Phil Wise, an American football defensive back in the National Football League, died on March 13, 2026, at age 76.
He was selected by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 1971 NFL draft and played nine NFL seasons, including with the Jets from 1971 to 1976 and the Minnesota Vikings from 1976 to 1979. Wise played college football for the South Dakota Coyotes and Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks.
He finished his NFL career with 92 games and six interceptions.
Phil Wise (April 25, 1949 – March 13, 2026) was an American professional football player who was a defensive back in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the New York Jets in the sixth round (136th overall) of the 1971 NFL draft. Wise was 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m), 192 lb (87 kg) safety who played college football for the South Dakota Coyotes and Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks. Wise played in nine NFL seasons from 1971 to 1976 with the Jets, and 1976 to 1979 with the Minnesota Vikings. He finished his NFL career with 92 games and six interceptions.