Former NFL player, USC star Rossovich dies at 72

He was 72.

Rossovich died Thursday in Sacramento after battling a long illness, according
to the school.

Rossovich spent more than two decades as a Hollywood actor and stunt man after
his football career ended.

He was already doing eccentric things during a football career that included
88 NFL games. Rossovich would chew on glass and light bulbs, jump off rooftops
and set himself on fire, among other things.

One of the times he set himself on fire was for a Sports Illustrated photo
shoot in 1971.

On the football field, he emerged as a star defensive end for the Trojans from
1965-67 and was co-captain of the school's 1967 national championship team
that was led by running back O.J. Simpson.

He was the 14th overall pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1968 draft. He
spent four seasons with the team and made the Pro Bowl in his second campaign.

Rossovich was traded to the then-San Diego Chargers and spent two seasons
(1972-73) with that franchise. He then jumped to the World Football League and
played with the Philadelphia Bell (1974-75) until the league folded before
finishing his football career with the NFL's Houston Oilers in 1976.

He had three interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries during his NFL career.

In his acting career, Rossovich appeared in several movies and more than a
dozen television shows. His TV credits include "MacGyver," "Magnum P.I.,"
"Hunter," "Baywatch," "The Love Boat," "Wonder Woman," and "Charlie's Angels."

Rossovich was inducted into USC's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015.

--Field Level Media