The life and death of Chuck Hughes

Detroit Lions receiver, bottom, is seen during the game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Oct. 24, 1971, a game in which he died after suffering a fatal heart attack caused by a blood clot in an artery.

Detroit Lions' wide receiver Chuck Hughes lies on the field at Tiger Stadium, October 24, 1971 as Chicago Bears' Dick Butkus and two officials await assistance in the closing minutes of the an NFL game. Hughes died within the hour at Ford Hospital of an apparent heart attack caused by a blood clot

While the helmet of Chuck Hughes, Detroit Lions' wide receiver, lies near spot where he fell in the closing minute of play Oct. 24, 1971, between the Lions and Chicago Bears, team doctor Edwin Guise, bends over Hughes, at right. Hughes, 28, had just finished a pass pattern, when he stumbled and fell. He died later in a Detroit hospital.

Pall bearers Bill Munson, Steve Owens, and Harry Jones, who was hughes' roommate, carry the casket at the funeral of Lions player Chuck Hughes on Oct. 26, 1971.

Sharon Hughes attends the funeral of her husband, Detroit Lions player Chuck Hughes, on Oct. 26, 1971, in Detroit.

Detroit Lions player Charley Sanders and Detroit Tigers player Al Kaline talk while standing outside the funeral of Lions player Chuck Hughes on Oct. 26, 1971.

Chuck and Sharon Hughes on their wedding day in February 1971.

Chuck Hughes holds his infant son, Brandon Shane Hughes, in November 1969.

This portrait of Chuck Hughes’ son, Brandon Shane Hughes, was taken about one month before his father died on Oct. 24, 1971. Chuck never saw this photo. Sharon Hughes said she returned to El Paso immediately after Chuck died. Dru Robb, wife of Chuck's Lions teammate, Joe Robb, retrieved the portrait package from the photographer and sent them to Sharon.

Chuck Hughes is seen wearing a suit before reporting to Detroit Lions training camp in the summer of 1971, a few months before his death.

(from left) UTEP 'Three Musketeers' Hall of Famers Chuck Hughes, Billy Stevens and Bob Wallace.

Billy Stevens, college football teammate of Chuck Hughes, stands with Sharon Hughes, widow of the late Chuck Hughes.

(from left) Detroit Lions teammates Steve Owens, Greg Landry, Chuck Hughes and an unidentified teammate enjoy a cold one together.

Former Detroit Lions quarterback Greg Landry, who had been a friend of Chuck Hughes, watches Lions football training camp in Allen Park, Mich., Monday, July 31, 2017.

FILE - In this Nov. 26, 1970, file photo, Detroit Lions quarterback Greg Landry looks for Chuck Walton somewhere downfield during an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders in Detroit. Landry was a friend and teammate of Chuck Hughes.

Lions quarterback Greg Landry in a game against San Francisco in Detroit in 1970.