National Football League

Tom Janik, former AFL-NFL player, dies at 69

Published Nov. 25, 2009 9:45 p.m. ET

foxsports

Tom Janik, a former AFL-NFL player who in 1968 intercepted a pass by Joe Namath and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown, has died. He was 69. Vinyard Funeral Homes says Janik died Saturday in Poth, about 35 miles from San Antonio. Janik, a defensive back and punter, made 25 interceptions in eight AFL seasons with Denver, Buffalo and Boston. The touchdown return against Namath and the New York Jets was one of six in Janik's career. Janik played one year with the New England Patriots after the AFL-NFL merger. In college, he played one season at Texas A&M and three at Texas A&I, now Texas A&M-Kingsville.