Carl Weathers Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Actor Carl Weathers on the red carpet prior to the start of the 2017 NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
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Carl Weathers, who played in the NFL before beginning a lengthy film career that included an iconic role as Apollo Creed in four “Rocky” films, died Thursday.

Weathers was 76.

Weathers’ manager, Matt Luber, confirmed his death.

The New Orleans native played college football at San Diego State, and went undrafted in 1970 before signing with the Oakland Raiders.

The 6-foot-2 linebacker would play only two NFL seasons, but his toughness and leading-man appearance immediately earned him Hollywood roles beginning with a uncredited part in the 1973 Clint Eastwood film “Magnum Force.”

But Weathers is best remembered for his role as Creed, the nemesis of Rocky Balboa (played by Sylvester Stallone) in the first first two “Rocky” movies. He became Balboa’s friend and trainer in the next two films in the franchise.

Other notable film roles included star turns in “Predator,” “Happy Gilmore” and “Action Jackson.” He also worked as a TV actor for almost 50 years, including a recent role in “The Mandalorian,” which earned him an Emmy Award nomination.

Weathers recently made an NFL-related appearance, in a commercial for Rob Gronkowski’s FanDuel Super Bowl field goal challenge.

Tributes to Weather poured in from the sports and entertainment worlds.

[Deadline Hollywood]

About Arthur Weinstein

Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.

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