Robert Hayden Avellini was an American professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League, primarily with the Chicago Bears.
17 Facts About Bob Avellini
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Bob Avellini played college football for the Maryland Terrapins and was selected by the Bears in the sixth round of the 1975 NFL draft.
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Bob Avellini finished his career with the New York Jets, for whom he did not appear in a game.
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Bob Avellini played college football at the University of Maryland and was a sixth round selection of the Bears in the 1975 NFL draft.
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Bob Avellini played for the Bears from 1975 to 1984, primarily serving as a backup quarterback during his NFL career.
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Fully established as the Bears starter in 1976, Bob Avellini started all 14 games, throwing for 1,580 yards, although with 15 interceptions to only 8 touchdowns.
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Bob Avellini improved those numbers in 1977, passing for 2,004 yards while starting every game for the Bears.
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Bob Avellini continued in this capacity, playing behind Phipps, Vince Evans, and Jim McMahon until the 1984 season, seeing little action on the field.
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Bob Avellini had started only five games since the end of the 1978 season.
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Bob Avellini signed with the New York Jets in mid-November, where he ended his playing career after the 1984 season.
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Bob Avellini made a brief comeback in 1986 with the Dallas Cowboys, starting three preseason games, but was released at the final cut deadline.
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In May 2009, Bob Avellini was arrested for driving under the influence and acquitted for the third time.
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Bob Avellini had been convicted of the offense in 2002.
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On November 19,2014, Bob Avellini was sentenced to 18 months in prison for his 3rd DUI.
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Bob Avellini declared bankruptcy on February 27,2012, listing debts of more than $2.2 million and assets of $1.3 million.
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Bob Avellini was actively involved in a number of Chicago area charitable organizations.
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Bob Avellini died from pancreatic cancer on May 4,2024, at the age of 70.