Edward Homer Blaine, a former professional football player and esteemed cardiovascular researcher, died on March 22, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of 86. A standout athlete who transitioned into a brilliant scientific mind, Blaine left an indelible mark on both the gridiron and the field of medical pharmacology. His life was defined by a rare combination of physical prowess and intellectual curiosity.

Born on January 30, 1940, in Farmington, Missouri, Blaine excelled early on as a student-athlete. He attended the University of Missouri as a pre-medicine student, where he became a dominant force on the offensive line for the Tigers football team. Under legendary coach Dan Devine, Blaine earned first-team All-American and All-Big Eight honors in 1961, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest linemen in the university's history.

Blaine's athletic achievements led to his selection by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 1962 NFL Draft. During his rookie season, he won an NFL Championship playing under the iconic coach Vince Lombardi. He was subsequently traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he played from 1963 to 1966 and earned All-Pro honors in 1964. Despite his success on the field, Blaine made the extraordinary decision to retire from professional football at the peak of his career to pursue his passion for science.

Returning to academia, Blaine completed his medical training and defended his doctoral dissertation in 1969. He embarked on a highly successful career as a research scientist, focusing on kidney function, hypertension, and heart failure. His groundbreaking work in both industry and academia eventually led him back to his alma mater, where he served as the Director of the Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center and as a professor of medical pharmacology and physiology at the University of Missouri.

Beyond his professional accolades, Blaine was a man of diverse interests who loved singing and playing the guitar. He shared many years with his wife, Susan Cring, with whom he had two children, Jennifer and Mark, before later sharing his life with his longtime partner, Marilyn Starwalt. Inducted into both the University of Missouri Hall of Fame and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, Blaine's extraordinary journey from the NFL trenches to the forefront of cardiovascular research remained a testament to his boundless drive and originality.