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Gino Marchetti, Former Baltimore Colt And Hall Of Famer, Dies At 93

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Former Baltimore Colt and Hall of Famer Gino Marchetti died Monday. Marchetti died at age 93 in Paoli, Pennslyvania of pneumonia.

He was on the Baltimore Colts when the team rose to the world championship status in the late 1950s. Marchetti played for the Colts for 13 seasons.

Gino Marchetti, Michael Senseney
Eighteen-month-old Michael Senseney finds he's a bit under age for the team after tossing a football caught by Gino Marchetti, veteran end and captain of the Baltimore Colts, at Westminster, Md., July 25, 1960. The byplay took place as the champion Colts started their 1960 training on the grounds of Western Maryland College. (AP Photo/William A. Smith)

He was on the Baltimore Colts when the team rose to the world championship status in the late 1950s. He played for the Colts for 13 seasons.

Marchetti, who wore the no. 89, was known for his tackles.

The Baltimore Ravens issued a statement on Marchetti's death:

" A giant of a man with a giant heart who helped many in need, Gino Marchetti is at or near the top of the greats in Baltimore athletic and football history. Beloved in Baltimore, this Pro Football Hall of Famer loved our community and the fans who were so special to him.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Joan, and the Marchetti family. We appreciate the kindness and respect Gino showed the Ravens over the last 23 years."

"He was known for clean, but very hard play and he was a particular terror on third-down, obvious passing situations. When opponents double-teamed him, or sometimes even triple-teamed him, that tactic only served to make the rest of the Colts rush line more effective," according to his Pro-Football Hall of Fame bio.

The 6-foot-4, 244-pound defensive end was a Baltimore fan favorite.

Marchetti suffered a broken leg in the Colts' 1958 overtime victory in the championship game.

After his football playing days, Marchetti also owned Gino's Burgers & Chicken in Towson and Glen Burnie.

He started his football career playing one season with the Dallas Texans.

Share your memories of Marchetti with WJZ. Use #BeOnWJZ with your social media posts. 

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