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Miller Farr
Miller Farr, a former cornerback who played for 10 seasons in the American Football League and the National Football League, died at the age of 80 on July 18.
He was born April 8, 1943 in Beaumont and was part of a family full of professional football players. He is the older brother of former NFL player Mel Farr as well as the uncle of former players Mel Farr, Jr. and Mike Farr; and cousins Lem Barney and Jerry LeVias. He is also the cousin of singer Marvin Gaye.
Farr and his brother attended Hebert High School. While at Hebert, he lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track, and was named all-state in football, baseball, and track. He graduated in 1961.
He attended Wichita State University, lettering in football and track. In his senior year, as a halfback, Farr led the nation in kickoff and punt returns. He was also a teammate of former NFL player and head coach Bill Parcells.
The 6-foot-1 Farr was a first-round draft choice by the AFL's Denver Broncos in the 1965 Red Shirt draft, then went to the San Diego Chargers for 1965 and 1966. He played defensive back for the Houston Oilers from 1967-69. During the 1967 season, Farr was the AFL co-leader in interceptions with 10 with two other players.
Despite a bout with hepatitis, Farr intercepted two passes for touchdowns in one game in 1968. He led the AFL in interception touchdowns that year and was selected All-AFL and All-Pro.
Following the AFL–NFL merger, Farr signed with the St. Louis Cardinals and played from 1970-72 and ended his NFL career in 1973 with the Detroit Lions with his brother, Mel. He finished his NFL career with 35 interceptions with six touchdowns, four fumble recoveries in 113 games.
In 1974, he played with the Florida Blazers of the World Football League.
A three-time American Football League All-Star, Farr established an AFL record for the most touchdowns on pass interceptions in a game (2) and tied the AFL record for a season (3). He was selected to the All-Time All-AFL second-team.
After retiring from football, Farr became the general manager at a successful auto dealership in Michigan.
He is one of the 16 pro football players given the keys to the city of Beaumont when in 1971, Mayor Ken Ritter declared the Golden Triangle as the "Football Capital of the World." He also resides in the Museum of the Gulf Coast, Sports Hall of Fame.
A funeral service for Farr is 11 a.m. Monday, July 31 at the Crossover Bible Fellowship in Houston. Interment is at Brookside Memorial Park in Houston.