There was knowledge to Denny Glick’s comment about his father, Gary Glick, and his teammates when they played football at Colorado A&M more than 60 years ago.

“That was a tough old bunch of guys,” Denny Glick said Thursday, fitting his father into a unique place in the sports history of Fort Collins and Colorado A&M, now Colorado State.

Gary Glick died Thursday morning at age 84 at his home in Fort Collins after suffering a stroke.

Glick’s legacy was formed at a time when Colorado A&M turned out a long list of prominent football players coached by Bob Davis. They went from Colorado Field to the NFL. Glick’s journey was sensationalized when he went to the Pittsburgh Steelers as a bonus pick in the 1956 college draft. Being the bonus pick meant that Glick was the first player chosen. He played quarterback and linebacker for Colorado A&M but was drafted as a defensive back.

“He did everything for us but punt,” Davis said after Glick was drafted. “He’s the greatest prospect we’ve ever had in Colorado. He simply can’t miss in the pro league.”

Glick settled on the safety position in the pros and played from 1956-63 for the Steelers, Washington Redskins, Baltimore Colts and San Diego Chargers.

While at A&M he was part of an era of players that made the school famous in football lore. He wore the helmet with Rams horns along with Fum McGraw, Jack Christiansen, Jim David, Dale Dodrill, Alex Burl and younger brother Fred Glick.

Gary Glick grew up on a dairy farm near Fort Collins. He’s remembered as a down-to-earth person who lived out his life in Fort Collins.

“I remember Dad working out in City Park when he was still playing,” Denny Glick said. “He didn’t have any special trainer. He had to get offseason jobs.”

“If you needed anything and went to him, you wouldn’t be denied,” Dodrill said.

Glick is survived by his wife Colleen, daughter Carol and sons Denny and Ron.

Services are pending.

Irv Moss: 303-954-1296, imoss@denverpost.com or twitter.com/irvmoss