Tom Keating was a hard-nosed defensive tackle, and he first made a name for himself as a football player at the University of Michigan. After a standout collegiate career with the Wolverines, Keating played in the old American Football League and National Football League. Keating played 11 professional seasons for the Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs. After retiring from football, Keating worked as a real estate investor and private detective, eventually opening his own agency.
College Days
Born in Chicago on Sept. 2, 1942, Keating prepped at St. Mel High School before heading to Ann Arbor and playing collegiate football at Michigan. Keating was a standout defensive linemen for the Wolverines from 1961 to 1963. In his final season, Keating was voted Michigan's Most Valuable Player. He was also named to the All-Big Ten team. Keating's younger brother Bill followed him to Michigan and played guard for the Wolverines from 1964 to 1965. Both brothers went on to play professional football.
On to the Pros
After leaving Michigan, Keating was drafted in 1964 by the American Football League's Buffalo Bills and the National Football League's Minnesota Vikings. The two leagues merged to form the NFL in 1970. Keating signed with Buffalo and spent two seasons with the Bills. Buffalo won AFL championships in 1964 and 1965, but Keating played sparingly due to inexperience and injury. Following the 1965 season, he was traded to the Oakland Raiders.
Finding a Home
Keating blossomed into a star defensive tackle while playing for the Raiders from 1966 to 1972. He was voted to play in the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons with Oakland and was named first team All-Pro in 1967. Keating anchored a dominant defensive line that included Ben Davidson, Dan Birdwell and Ike Lassiter. The Raiders went 13-1 in 1967, and the defense recorded 67 sacks and allowed the fewest rushing yards in the AFL. Keating played four more seasons with the Raiders before joining the Pittsburgh Steelers for one year. He played for the Kansas City Chiefs in 1974 and 1975 and retired from football at the age of 33. After his playing days ended, Keating worked in real estate investments with his brother Bill. He later became a private investigator and eventually opened his own agency.
Super Bowl II
Keating never won a championship ring during his 11-year pro football career, but he did play in a Super Bowl. In 1967, the Oakland Raiders met the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl II. Played in Miami's Orange Bowl, the Raiders lost to the Packers, 33-14. Keating started at right tackle for Oakland's dominant defense, nicknamed "The 11 Angry Men." Keating and the Raiders held Green Bay to 3 points in the first quarter but the defense tired as the game went on.
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