Former Gophers, NFL player and professional wrestler Bob Bruggers has died at age 80

Bob Bruggers, who played for the Gophers football team after a standout prep basketball and football career at Donau (Minn.) High School, died Friday at his home in Florida. He was 80.

Bruggers helped Danube, located in Renville County about 100 miles west of the Twin Cities, reach the boys basketball state tournament in 1961 and 1962. After the 1962 season, Bruggers was named to the Parade All-America team.

After playing on both offense and defense for the Gophers from 1963 to 1965, Bruggers signed as an undrafted free agent and went on to play six years as a linebacker with the Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers of the AFL (and later the NFL). .

After retiring from football, he wrestled professionally for Verne Gagne and the Minneapolis-based American Wrestling Association. He wrestled for other professional wrestling organizations until 1975. He retired after being injured in a plane crash.

Bruggers is a member of the “M” Club Hall of Fame, the MSHSL Hall of Fame and the University of Minnesota Minnesota High School Basketball Hall of Fame.