UNC Football's Oldest Team Captain Passes Away

Posted Jun 6, 2016
The oldest living team captain from Tar Heel football died Saturday in Winston-Salem. Ralph Strayhorn Jr. was 93 years old. Strayhorn played at Carolina in 1941-43, left for the Navy in 1944-45 and returned for a final year in 1946. That team catapulted the Tar Heel program and its “Choo Choo” locomotive into the nation’s football elite. (UNC Lettermen)

Related: Football, Football Recruiting

Video: IC Podcast - UNC's QB1 Billy Edwards, Jr.
Greg Barnes and Tommy Ashley of Inside Carolina discuss UNC's choice for the starting quarterback as the Tar Heels open the 2026 season next weekend...
Wed Aug 19, 2026

Bill Belichick's quarterback situations ranked: From Tom Brady to UNC's Billy Edwards Jr.
From Tom Brady and Drew Bledsoe to Vinny Testaverde and several notable backups, UNC's Billy Edwards Jr. now joins a fascinating list of 18 different...
Wed Aug 19, 2026

UNC Football's Trip to Ireland 'Much More Than a Game'
UNC Football kicks off its season in Dublin, Ireland, playing Texas Christian University on Aug. 29 in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. But the...
Wed Aug 19, 2026

Willie Lampkin relishes NFL preseason after missing full year
Former UNC offensive lineman Willie Lampkin couldn’t help but smile on Saturday night after getting a chance to play in the Philadelphia Eagles’ preseason opener...
Wed Aug 19, 2026