Nick Rassas

Nicholas Charles Rassas^[1] (January 13, 1944 – September 1, 2025) was an American professional football player for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL) from 1966 to 1968.^[2] He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish under coaches Hugh Devore and Ara Parseghian.^[3]

Nick Rassas

No. 47, 27
Position	Safety
Personal information
Born	(1944-01-13)January 13, 1944 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Died	September 1, 2025(2025-09-01) (aged 81) Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight	190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school	Loyola Academy (Wilmette, Illinois)
College	Notre Dame (1961-1965)
NFL draft	1966: 2nd round, 17th overall pick
AFL draft	1966: 2nd round, 16th overall pick
Career history
Atlanta Falcons (1966–1968) New Orleans Saints (1970)*
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Awards and highlights
National champion (1964) Consensus All-American (1965)
Career NFL statistics
Interceptions 1 Fumble recoveries 2 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Rassas was portrayed as an underdog in the 2009 Jim Dent book Resurrection: The Miracle Season That Saved Notre Dame, which was based on the 1964 Fighting Irish team.^[4]

Rassas died on September 1, 2025, in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 81.^[5]

See also

• List of NCAA major college yearly punt and kickoff return leaders