NFL veteran, Texas All-American Terry Tausch dies at 61

MINNEAPOLIS -- Terry Tausch, an All-American offensive lineman at Texas and eight-year NFL veteran who played for the Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers , has died. He was 61.

The Longhorns announced that Tausch passed away Wednesday night at his home in Plano, Texas. His older brother, Gary Tausch, told San Antonio TV station KENS that the death was "sudden." He did not cite a cause.

Tausch was a second-round draft pick by the Vikings in 1982, playing seven seasons for them. He was their starting right guard for five years, until joining the 49ers in 1989 in what was his final NFL season. It ended with a Super Bowl ring.

"He was very quiet, always did his job and never backed down from anybody," former Vikings quarterback Tommy Kramer said in an interview for the team's website. "He was a great teammate. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.''

The native of New Brauenfels, Texas, was recruited by the Longhorns as a tight end. He moved to tackle, was a four-year letter winner and selected as a first-team Associated Press All-American as a senior in 1981. He was inducted into the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor in 2001.

The Longhorns said Tausch was survived by his wife, Ela, and sons, Nicholas and Eric, who played college football at Notre Dame and TCU, respectively.