SHREVEPORT, La. -- Tony Sardisco, the former Tulane lineman
who captained the AFL's Boston Patriots in the early 1960s, died
Sunday. He was 73.
Sardisco, who also played for the San Francisco 49ers, died of a
massive heart attack at his home in Shreveport, daughter Madeleine
Bergeron said.
"Everyone is going to miss him greatly. He was the most
wonderful friend, coach, uncle, husband, father, teacher, mentor
anyone could ever have," Bergeron said. "He was an inspiration to
many."
Bergeron said her mother, Juliana Tutko Sardisco, suffered a
mild heart attack, apparently from the stress resulting from her
husband's death. Juliana Sardisco, 69, is recovering, Bergeron
said.
Sardisco's professional football career lasted four years, and
it was interrupted by military service. It included short stints
with the 49ers and Washington Redskins in 1956, his rookie season.
He then served in the Air Force for two years before returning to
pro football with Calgary in the Canadian Football League in 1959.
He played guard for the Patriots from 1960-62.
"He loved football to the day he died," Bergeron said.
Sardisco was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in
2004.
Funeral arrangements were not complete Monday night.