Bob Trumpy

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Lore & Background

Trumpy's professional journey began after a unique college path. He played for the Illinois Fighting Illini and Utah Utes before being selected by the Bengals in the 12th round (301st overall) of the 1968 draft. Despite his low selection, he earned the starting tight end spot under coaches Paul Brown, Tiger Johnson, and Bill Walsh. In 1969, he averaged an impressive 22.6 yards per catch with nine touchdowns. A defining moment occurred in November 1969 against the Houston Oilers when he became the first Bengals tight end to record three touchdown receptions in a single game, securing a 31–31 tie. His final season in 1977 featured a memorable 29-yard flea-flicker touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in a driving rainstorm, a play involving quarterback Ken Anderson and running back Archie Griffin that helped eliminate the Dolphins from playoff contention.

In Their Own Story

After retiring as a player, Trumpy's broadcasting career flourished. He began with radio work at WTAX in Springfield, Illinois, in 1964 before joining WCKY and later NBC Sports in 1978. At NBC, he worked alongside legends like Sam Nover, Bob Costas, Don Criqui, and Dick Enberg, calling Super Bowls XX, XXI, XXVII, and XXVIII. Beyond football, he covered three Ryder Cups and the Olympics. His impact extended beyond sports; on November 10, 1983, while hosting a WLW-AM talk show, he spoke with a suicidal woman for over two hours until her son provided an address, leading to her rescue by Forest Park police. This act of compassion required him to seek therapy later. He also hosted a weeknight sports show on WLW from 1980 to 1989 and was named Ohio Sports Broadcaster of the Year four times before leaving for more NBC assignments.

Reader's Guide

Trumpy's life began in Tremont, Illinois, moving to Springfield where he excelled in high school basketball and football. He won the 1963 state meet in long jump at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and was inducted into multiple halls of fame, including the Basketball Museum of Illinois Hall of Fame in 1983. His college career included a transfer to Utah, where he converted to tight end in 1966 after serving 180 days in the Navy during the Vietnam War. He graduated from the University of Utah in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts in business and finance. Trumpy is survived by his wife Pat and two sons, Matthew and Jason. His legacy is cemented not just by his on-field stats or broadcast calls, but by his resilience and humanity, recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.

Did You Know?

• Trumpy was selected in the 12th round (301st overall) of the 1968 draft but earned the starting tight end spot immediately.
• He served 180 days in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War after dropping out of school.
• In a November 1969 game, he became the first Bengals tight end to catch three touchdowns in a single game against the Houston Oilers.
• During a 1983 radio broadcast, Trumpy talked a suicidal woman off a ledge for over two hours until police could locate her.
• He called four Super Bowls and received the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.