Larry Stallings

Larry Joseph Stallings (born December 11, 1941) is a former American professional football player from Evansville, Indiana who spent 14 seasons as a linebacker with the St. Louis Cardinals of the National Football League.

A graduate of Reitz Memorial High School, Stallings went on to play college football at Georgia Tech before becoming one of the longest-tenured NFL players produced by Evansville. He was selected to the Pro Bowl following the 1970 season.

Reitz Memorial High School

Stallings was born and raised in Evansville and attended Reitz Memorial High School.

He played tackle for the Tigers and became one of the area’s top high school football players. As a senior, Stallings served as a team captain and helped lead Memorial to an undefeated season.

He earned All-City and All-State recognition in football and also played basketball for Memorial.

Stallings graduated from Memorial in 1959 before continuing his football career at Georgia Tech.

Georgia Tech

Stallings attended the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he studied civil engineering while playing football for the Yellow Jackets.

He lettered for Georgia Tech in 1960, 1961 and 1962, playing tackle during an era when players frequently transitioned between positions when reaching professional football.

Stallings graduated from Georgia Tech in 1963 with a degree in civil engineering.

NFL Career

Stallings attracted interest from both professional football leagues operating at the time.

The Buffalo Bills selected him in the ninth round of the 1963 AFL Draft, while the St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the 18th round of the NFL Draft with the 241st overall pick.

Stallings chose St. Louis and began his NFL career with the Cardinals in 1963.

Converted primarily to linebacker, Stallings developed into a durable fixture on the Cardinals defense.

He spent his entire 14-year NFL career with St. Louis, playing from 1963 through 1976.

Stallings appeared in 181 regular-season games and recorded nine interceptions during his career. Modern historical statistical reconstructions also credit him with 27.5 sacks.

Pro Bowl

Stallings’ finest individual recognition came during the 1970 season, when he was selected to the Pro Bowl.

His long career placed him alongside several notable Cardinals players of the era, including Hall of Famers Larry Wilson and Jackie Smith.

Stallings remained with the Cardinals through the 1976 season, making him one of the relatively rare NFL players to spend a career of that length with a single franchise.

Life Outside Football

Stallings put his Georgia Tech engineering education to use even while he was still playing professional football.

During NFL offseasons, he worked as a structural engineer with Laclede Steel Company in St. Louis. He later established his own company, Mac-Fab Products, which manufactured metal flooring and roof decking.

Stallings also served as a first lieutenant in the United States Army during 1967 and 1968 while continuing his NFL career.

After retiring from football, he also worked in broadcasting, including hosting a Cardinals pregame program on St. Louis radio station KMOX.

Evansville Legacy

Larry Stallings ranks among the most accomplished professional football players produced by Evansville.

From Reitz Memorial High School, he advanced to Georgia Tech and then spent 14 seasons in the NFL, all with the St. Louis Cardinals.

His career included 181 games, nine interceptions and a 1970 Pro Bowl selection, giving Stallings one of the longest NFL careers of any Evansville native.

His success also adds to Reitz Memorial’s remarkable football history, which has produced multiple NFL players over the years.