Quick Facts
| Full Name | Robert Melville Lee |
| Occupation | American Football Player |
| Date Of Birth | Aug 7, 1945(1945-08-07) |
| Age | 81 |
| Date Of Death | August 17, 2026 |
| Birthplace | Columbus, Ohio |
| Country | United States |
| Birth City | Columbus |
| Horoscope | Leo |
Bob Lee Biography
| Name | Bob Lee |
| Birthday | Aug 7 |
| Birth Year | 1945 |
| Place Of Birth | Columbus, Ohio |
| Home Town | San Francisco |
| Birth Country | United States |
| Birth Sign | Leo |
| Full/birth Name | Robert Melville Lee |
| Father | Paul K. Lee |
| Mother | Eleanor |
| Spouse | Janice M. Lee |
| Children(s) | Matthew, Jennifer, and Zachary |
Robert Melville Lee (August 7, 1945 – August 17, 2026), known as Bob Lee, was an American professional football quarterback and punter. He played in the National Football League for the Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Rams before later serving as director of athletics at the University of the Pacific.
Lee was born in Columbus, Ohio. His family moved to California when he was only a few weeks old, and he was raised in San Francisco. He attended Lowell High School, where he played football and baseball.
College Career and Education
After attending City College of San Francisco, Lee played quarterback and kicker for the Pacific Tigers in 1966 and 1967. He led Pacific in passing, total offense and scoring in both seasons and was named the team's most valuable player as a senior. He also set a 51-yard field-goal record at Amos Alonzo Stagg Memorial Stadium.
Lee earned a bachelor's degree in physical education from the University of the Pacific in 1968 and a master's degree in education in 1971.
NFL Career
The Minnesota Vikings selected Lee in the 17th round with the 441st overall pick of the 1968 NFL Draft. He made his professional debut in 1969 and played through the 1980 season. Across 77 regular-season games, he made 30 starts at quarterback and also served as a punter.
As a Vikings rookie in 1969, Lee was recognized by the team as its outstanding rookie. He punted in Super Bowl IV and later threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Stu Voigt in Super Bowl XI.
Lee was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 1973 and went 8–2 as their starting quarterback that season. The Falcons named him their most valuable player, and the Georgia Association of Sportswriters selected him as the 1973 Georgia Athlete of the Year. His leadership in Atlanta earned him the nickname "The General."
After returning to Minnesota in 1975, Lee stepped in when Fran Tarkenton was injured late in the 1977 season. He won three of four starts and, despite playing with a broken right hand, helped the Vikings defeat the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game remembered as the "Mud Bowl." Lee finished his NFL career as a backup quarterback for the Rams in 1979 and 1980.
Life After Football
After his playing career, Lee established a real estate business and pursued his interest in architecture and building design. He was one of the 22 charter members inducted into the Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame in 1982.
Lee returned to the University of the Pacific as director of athletics from 1991 to 1996. During his tenure, the university built the Baun Fitness Center and made significant improvements to its softball field, athletics offices and aquatics facilities.
He also served on the board of the Northern California chapter of the National Football Foundation and was chairman of the San Francisco Special Olympics in 1981.
Personal Life and Death
Lee was married to Janice M. Lee. They had three children, Matthew, Jennifer and Zachary, and six grandchildren.
He died in San Francisco on August 17, 2026, ten days after his 81st birthday.