Phil Vandersea: key obituary facts
Is Phil Vandersea dead? Yes. Phil Vandersea died on October 24, 2026, at age 83.
Cause of death: Phil Vandersea's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Phil Vandersea known for?
He was an American football player.
More about Phil Vandersea
Born: 25 February 1943.
Place of birth: Whitinsville.
Gender: male.
Nationality: United States.
Education: Northbridge High School.
Also known as: Phillip John Vandersea.
Phil Vandersea, an American football player who played for the Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints and Montreal Alouettes, died October 24, 2026, aged 83.
Born Phillip John Vandersea on February 25, 1943, in Whitinsville, Massachusetts, he attended Northbridge High School. Football was one of three sports he played there, alongside baseball and basketball; in 1973, the school inducted him into its athletic hall of fame.
He continued his football career at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, playing for the Minutemen. At UMass, he played on defense and punted, while also excelling at fullback. In 1963, he was part of a Minutemen team that finished with an 8-0-1 record, an unbeaten season with one tie. As a senior in 1965, he rushed for 388 yards, the second-highest total on the team, and scored six touchdowns, ranking third in team scoring. Professionally, Vandersea played linebacker for four seasons in the NFL. His career included three clubs: Green Bay, New Orleans and Montreal.