25 Facts About Fred Whittingham

Fred George "Mad Dog" Whittingham was an American football player and coach.

Fred Whittingham played as a linebacker in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, and Dallas Cowboys.

Fred Whittingham coached in the NFL and at the college level from 1973 to 2000.

Fred Whittingham was born in Boston, Massachusetts on February 4,1939.

Fred Whittingham was placed in state foster care until he was adopted by the Whittinghams, who lived in Warwick, Rhode Island, when he was nine months old.

Fred Whittingham attended Warwick Veterans Memorial High School where he played football, basketball, baseball, and track.

Fred Whittingham was an All-State selection in football, basketball, and track.

Fred Whittingham had a troubled youth and missed half of his senior season, which scared schools away, even though he was considered one of the best athletes in the New England area.

Fred Whittingham was voted as one of the 50 best athletes of the century in Rhode Island.

Fred Whittingham accepted a scholarship from Brigham Young University, after it was the only Division I school offer he received.

Fred Whittingham was a part of the Tom Lee boxing team, based on a recommendation he received to control his temper.

Fred Whittingham won the 1958 Intermountain Heavyweight Championship and the Regional Golden Gloves competition in Las Vegas, receiving offers to turn professional.

Fred Whittingham was a three-year starter in football, playing tight end on offense and defensive end on defense, while earning Little All-American honors in 1961.

Fred Whittingham was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Rams after the 1963 NFL draft.

Fred Whittingham injured his knee as a rookie and was placed on the injured reserve list.

Fred Whittingham played guard, before being waived on September 1,1965.

Fred Whittingham was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the 1967 NFL Expansion Draft, becoming the franchise's first starting middle linebacker.

In 1970, Fred Whittingham was signed as a free agent by the Boston Patriots.

On November 5,1971, Fred Whittingham was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles to replace an injured Bill Hobbs.

Fred Whittingham returned to Brigham Young University, in 1973 to coach under Lavell Edwards.

Fred Whittingham coached the linebackers and later became the defensive coordinator.

Fred Whittingham returned to college football in 1992 to be the defensive coordinator at Utah.

Fred Whittingham continued in that position until 2001 when he was fired by coach Ron McBride, at which time he encouraged his son to stay on as the defensive coordinator.

Later in life Fred Whittingham converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the same church that his wife was a member of and the same church that runs BYU.

Fred Whittingham died on October 27,2003, in a hospital in Provo, Utah of complications from back surgery.