Report: Former Bears quarterback died from cancer

According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, Bob Avellini died.

"Bob Avellini, who quarterbacked the Chicago Bears through some of the greatest seasons of Walter Payton’s career and helped the team make the playoffs in 1977, has died," Biggs wrote. "He was 70."

"A team official confirmed Avellini’s death and said he had been battling cancer."

Avellini, a native of New York City, was a standout quarterback for Maryland. The Bears drafted Avellini in the sixth round of the 1975 draft. He was known for teaming up with legendary running back Walton Payton and leading the Bears to the playoffs in 1977.

Avellini played with the Bears through the early part of the 1984 season, mainly as a backup quarterback in the early 1980s. He signed with the Jets in November of 1984 season. He missed the 1985 season but returned to play for the Dallas Cowboys in 1986. He played in three preseason games for the Cowboys before they cut him.

He finished his career with 7,111 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, and 69 interceptions.