Former Mississippi standout Crespino dies at 75

Robert “Bobby” Crespino (oldestlivingprofootball.com photo)

OXFORD – (AP) Robert “Bobby” Crespino, a tight end and receiver for some of Mississippi's best football teams from 1958 to 1960, died on Monday, July 29, in Atlanta. He was 75.

Robert “Bobby” Crespino (oldestlivingprofootball.com photo)

Cockrell Funeral Home in Macon, Miss., confirmed Crespino's death after a lengthy illness, but did not provide details of the illness.

The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Crespino played for three Ole Miss teams that had a combined 29-3-1 record and earned a share of two national championships in 1959 and 1960. He caught 30 passes for 408 yards and four touchdowns in 1960.

Crespino also played eight seasons in the NFL – three with the Cleveland Browns and five with the New York Giants.

He was inducted into the Ole Miss Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1994.

Funeral arrangements were held in Crespino’s native Macon, Miss., on Friday, Aug. 2.