Tom Yewcic, two-sport start for Michigan State, dies at 88

ARLINGTON, Mass. — Tom Yewcic, a multisport standout who played one game at catcher for the Detroit Tigers before spending several years as a punter with the Boston Patriots, has died. He was 88.

An obituary posted on the website of Keefe Funeral Home in Massachusetts said Yewcic died Tuesday.

Yewcic grew up in Pennsylvania and played football and baseball at Michigan State. He was the starting quarterback in 1952 and 1953, leading the Spartans to a national championship in ’52 and a Rose Bowl victory the following season.

In 1954, Yewcic helped Michigan State baseball advance to the College World Series, where he earned MVP honors even though the Spartans didn’t win it all.

Yewcic signed with the Tigers and eventually played one game for them in 1957. His football career progressed after that. He signed with the Patriots in 1961 after spending time in the Canadian Football League.

Yewcic punted 377 times for 14,553 yards during his career. He also played some quarterback for the Patriots.