Maryland Mourns the Passing of All-American Paul Vellano Sr.

1/11/2025 9:50:00 AM | Football

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The Maryland Football Family mourns the passing of all-time Terrapin great Paul Vellano Sr. ('73), who passed away this week at the age of 72.

Vellano Sr., who was inducted into the Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012, was an All-American defensive lineman for the Terps from 1971-73. He was named Honorable Mention All-American as a junior in 1972 and then a First Team All-American in 1973. Vellano Sr. was also a two-time All-ACC selection.

Vellano Sr. went on to be selected by the Chicago Bears in the 1973 NFL Draft and then played in the World Football League for the Florida Blazers and the San Antonio Wings.

Vellano Sr.'s son, Joe, was also an All-American for the Terps in 2011, making the family just the fourth fourth father-son duo to earn that honor while having played for the same school.

More information about Vellano Sr.'s life and his funeral service can be found here.

-MARYLAND-