productRiley Gunnels left the greatest impact on his family and the football world. Unfortunately, with the former NFL player’s death on December 9, 2024, everyone in his family and the NFL world is deeply saddened. But Riley Gunnels’ NFL accomplishments and legacy will always be remembered. During his seven seasons with the Steelers and Eagles, former DE showcased his dominance in the football world.
From winning the NFL Championship game against the Packers to earning the nomination for the team’s Defensive MVP in 1962, he truly solidified his status. And, for his athletic milestones, no one is as proud as his daughter, Tory. And sons, John Riley Gunnels III and Christopher “Skipper” Gunnels, who also carried his athletic legacy.
Who are Riley Gunnels’s children – Tory, John, and Chris?
Beyond his athletic life, former Steelers’s 10th-round pick in the 1959 NFL draft Riley had an impressive personal life. Atlanta, Georgia native exchanged his wedding vows with his wife, Kay McClatchy, in 1964. Later, ‘The Love of his Life’ and Gunnels welcomed their 2 sons, John and Chris, and one adorable daughter, Victoria LaCasse (Tory).
How should the NFL honor the legacy of players like Riley Gunnels who have left a lasting impact on the game?
Induct them into the Hall of Fame
Create a special tribute game
Establish a scholarship in their name
Share their stories more widely
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They also shared five grandchildren. Impressively, Gunnels’ sons were also involved in sports. Ex- longtime Ocean City resident’s son, John Gunnels III also played as the quarterback for the Ocean City High School’s South Jersey Group III title team in 1984.
John Riley Gunnels III’s football skills are also well-known factors. And, it was when he amazingly orchestrated an exciting 22–21 victory over Willingboro to win the championship on the Chimeras’ home ground.
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“I love my dad. He always set the example,” John Gunnels III remarked after his father’s demise. Additionally, he also added that his dad worked hard to establish his name. “He put all of his efforts into doing things the right way. He would do whatever it took to get to his goal, but he would go about it the right way and treat everybody right,” John stated per Philadelphiaeagles.com.
Not only this, John also adored his dad for his kind generosity. “He was literally a larger-than-life guy. And, ofcourse was a loving guy who led by example. He did everything hard, but was kind and gentle to everybody who wanted it and needed it,” he remarked further. It showcased that NFL Champion Riley Gunnels’s children have deep respect and gratitude for him.
Interestingly, not only John who carried his dad’s athletic legacy, but Riley Gunnels’ other son, Chris Gunnels, also played football for Ocean City in 1986. Not only this, he also played for Maryland University’s football team. One can say that Riley Gunnel greatly passed his athletic lessons to his sons. It might have helped him in shaping his football career.
However, there is very limited information available about Riley Gunnel’s daughter, Tory, beyond her name. But, impressively, in addition to Gunnels’s son playing football, the legacy also includes his 3 generation, John Riley Gunnels IV.
Have any of Riley Gunnels’ family members followed his footsteps to join the NFL?
John Riley Gunnels IV has also played for the Red Raiders as a promising freshman QB. And, for this, even the late Riley Gunnels was also grateful while talking about quarterback positions during an interview with OCNJ Daily, in 2019. “The interesting part is, I don’t really like quarterbacks very much, but I have two pretty good ones in my family,” he stated.
Another Riley’s grandson, Joe “Chugger” LaCasse also played for the Texas Tech Red Raiders as an offensive lineman. Besides this, he is also the co-owner of the Gunnels’ Printing Company.
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Besides this, Gunnels’s grandchildren, Abby and Ella also continue his athletic legacy. Appealingly, Abby also plays multiple sports. She diversifies her softball and basketball skills while playing for the at Cedar Creek High School.
Apart from that, she also serves as a cheerleader there. Gunnels and his family also own Signal Graphics, a printing company for the past 16 years. Gunnels remarked, “We’ve been able to maintain pretty good business,” as the family provides the customers with a valuable product, that guarantees reliability. For them, the customers are like family. Given such an outreach of the Gunnels family, everyone fondly remembers the memories of beloved Riley Gunnels.
