According to a statement from the team, former Indiana standout tailback John Isenbarger passed away this week. His age was 76 years.
A brief statement from Indiana University said, “Indiana University mourns the loss of All-American & IU Hall of Famer John Isenbarger.”
Indiana revealed his honors from a stellar collegiate football career:
Won football letters in 1967, 1968 and 1969…tailback and punter on Indiana’s 1967 Big Ten Co-Championship and Rose Bowl team…Indiana’s Most Valuable Player in 1969…first team All-Big Ten in 1969…earned All-American honors in both 1967 and 1969…set Indiana season and career rushing records…led Hoosiers in rushing and punting three straight years and had an IU record 1,217 rushing yards in 1969…played in the East-West, All-American, Hula Bowl and College All-Star games…played professionally with the San Francisco 49ers.
In 1970, Isenbarger was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round after having an outstanding career with the Indiana Hoosiers. After signing on as a running back, he would switch to wide receiver in his third season of play.
He was a member of the 49ers for all four of his NFL seasons, during which he amassed 370 total yards and two touchdowns.