Charles Frederick "Chuck" Hughes (March 2, 1943 – October 24, 1971) was an American football wide receiver in the National Football League from 1967 to 1971. He is, to date, the only NFL player to die on the field during a game

Hughes was born on March 2, 1943 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[2] He moved with his family to Texas when he was young, along with his twelve siblings.[3] Hughes attended high school in Abilene, Texas

Hughes played college football at Texas Western College (now the University of Texas at El Paso)[2] where he is still listed in the all-time football records; his accomplishments include:

The most all-purpose yards in a single game, 401 in 1965 against North Texas State University (he is also second with 360 the same year against Arizona State University
The most yards per reception for a single game, 34.9, also in 1965 against North Texas—this is also an NCAA record
The most receptions in a single game, 17, also against Arizona State in 1965
Second in all-purpose yards for a season, with 2044 in 1966
First in all-purpose yards per game for a season, 204 in 1965
Second in all-purpose yards per game for his career with 132
Fifth in all-purpose yards all-time with 3,989
Second in career receiving touchdowns with 19 and yardage with 2,882

He was inducted into the UTEP Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006

Hughes was drafted in the fourth round by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1967 NFL Draft and played three seasons with the Eagles before he was traded to the Detroit Lions prior to the start of the 1970 season. Although listed as a wide receiver he saw most action on special teams, being a backup at wide receiver. In his five-year career he caught only 15 passes

On October 24, 1971 while playing for the Detroit Lions, he suffered a fatal heart attack during the final minutes of a game versus the Chicago Bears at Tiger Stadium in Detroit. He had run a pass route but was not part of the play, an incomplete pass intended for Lions tight end Charlie Sanders. He was jogging back to the huddle when he collapsed on the Bears' 15-yard line without contact.[3] Initially some thought he was faking an injury to stop the clock, but Bears linebacker Dick Butkus frantically signalled for help on the field.[6] It was obvious that he was in serious trouble, and the game was finished in near silence. His teammates were informed of his death before leaving the stadium. Hughes, as it turned out, suffered from advanced arteriosclerosis. The autopsy revealed that his coronary arteries were 75% blocked and that he was killed by a blood clot that completely cut the circulation to his heart muscle.[7] His family had a history of heart problems.[8] Hughes was buried in San Antonio, Texas, and all 40 of his Lions teammates attended his funeral, including head coach Joe Schmidt.[4] He is survived by his widow, Sharon Leah, and his son, who was 1 year and 11 months old at the time, Brandon Shane.[3] A $10,000 trust fund was set up for his son Brandon by an insurance company.[9] His widow filed a $21.5 million malpractice lawsuit against Henry Ford Hospital in 1972 for not diagnosing his condition when he was hospitalized after complaining of chest pains. The lawsuit was settled on October 3, 1974 for an undisclosed amount of money.[10]

The Lions retired his number, 85, in his honor, and annually make an award to the most improved player in his name.

Charles Hughes