Longtime NFL executive Bill Tobin has died at age 83. The news was announced by the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday.
Tobin had worked for the Bengals since 2003 as a scouting consultant in the player personnel department, currently run by his son Duke.
“With Bill, I respected everything he said,” said Bengals president Mike Brown on the team website. “I just took it for granted. He had an eye for players and how they would develop. If he said the guy was a good player, then he was a good player; that’s all I needed to know. We will miss him.”
Prior to working with the Bengals, Tobin had an acclaimed career as general manager of the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts. He was also director of player personnel for the Detroit Lions. During his career, he drafted eight Hall of Famers, including Marshall Faulk and Marvin Harrison with the Colts.
Rest in peace, Bill Tobin, our GM from 94-96. Bill was a tough old-time football player, starting out as a player in the old AFL. He lived a magical life associated with the game he loved, and our league will miss him. My love and prayers for Bill’s family pic.twitter.com/I9IvJLPUBe
-Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) April 19, 2024
Among NFL Draft followers, Tobin may be best known for his criticism of ESPN analyst Mel Kiper during the 1994 draft. The Colts selected Faulk with the second pick, but later drafted linebacker Trev Alberts when many observers thought the team needed to draft a quarterback — specifically, Trent Dilfer.
ESPN reporter Chris Mortensen interviewed Tobin shortly after and raised the issue of not drafting a quarterback. The general manager responded by going after his most vocal critic, the person who destroyed Tobin on air, creating a memorable moment in sports television.
“Who the hell is Mel Kiper, anyway?” Tobin asked, providing a line that has become infamous in NFL Draft history. “I mean, here’s a guy who criticizes everyone, whoever. He has the answers to who you should and shouldn’t take.”
“From what I know about him, he has never, ever put on a jockstrap,” Tobin continuedas ESPN showed Kiper listening on camera.
“He’s never been a coach, he’s never been a scout, he’s never been an administrator, and all of a sudden he’s an expert,” Tobin added. “He’s been in our papers for two days, telling us who we should take. We don’t need to take anyone Mel Kiper says we should take. Mel Kiper has no more credentials to do what he’s doing than my neighbor, and my neighbor is a mailman and he doesn’t even have NFL season tickets.”
Kiper was among those who expressed condolences to Tobin on social media.
A sad day with the passing of Bill Tobin, a gifted executive who made the NFL a better league during his decorated career. Kim and I send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.
-Mel Kiper Jr. April 19, 2024
Despite many believing the Colts needed to upgrade with a younger QB instead of Jim Harbaugh, Tobin seemed smart to stick with his veteran as Indianapolis advanced to the AFC championship game as a wild card. Harbaugh played two more seasons for the Colts as the organization’s bridge to Peyton Manning (drafted by Bill Polian, who replaced Tobin).
Meanwhile, Dilfer had a modest NFL career, although he did win a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens. Alberts played in 29 games in three seasons with the Colts.
