Gordon Hudson, BYU Football All-American Tight End, Dies At 59

SALT LAKE CITY – One of the best tight ends in BYU and college football history, Gordon Hudson, has passed away at the age of 59.

According to an obituary submitted to the Deseret News, Hudson passed away of natural causes on Monday, September 27, in San Jose, California. A memorial service is projected to be held in 2022.

A member of the College Football Hall of Fame class of 2009, Hudson grew up in Washington before moving to Salt Lake City in his final year of high school in 1979. He prepped at Brighton High School after the second semester of his senior year.

Hudson, a dual-sport athlete who played football, basketball, and baseball, signed with BYU’s heralded 1980 recruiting class that featured Steve Young, Vai Sikahema, Adam Haysbert, and Todd Shell.

Gordon Hudson: Career at BYU

At 6-foot-4, 231-pounds, Hudson reinvented the tight end position during his time at BYU. After a year of primarily playing for the Junior Varsity team in 1980 as a linebacker, Hudson broke out as a star for the Cougars on offense in 1981, Jim McMahon’s senior year at quarterback, hauling in 67 catches for 960 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Like the QB factory under LaVell Edwards, Hudson’s production didn’t slow down after the departure of McMahon. Steve Young stepped in as quarterback and Hudson became the first BYU football player to be named a Consensus All-American as a junior in 1982. He earned the consensus All-American honors a second time in 1983 despite only playing in eight games after suffering a knee injury against Utah State. Despite the injury, he received an invitation to the 1984 Hula Bowl so pro scouts could interview the talented pass catcher.

Hudson finished his BYU career with 178 catches for 2,484 yards and 22 touchdown grabs. BYU was 30-7 overall in the three years Hudson was part of the varsity program.

Reinvented the tight end position

What you see from modern-day tight ends that can line up out wide but also block in the trenches, that was Hudson. Hudson had a knack for acrobatic one-handed catches that dazzled the national college football press in the 1980s.

After his BYU career concluded, Hudson was selected in the first round of the USFL Draft by the LA Express, joining Young. The Express selected Hudson with the 21st overall in the first round in 1984.

Once the USFL folded after the 1985 season, Hudson joined the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks selected Hudson with a first round selection in the Supplemental Draft. He ended up playing only year with the Seahawks in 1986.

According to Hudson’s obituary, you can send your favorite Gordon Hudson memory to GordonHudsonMemorial@gmail.com.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.

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