NASHVILLE, Tennessee. – Floyd Reese, the general manager who put together the roster for the Tennessee Titans’ only Super Bowl appearance, died Saturday. He was 73 years old.
His family informed the team of his death. Reese had cancer and was with his family when he died, according to a social media post on ESPN 102.5 The Game, the radio station where Reese worked until mid-December.
Reese spent 21 years with the Oilers / Titans as coach and executive, and remains the most successful general manager in franchise history.
“As CEO, he built a team that was a sustained success and helped guide our franchise through the toughest times and the toughest times,” said control owner Amy Adams Strunk. “His big eye for talent led him to some of the best players in our team’s history, which led the team to some of our greatest hits.”
Reese will be incorporated into the team’s ring of honor this season.
He wrote a trio of NFL Rookie of the Year recipients, starting with Eddie George in 1996, then Jevon Kearse in 1999 and Vince Young in 2006. He made Steve McNair, co-NFL MVP in 2003, l ‘s No. 3 general election in his second draft as general manager of the then Houston Oilers. Reese named McNair and George, the 14th overall selection of 96, as basic blocks. The 1999 Titans won 13-3 and reached the Super Bowl, losing to the St. Louis Cardinals. Louis Rams.
Among the survivors are his wife, Sally, children and grandchildren.