Looking back on the career of Brad Van Pelt

Long before Eli Manning made No. 10 an untouchable jersey number for any future New York Giant player to wear, there was another star player who made No. 10 famous in New York.

- JOHN FENNELLY

Brad Van Pelt, a linebacker who exemplified the tough Giants defenses of the 1970s, wore No. 10 with dignity and gave the Giant fans something and someone to be proud of during the heart of the “Wilderness Years.”

Van Pelt was selected with the 40th overall pick in the 1973 NFL Draft, a pick the Giants received in the trade back of Fran Tarkenton (another great Giant who wore No. 10) to the Minnesota Vikings the year before.

BVP, as Giant fans would refer to Van Pelt, was an all-around athlete in high school in Owosso, Michigan in three sports (baseball, basketball, and football) and received interest from several MLB teams as a pitcher. Instead, Van Pelt headed off to Michigan State to play football.

As a 6-foot-5, 220-pound safety, BVP stood out and gained national attention, becoming a two time All-American and winning the Maxwell Award as the country’s best all-around player in 1972.

When Marty Schottenheimer became the Giants’ linebackers coach in 1975, Van Pelt was converted to linebacker after trying him at safety and tight end his first two seasons.