Bob Young (offensive lineman)

Robert Allen Young (September 3, 1942 – June 17, 1995) was an American football offensive guard who played 16 seasons in the National Football League (NFL).

Early life
Young was born September 3, 1942, in Marshall, Texas, to Richard and Laverne Young. He spent his childhood in Brownwood, Texas where he set the state (class 4A) shot put record in 1960.

College career
Young started his college career at Texas where he was named the Southwest Conferences outstanding freshman lineman, but in 1961 he transferred to Howard Payne University to be closer to home. At HPU he competed in both football and track, where he threw the shot put.

Pro career
He started his career with the Denver Broncos, playing five seasons. However, he is noted mainly for his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he and other Cardinal offensive linemen are credited with introducing modern weightlifting/powerlifting into the training regime of the NFL. He was named to two Pro Bowls (1978 & 1979) and was a first-team All-Pro selection in 1979 as well.

In 1986, he was inducted into the Howard Payne University Sports Hall of Fame for his playing career in football along with track and field.

Power lifting
He was the older brother of three-time world powerlifting champion Doug Young.

Young competed in the inaugural World's Strongest Man contest in 1977, finishing second to weightlifter Bruce Wilhelm. He also finished 5th in the 1979 World's Strongest Man.

Coaching career
After his pro career, Young coached in the USFL from 1982 to 1986 as an offensive line coach for the Houston Gamblers. He coached offensive line at University of Houston from 1987 to 1989, and for the Houston Oilers from 1990 to 1995.

Death
Young died of a heart attack at age 52.