College Football Hall of Famer Loyd Phillips Passes Away

“We are saddened by the passing of Loyd Phillips, the first two-time All-American player in Arkansas history,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. “Nobody could close on a ball carrier quicker in the Southwest Conference in the 60s, and he was impossible to block. His contributions helped place the Razorbacks at the top of the college rankings. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, and we are proud to honor his accomplishments among the greatest to ever play at the Hall in Atlanta.”

Recruited by Hall of Fame Coach Frank Broyles out of Longview High School (TX), Phillips headed to Fayetteville as a defensive tackle and 230 pounds. During his sophomore season in 1964, he helped the Razorbacks finish 11-0 with the national title as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.

Phillips amassed 304 career tackles (100 in 1965, 97 in 1966), and he played on Razorback teams that compiled a 29-3 record from 1964-66, including three victories over Texas. He earned All-Southwest Conference accolades three times and First Team All-American honors twice. A unanimous First Team All-American selection in 1966, Phillips won the Outland Trophy as the nation’s best interior lineman.

The Chicago Bears drafted him in the first round with the 10th pick of the 1967 NFL draft. He played in 32 games during three seasons before a leg injury cut short his pro career with the Bears and then the Saints. Phillips went back to school and obtained a master’s degree in education. The degree led to a distinguished 37-year career in secondary education as an assistant principal and administrator in both the Springdale (Ark.) and Rogers (Ark.) school districts. After retiring, Phillips volunteered his time working with Horses for Healing, a program designed to provide therapy for special needs children.

Phillips is a member of the University of Arkansas All-Century team, the 1960s All-Decade Team, the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor, the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame, the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

Phillips is survived by his wife Betsy, and their son Mackenzie, who also played football for the Razorbacks from 1988-91, and daughter JoAnn. He is also survived by his younger brother Terry Don Phillips, who played for the Razorback from 1966-69 and is a former administrator with Razorback Athletics and the Razorback Foundation and later the athletics director at Oklahoma State and then Clemson.