Art Weiner, former University of North Carolina football star and member of the College Football Hall of Fame, died Christmas evening at Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro at the age of 87. He was with his family at the time of his passing, including his wife of 65 years, Boots, his sons, Gregg and Patrick, and daughter, Beth.

Weiner teamed with Charlie Justice to form one of the most dynamic one-two punches in college football history, leading the Tar Heels to 32 wins and three New Year’s Day bowl games from 1946-49. Weiner is one of five Tar Heel football players whose jersey number (#50) is retired by the school.

Weiner shattered the school record for receptions with 106, a mark that stood atop the Tar Heel record book for 36 years. He also hauled in 18 touchdown receptions, a school record that stood until 1997. He averaged 16.3 yards per catch, still the fifth-highest figure in Carolina history.

Weiner led the nation with an NCAA record-tying 52 catches in 1949. A two-way standout, he earned most outstanding lineman honors at the ’49 Senior Bowl and made a game-saving tackle at the end of UNC’s 21-20 win at Duke that same year.

He earned first-team All-America honors in 1948 and 1949 and was a three-time first-team All-Southern Conference selection.

He was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 1973 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992.

The family will hold a wake on Friday (Dec. 27) from 6 to 8 p.m. at Forbis and Dick Funeral Services on 1118 North Elm Street in Greensboro. The funeral service is Saturday (Dec. 28) at 2 p.m. at Guilford Park Presbyterian Church at 2100 Fernwood Drive in Greensboro.

The Newark, N.J., native is survived by his wife, three children, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

– News release