...
By Jon Paul Hoornstra
Contributing Sports Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Travis Curtis, a Washington, D.C.-area native who played the last of his 57 NFL games for the eventual Super Bowl champion Redskins in 1991, died on Jan. 17. He was 60.
More news: Former 49ers Quarterback, NFL MVP, Dies
Read More on NFL
Curtis recorded five of his eight career interceptions as a rookie with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1987. Curtis also played for the Minnesota Vikings (1989) and New York Jets (1990) in between stints with Washington in 1988 and 1991.
...
A graduate of Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, Maryland, Curtis played three years of college football (1984-86) at the University of West Virginia. He was an All-East second team selection by the Associated Press all three years, finishing his collegiate career with seven interceptions in 32 games.
More news: Former Eagles, Raiders Standout Stabbed to Death
Curtis went undrafted in 1987, then signed with St. Louis as a free agent. He appeared in 13 games for the Cardinals as a rookie, but only started one despite leading the team in interceptions.
The Cardinals franchise moved to Phoenix in 1988, and newly appointed general manager Larry Wilson signed Curtis to a multiyear contract at the beginning of the season.
More news: Former Chiefs Super Bowl Champion Dies
Curtis had recorded one pick through his first 12 games of the season when Wilson tried to pass him through waivers — an attempt to activate him from injured reserve — in December 1988. He was claimed by Washington with two weeks left in the regular season.
Curtis played only one game for the Redskins, became a free agent after the season, and signed with the Vikings for the 1989 season. With the Vikings, Curtis started 11 of 16 games at free safety, filling in for an injured Brad Edwards at midseason.
More news: Former 49ers Super Bowl Champion Dies at 60
The Jets signed Curtis as a free agent in March 1990. He played 14 games, recorded two interceptions, forced one fumble and recovered another in his only season in New York. He missed the final two weeks of the season with a shoulder injury.
Curtis competed for the Jets in the preseason, but was placed on injured reserve prior to Week 1 of the 1991 season. He was ultimately released without playing in a game, then signed with the Redskins in October as an injury replacement.
Although was placed on waivers after appearing in only one game for Washington, that single game allowed Curtis to claim a spot on D.C.'s last football champion.
More news: Former Colts First-Round Pick, Hall of Fame Running Back, Dies
Curtis signed with the Barcelona Dragons of the World American Football League for the 1992 season, which effectively ended his football career. According to his obituary provided to Snowden Funeral Home, Curtis started 40th Street Black Cartage, a freight transportation company, in Potomac.
Curtis is survived by his mother, Carol, three children, three grandchildren, and two siblings.
For more NFL news, visit Newsweek Sports.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines