Fisherman who fell overboard and died at Rayburn was former UT/NFL star Pete Lammons Jr.

LAKE SAM RAYBURN — DEVELOPING: The 77-year-old fisherman who fell off a boat and died Thursday during a tournament at Lake Sam Rayburn is identified as former NFL football star Pete Spencer Lammons Jr., who graduated from the University of Texas and played in the NFL, winning a Super Bowl in 1969 when the Jets led by quarterback Joe Namath stunned the Colts.

Texas Parks and Wildlife confirms that angler Pete Spencer Lammons Jr., 77 of Houston, was fishing near the San Augustine Park area on Sam Rayburn Reservoir when he fell overboard at about 10 a.m. Thursday. Game Wardens recovered his body Thursday afternoon.

Lammons was competing in the MLF Toyota Series event at Sam Rayburn.

Lammons was a former NFL football player who played tight end for the New York Jets from 1966-1971, including winning the AFL Championship with them in 1968 and Super Bowl III in 1969. He played in 95 games from 1966 to 1972, ending his career with 185 receptions, 2,364 yards and 14 touchdowns. Originally from Crockett, Texas, Lammons attended the University of Texas and led the Longhorns to a win over No. 1-ranked Alabama in the 1965 Orange Bowl.

Lammons was an experienced co-angler. This Toyota Series at Sam Rayburn tournament marked the 57th career MLF tournament that Lammons had competed in. His best finish was a third-place showing in 2019, competing on Sam Rayburn Reservoir in an MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League event.

At approximately 10:05 a.m. on Thursday, San Augustine County Game Warden Travis Fountain responded to a call about a fisherman that had fallen overboard on Sam Rayburn Reservoir near the San Augustine Park area.

Attempts were made to rescue Lammons by his boater but were unsuccessful.

Warden Fountain, along with the assistance of Wardens Austin Cryer and Doug Williams, were able to locate and recover Lammons’ body by using boats equipped with side scan sonar.

An autopsy has been ordered.

Competition at the Toyota Series at Sam Rayburn Reservoir event continued Friday. Anglers launched at 6:30 a.m. from the Umphrey Family Pavilion in Brookeland. Weigh-in will be held at the pavilion and will begin at 2:30 p.m. A moment of silence will be held for Pete Lammons and his family before the start of the weigh-in.

MLF will continue to release information as it becomes available. Updated information will also be posted on the MLF website, MajorLeagueFishing.com, as it becomes available.