Eastern Michigan Athletics
Former EMU Football Great Dave Pureifory Passes Away
3/9/2009 4:34:28 PM | Football, E-Gridiron Group
Memorial service set for March 28 at Brown Chapel in Ypsilanti
YPSILANTI, Mich. — Dave Pureifory (PURE-uh-foy), one of the all-time greats in Eastern Michigan University football history, died Wednesday, March 4. The 59-year-old had been battling a long-time illness. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, March 28, at noon at Brown Chapel, 1043 W. Michigan Avenue, in Ypsilanti.
Pureifory was the first player in school history to be named to three All-America teams and the only one to earn All-America honors in two seasons when he turned the feat in 1969 and 1970. Pureifory, who played for Eastern Michigan from 1968-71, led the 1970 squad in tackles-for-loss with 25 and turned in 56 for his career. For his efforts in that 1970 season, in which the EMU Hurons turned in five shutouts, Pureifory was named to All-America teams by the American Football Coaches Association, the NAIA and The Associated Press. He was elected to the EMU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981. During his collegiate career, Pureifory also competed on the EMU men's track team as a shot putter.
In 1971, Pureifory was named second-team All-America by The Associated Press and the American Football Coaches Association. He went on to enjoy an outstanding 11-year professional football career as a member of the Green Bay Packers (1972-77) the Detroit Lions (1978-82), the Pittsburgh Steelers (1978) and the Cincinnati Bengals (1978).
"The name Dave Pureifory was synonymous with Eastern Michigan University football," EMU Director of Athletics Dr. Derrick Gragg said. "Whenever former players talked about the history of football, they always mentioned the lengendary Dave Pureifory. We will miss him greatly."
After he completed his professional playing career, Pureifory was selected to the EMU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981.
