Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 16, 1990 TAG: 9003172410
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
After playing 18 holes at the Bel-Air Country Club, Harmon drove to a nearby travel agency to pick up a ticket for a trip, but collapsed at the agency.
He was taken to UCLA Medical Center.
"Tom Harmon... died of cardiac arrest at 6:40 p.m. in the emergency room at UCLA Medical Center," the hospital said in a prepared statement. "He was brought to the emergency room at 6:08 p.m. by the paramedics in full cardiac arrest. After efforts of resuscitation, he was pronounced dead."
Harmon's son, Mark, an actor in television and movies, said funeral arrangements are pending.
Harmon, a tailback in Michigan's single-wing, was a triple threat to pass, run or punt. He also played defense.
He was named The Associated Press Athlete of the Year in 1940 and was the first pick in the NFL draft that year by the Chicago Bears. Instead, he signed with the Americans of a rival pro league.
iHe played for the Rams in 1946 and 1947, but his legs had been injured in World War II combat and he never matched the football success of his college years.
At Michigan, he gained 2,134 yards rushing on 398 carries, completed 101 of 233 passes for 1,396 yards, scored 33 touchdowns and led the nation in scoring in 1939 and 1940.
by CNB