18 Facts About Lonnie Warwick

Lonnie Preston Warwick was an American professional football player who was a linebacker for 10 seasons in the National Football League, with the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons.

In 2013, Lonnie Warwick was inducted to the West Virginia North-South Football Hall of Fame.

Lonnie Warwick attended at the University of Tennessee for a year.

Lonnie Warwick ended up working for the Southern Pacific Railroad in Arizona for a year, before signing a free agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings in 1964.

Lonnie Warwick became the starting middle linebacker of the legendary Purple People Eaters Vikings defense of the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Lonnie Warwick was named the "meanest man" in football by former teammate Joe Kapp.

Lonnie Warwick led the Vikings in tackles for four years, and returned a blocked punt for a touchdown in 1965.

Lonnie Warwick had four interceptions and recovered two fumbles during the 1969 season, and caught three interceptions in 1970.

Lonnie Warwick was the starting linebacker in Super Bowl IV, where the Kansas City Chiefs upset the heavily favored Vikings.

Lonnie Warwick played despite spraining his left ankle during the National Football League Championship Game against the Cleveland Browns the previous week.

Lonnie Warwick was injured with knee problems for most of 1971, where he played four games, and 1972, playing just six games.

Lonnie Warwick became a member of the Atlanta Falcons in 1973, after being unable to reach a contract agreement with the Vikings.

Lonnie Warwick played for the Falcons in all fourteen games in both 1973 and 1974 before retiring.

In 1975, Lonnie Warwick came out of retirement to play for the San Antonio Wings of the World Football League, which folded before the end of season.

Lonnie Warwick became a coach for the Washington Redskins for several years, where he occasionally suited up as a player.

Lonnie Warwick coached at Salem University, semi-professional teams in West Virginia, and with the Denver Gold of the United States Football League.

Lonnie Warwick later resided in Mount Hope in Fayette County, West Virginia, where he helped out local high school football teams.

Lonnie Warwick died on October 28,2024, at the age of 82.