Bruce Rhodes
| No. 23 | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Defensive back |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | April 17, 1952 San Francisco, California |
| Died: | February 23, 1981 (aged 28) San Francisco, California |
| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight: | 187 lb (85 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | San Francisco (CA) Woodrow Wilson |
| College: | San Francisco State |
| Career history | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Bruce Rhodes (April 17, 1952 – February 23, 1981) was an American football defensive back. He played for the San Francisco 49ers in 1976 and for the Detroit Lions in 1978.[1][2]
Rhodes was shot and killed on February 23, 1981, in San Francisco, California at age 28.[3] His wife was badly wounded after being shot three times. On September 16, 1981, 22-year-old ex-convict Bobby Joe Birden was found guilty of first degree murder, attempted murder, and robbery for the shootings. On October 14, 1981, Birden was sentenced to 34 years to life in prison.[4][5]
References
- ^ "Bruce Rhodes Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ^ "Bruce Rhodes, DB". Nfl.com. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ^ "Former professional football player Bruce Rhodes was shot to..." Upi.com. February 24, 1981. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ^ "Bobby Joe Birden, convicted in the drug-related murder of..." UPI. October 15, 1981. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
- ^ "Bobby Joe Birden, Petitioner-appellant, v. R.g. Borg, Respondent-appellee, 995 F.2d 230 (9th Cir. 1993)". Justia Law. May 26, 1993. Retrieved July 21, 2025.