Former Cal Poly linebacker Mel Kaufman, who helped lead the Mustangs to the Division II national championship in 1980, died in his Santa Margarita home Saturday night, the school announced Monday.
The cause of death is yet to be announced, and an autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday. Funeral arrangements are pending at Atascadero’s Chapel of the Roses.
Kaufman, 50, was inducted into the Cal Poly Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993 after an illustrious NFL career spanning 1981 through 1988, when he started for the Washington Redskins during their Super Bowl seasons of 1982, 1983 and 1987.
He’d just finished his first year as a college assistant, serving as Cal Poly’s linebackers coach.
Kaufman’s being mourned at HailRedskins.com and HogsHaven.com. The Official Blog of the Washington Redskins published a file photo of him tackling Walter Payton, followed by a scanned article from his heyday.
Feel free to share any memories you may have had of him, or kind wishes, below.
Rest in peace, Mel.