The New England Patriots announced via a press release Wednesday that former punter-quarterback Tom Yewcic passed away at age 88.
Yewcic signed with the Patriots in 1961 following a successful collegiate career at Michigan State where he played both football and baseball.
During his Michigan State tenure, Yewcic led the football program to a Rose Bowl title over UCLA in 1954 and was named the College World Series Most Outstanding player despite the baseball team not winning a championship.
Yewcic was initially drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1954 NFL Draft but opted to play baseball and signed with the Detroit Tigers.