the article that will appear in Monday’s edition of The Morning News.
Former Arkansas linebacker Hal McAfee, who was named the Defensive Most Valuable Player of the 1976 Cotton Bowl, died Saturday.
McAfee suffered a massive heart attack while exercising on a treadmill in Arkadelphia, where he lived, Razorback Foundation President Harold Horton said Sunday.
He was an overachiever. He played above and beyond his ability because he wasn’t extremely talented, said Horton, who coached McAfee as Arkansas’ linebackers coach in the early 1970s. He was smart, he was tough and he would get to the football.
McAfee played for the Razorbacks from 1973-75, and he served as a team captain in his final season. He was named to the All-Southwest Conference first team in 1975, and he capped the season by leading Arkansas to a 31-10 win over Georgia in the 1976 Cotton Bowl.
McAfee, who was believed to be in his early 50s when he died, was later named to the Cotton Bowl Hall of Heroes for the 1970s. He also went 36-18 as the head football coach at Tarleton (Texas) State from 1988-92.
He was what you want a Razorback to be, Horton said. “He played hard to the ball and played hard to make a tackle.
Categorized | Football
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November 24th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Hello, I hardly ever leave messages on these boards. I am an Associate Professor at Henderson State. Hal was my chairperson and I miss him so much it hurts inside. I was at a meeting in Nashville Tn over the weekend and found out on the telephone. It was the longest 6 hour ride of my life.
He was not just a colleague, but he was my friend. He taught me so much about myself during my short 3 1/2 working and knowing Hal.
My thoughts and prayer go out to the McAfee family and especially his wife Cindy.
Hal you will always have a place in my heart. You will never ever be forgotten.
We love you,
Patrick, Tricia, Angelmaa & Gabriella Wempe
Associate Professor
Henderson State University
Arkadelphia, Arkansas
November 24th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Dr. Wempe, that was a wonderful tribute. Hal was my cousin, my father’s brother’s son. Hal was just about the smartest person I’ve ever known. And I don’t think I ever heard him speak an unkind word about anyone. The world is truly missing an exceptional human being now.
November 25th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Hal was dear friend to me many years ago when he was in law school and student coaching for the Razorbacks. He helped through a difficult time in my life and introduced me to music and arts which I have carried with me to this day. I am sorry I was not able to see him before his untimely death. He was a dynamic individual and he never left my thoughts over the years and never will. My prayers to his family….
Laurie Holt
Radiology Department R.T.(R)
St. Vincent Health Systems
Little Rock, Arkansas
December 25th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Hal was a lifetime friend who I met at the University of Arkansas. Though he was my age, he was my mentor and someone I could always count on for his best advice. At one time, I believe we were the oldest single people in our peer group. We always kidded that if we didn’t marry by our 50s we would have to marry each other…I’m so glad to learn he did finally find that very special gal and had a family close at hand. (This probably explains why I stopped hearing from him…) His parents were so very proud of him as he was someone so special… and what an achiever! Who could keep up with him; he was amazing! I miss his view points on the arts. The very last time I spent with Hal was viewing “Van Gogh’s Van Goghs Exhibit here at LACMA. I’ll miss him terribly… Much love to you my dear friend, Hal… and bless your family.
Jan Bursey
Television Executive
Los Angeles, California
August 11th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Hal was a hustler and a fighter. My condolences to his family and friends. We will all miss him. Marsh White
August 21st, 2009 at 12:32 pm
When I was a kid my father would ask me what position I wanted to play. I would say “I want to run the ball like Marsh White and tackle like Hal McAfee. The 1975 season was and still is a majical season. I had the chance to meet Hal when I played at Henderson. Thanks for the memories.
Rick Vinson