AFL All-Star Earl Faison, Virginia native, dies at 77
6/24/2016, 9:27 a.m.
Native Virginian Earl Faison, a five-time American Football League All-Star with the San Diego Chargers, died Sunday, June 12, 2016, at his home in Prescott, Ariz.
He was 77.
Mr. Faison starred at Huntington High School in Newport News, where he led the Vikings to a combined six Virginia Interscholastic Association state championships in football, basketball and track and field.
The 6-foot-5, 270-pound defensive end, known as “Tree,” went on to gain All-American honors at Indiana University.
In 1961, Mr. Faison was selected seventh overall by San Diego in the AFL draft. He was Rookie of the Year in 1961 and was a ringleader on the Chargers’ 1963 AFL championship squad.
Following his playing career, Mr. Faison became a successful coach at San Diego’s Lincoln High School, where his stars included future Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Allen. He was later principal at San Diego’s University City High School.
He also dabbled in acting and appeared on “The Beverly Hillbillies” and “The Six Million Dollar Man” television shows.
Mr. Faison is a member of the Chargers, Indiana University and Virginia Sports halls of fame.
