Gary Jeter, a former defensive lineman and a highly touted draft pick by the Giants whose best playing years came after he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 1983, died on Wednesday at his home in Plainsboro, N.J. He was 61.
The cause appeared to be a heart attack, his daughter Kayla Jeter said.
A former all-American for the University of Southern California, Jeter showed great promise as a first-round draft pick for the Giants in 1977. Impressing team officials, and sports reporters, with his chiseled physique, he stood 6 feet 4 inches tall, weighed about 260 pounds and was clocked by the team running 40 yards in 4.