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Bill Pellington: "Robbed Of His 4th Quarter"

Bill Pellington's son, Mark, recalls his father's career and ultimate death due to Alzheimer's Disease in this touching SB Nation video.


Bill Pellington played for the Baltimore Colts during their glory days. He was the captain of their defense, which included Gino Marchetti, Artie Donovan and Gene "Big Daddy" Lipscomb. The offense was led by legendary QB Johnny Unitas and also had RB Lenny Moore and WR Raymond Berry among others.

Pellington passed away in 1994 from the ravaging effects of Alzheimer's disease. His son, Mark, a successful film-maker, agreed to take part in this touching SB Nation video titled, Football Father: Violence, Rage, Dementia And The Love Between Father And Son." The full story is available on SB Nation's 'Longform.'

In the video, Mark details his father's career from the time he hitch-hiked to Westminster, Maryland, the Colts summer Training Camp, to how he was known as a dirty player and through the dementia that seemed to appear overnight and attributed by his son to the violence of the game, which back then was not "policed" by the league like it is today.

Towards the end of the eight-plus minute video, Mark speaks on how his father was "robbed of his fourth quarter" of his life, destined to be a mere shell of his former self until he finally succumbed to the disease. Regardless of whether you grew up in that era or are even a Baltimore Colts fan, this video is a must-watch. It is so incredibly well done, but also warm and touching tribute from a son to the memory of his now departed father.