(AP)--Gary Jeter, a defensive lineman who played for the Giants and Rams during a 13-year NFL career, has died. He was 61.

The NFL Players Association said it was informed he died Wednesday. No cause or other details were given.

Jeter was drafted out of Southern California in 1977 by the New York Giants with the fifth overall selection. He played six seasons for them, then another six for the Rams and one in New England.

Knee and back problems plagued him in the NFL. But in his final season 1989, with the Patriots, Jeter had seven sacks.

Jeter finished with 52 sacks for his career, with a high of 11 1/2 in 1988. Sacks became an official statistic in 1983, the year he joined the Rams.

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