Howard Twilley RIP

[TU1NNJ]

Condolences and prayers for Panic and the Twilley Family.

From the TU website:

The University of Tulsa and Golden Hurricane Athletics mourn the loss of Howard Twilley, one of the greatest receivers in college football history, who passed away Wednesday at the age of 81.

Twilley set numerous NCAA receiving records in 1964 and 1965, catching 261 passes for 3,343 yards and 32 touchdowns in his career at UTulsa. His school record for career receiving yards stood for nearly 60 years, until being surpassed in 2022 by Keylon Stokes. Twilley had 95 receptions for 1,178 yards and 12 TDs in 1964, and 134 catches for 1,779 yards and 16 TDs in 1965, while leading Tulsa to Bluebonnet Bowl appearances in each of those two seasons.

A two-time All-American, including consensus first-team honors in 1965, Twilley finished his career as the 1965 Heisman Trophy runner-up. Twilley was inducted into the Tulsa Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984, the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992, and the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1995. His jersey, No. 81, was retired by the university.

Following his collegiate career, Twilley played with the Miami Dolphins from 1966 to 1976, making three trips to the Super Bowl, while winning two of them, including as a member of the Dolphins' undefeated season in 1972.

Our hearts and sympathies are with Twilley's family and his many friends.

 

[drboobay]

Condolences and prayers for Panic and the Twilley Family.

From the TU website:

The University of Tulsa and Golden Hurricane Athletics mourn the loss of Howard Twilley, one of the greatest receivers in college football history, who passed away Wednesday at the age of 81.

Twilley set numerous NCAA receiving records in 1964 and 1965, catching 261 passes for 3,343 yards and 32 touchdowns in his career at UTulsa. His school record for career receiving yards stood for nearly 60 years, until being surpassed in 2022 by Keylon Stokes. Twilley had 95 receptions for 1,178 yards and 12 TDs in 1964, and 134 catches for 1,779 yards and 16 TDs in 1965, while leading Tulsa to Bluebonnet Bowl appearances in each of those two seasons.

A two-time All-American, including consensus first-team honors in 1965, Twilley finished his career as the 1965 Heisman Trophy runner-up. Twilley was inducted into the Tulsa Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984, the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992, and the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1995. His jersey, No. 81, was retired by the university.

Following his collegiate career, Twilley played with the Miami Dolphins from 1966 to 1976, making three trips to the Super Bowl, while winning two of them, including as a member of the Dolphins' undefeated season in 1972.

Our hearts and sympathies are with Twilley's family and his many friends.

Sorry to hear this. My cousin was in his class at TU, passed away last week at 81, and as I understand may have dated Mr. Twilley during their time as students. We are losing too many great people recently. Very sad.

 

['Cane-man]

Howard Twilley was the first athlete I got an autograph from. I was probably 8 and it was 1963, the year before Twilley really took off. It was on Harwell Field and practice had just ended. I didn't know who he was, but he was a TU football player. He signed one of those little grade school notebooks I had. He said "aw, you don't want my autograph." I told him I did and he signed it and I thanked him.

I showed my dad that night and asked him "who is Hound Turley?", which I thought the autograph said. He looked at it and said "that's Howard Twilley, I heard he's supposed to be pretty good." He certainly was.

Condolences to Panic and the rest of his family. RIP, Howard Twilley.

 

[TU_BLA]

I am sad to hear this news. I never had the opportunity to see him play at TU or the in the NFL (I was 4 when he played his last game). But I did have the privilege to hear him speak during a couple Friday Noon Lunches at the TU Wesley foundation in the late 90s. Somehow Charlie had an in with him and he would come and speak to the group if he was available. His faith journey was always impressive to hear especially for individuals who had doubt about their own personal faith. Of course everyone wanted a picture with him and he'd always bring the Super Bowl rings with him. I told my dad about meeting him and he'd go into how Twilley would dismantle the Patriots DBs when they played.

RIP Mr. Twilley and may your legacy at TU always burn brightly

 

[TU65alum]

Our hearts and sympathies are with Twilley's family and his many friends.

Enjoyed watching Howard while I was at TU. He was a great person.

 

[dlsnid]

I was there when we beat the dog out of OSU 61 to 14. That was probably our best team ever in 1964 we had national championship Arkansas down 14 to 0 but we didn’t have a good punter he kicked one straight up and wind caught it and we lost yardage. Twilley with Rhome was unstoppable. Lots of fun to go watch them. We should’ve won the heisman two years in a row