AUSTIN, Texas -- Jim Hudson, the former New York Jets safety who helped the team to its only Super Bowl title in 1969, has died. He was 70.
The team confirmed Thursday on its official site that Hudson died Tuesday in Austin. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Hudson was a starting safety against the Baltimore Colts, making a key play in the first half of the Super Bowl victory. The Colts were trailing 7-0 when they tried a flea-flicker from Earl Morrall to Tom Matte and back to Morrall, who never saw a wide-open Jimmy Orr waving his arms near the goal line. Instead, Morrall threw to Jerry Hill near the Jets 10, but Hudson stepped in front of the toss for an interception that ruined the Colts' potential scoring drive.
The former University of Texas player had six tackles in the 16-7 win, and finished with 15 career interceptions in six seasons with the Jets.
Hudson is the second member of the championship team to pass away in the last few months. Wide receiver George Sauer, Hudson's former college teammate who caught eight passes from Joe Namath in the Super Bowl, died in May at 69.
Hudson, born in Steubenville, Ohio, was a defensive back and quarterback for the Longhorns and helped lead them to the national championship in 1963. He also threw a 69-yard touchdown pass to Sauer in the 1965 Orange Bowl -- a 21-17 victory over Namath's Alabama squad. Hudson later signed with the Jets as a free agent.
According to the Jets, Hudson and former NFL quarterback John Hadl went into real estate together in the Austin area after their playing careers were over. Hudson also trained quarterhorses and thoroughbreds in Texas and Louisiana.
Hudson, inducted into the Texas Men's Hall of Honor last year, is survived by wife Lise.
Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press
