Jerry Latin, who played running back for the St. Louis Football Cardinals from 1975 to 1978, passed away at 71.
One of the greatest football players from Rockford, Illinois, Latin starred at Rockford East High School and played college football at Northern Illinois University.
Highlights
- The Cardinals selected Jerry Louis Latin in the 1975 NFL Draft.
- Latin passed away on February 19, 2025, at 71, at his home in Rockford, Illinois.
- He is survived by his son, Jeremy Latin, an executive chef at Winter Park Resort, Colorado.
He went through an injury during his senior season in DeKalb but was selected by the Cardinals as their eleventh-round pick in the 1975 NFL Draft.
During his stay in St. Louis, Latin backed up Pro Bowl running back Terry Metcalf. But he got his chance to shine in the 1975 season finale against the Detroit Lions.
He was traded to the Los Angeles Rams two games into the 1978 season, where he played sparingly the rest of the year before retiring.
Latin rushed for 560 yards and had 152 receiving yards during his four-year NFL career and scored four touchdowns.
After retiring, he returned to Rockford, where he played a few seasons of minor league football, coached some youth football, and enjoyed playing golf.
He also promoted golf in the Black community for decades as a key Rockford Sportsman’s Golf Association member, which ran the Ballard tournament for over 50 years.
The Ballard raised more than $100,000 in college scholarships for Black golfers.
East Football Star Jerry Latin Died Due To An Undisclosed Reason
Jerry Louis Latin, born on August 25, 1953, in Prescott, Arkansas, United States, passed away on February 19, 2025, at 71.
However, the exact reason behind his death has not been reveal yet by his family.
Latin’s great friend Russell Pope took to his Facebook handle and sent love and prayers to his family. He wrote,
Jerry great friend , Mr. Latin and Ira Matthews continue to make history. RIP my brother in Christ Jesus . Mr. Jerry Latin received his on going wings this morning. I can’t say enough about his love for his family and true friends .
Russell Pope
Nancy Joan Kauzlarich, grant data administrator at Rockford Park District, poured a tribute and remembered the time working with Latin by stating,
It was a pleasure working with Jerry on the Ballard tournament as it rotated with Elliot Golf Course and Sandy Hollow Golf Course with Ingersoll Golf Course serving as the host course for the first round during my 40+ year tenure in Golf Services. A longtime member of the Golf Advisory member too. A wonderful person through and through! You will be missed!
Nancy Joan Kauzlarich
Latin’s childhood friend Jay Garnhart also poured a tribute. He wrote,
One of my childhood’s best friend passed away this morning Jerry Latin.
Jay Garnhart
Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary John B Newson Jr sent prayers to Latin’s family by stating,
We thank God for the life of Jerry Latin. Condolences to the family. Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 2 Cor. 5:8 (NLT)
John B Newson Jr.
Latin’s nephew Jourdyn Jefferson, Dairy Queen manager, shared the post of Rockford Register State and mourned the tragic loss. She wrote,
Get your rest, Uncle Jerry
Jourdyn Jefferson
Former Cardinal tight end Jerry Holloway, who also starred at Rockford East High School, said Latin was a”quiet kind of guy.” He added,
“We called him one of the smoothest running backs that ever came out of northern Illinois,”
Jerry Holloway
Other close ones and relatives also offered their heartfelt condolences and encouraged Latin’s family to stay strong in this challenging period.
He will always be remembered for his unforgettable contributions to the Rockford football team and the black golf community.
Son Jeremy Latin Is Mourning The Loss Of His Father Jerry Latin
Jerry Latin had a son, Jeremy Latin, with his wife, whose identity has been kept private.
According to his Facebook, Jeremy lives in Tabernash, Colorado, and graduated from Jefferson High School in 2001.
Later, he studied Culinary Arts at Le Gordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Scottsdale from 2011 to 2012.
He is the Executive Sous Chef at Winter Park Resort, The Spa Man, and Vertical Bistro & Tap.
Recently, Jeremy shared a photo of his father, Jerry, on his Facebook handle and wrote,
Sorry I couldn’t home in time dad I will miss and love you
Jeremy Latin
Additional Information
- Jerry Latin was the first 2,000-yard rusher in NIC-10 history. He went on to star for NIU and play three years in the NFL for the St. Louis Cardinals, including a 112-yard game against the Lions in 1975.
- Latin was 5 feet 10 inches or 178 cm tall and weighed 86 kg or 190 lbs.
- He had an estimated net worth of around $2 million at the time of his passing.
