Former Notre Dame QB Blair Kiel Found Dead

Former Notre Dame QB Blair Kiel passed away on Sunday at the age of 50.

According to Brian Hamilton of the Chicago Tribune, the freshman starter in 1980 was at a relative’s house when a 911 call was placed. He was rushed to Columbus Regional Hospital in Indiana and attempts were made to revive the man to no avail.

Kiel spent four years with the Fighting Irish, finishing his career with 44 games played while throwing for 17 touchdowns and 32 interceptions. He may best be remembered for holding the record for longest pass play in school history—a 96-yard TD strike in 1981.

His nephew, Gunner Kiel, is an incoming freshman at Notre Dame and was one of the most highly regarded recruits in the 2012 class. Gunner is involved in a four-way QB controversy right now and attempting to win the starting job. 

The hospital announced Blair dead at 12:21 p.m. on Sunday, and initial reports are that he died of natural causes. It will take a bit to get back tissue and toxicology tests, and rumors of a heart attack aren’t being confirmed at this time.

Kiel, who was an 11th-round NFL draft pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1984, was still highly regarded by his former teammates.

Hamilton interviewed Irish RB and teammate Allen Pinkett, who said,

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"Gerry Faust came in (in 1981) and benched him a couple times," Pinkett said. "Blair never complained, he never made a scene, and he was always a leader. If there's one thing I'll always remember about Blair, it was his ability to keep his head up and deal with circumstances that were beyond his control."

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Blair finished his NFL career with 25 games played in five seasons with the Bucs, Colts and Packers from 1984-1991.