How Many Players Died In The Marshall Plane Crash

Alright, grab a drink and get comfy, because we’re diving into a topic that sounds grim but is actually full of surprising, almost absurd, twists. You’ve probably seen the headline floating around the internet: “How many players died in the Marshall plane crash?” It’s a question that sparks immediate dread, conjuring images of a whole team lost. But here’s the thing—the answer is not what you’d expect, and it might just make you laugh at how weird history can be.

The Crash That Should Have Been a Tragedy

It was November 14, 1970, and the Marshall University Thundering Herd football team was flying home from a game in Greenville, North Carolina. Their chartered plane, a Southern Airways DC-9, slammed into a hill just short of the airport in Huntington, West Virginia. All 75 people on board died, including 37 players, coaches, staff, and fans. It remains one of the worst sports-related disasters in U.S. history.

But here’s where your brain goes, “Wait, that’s 37 players, so the answer is 37, right?” Hold your horses. That number is technically correct, but it’s the least interesting part of the story. The real kicker is how many players weren’t on that flight, and the crazy luck—or lack thereof—that saved them.

The “What If” Players Who Lived

On that fateful night, a handful of players missed the plane for the most mundane reasons. One was Nate Ruffin, a sophomore defensive back who was grounded by the team doctor due to a nagging injury. Another, Larry Sanders, had a flat tire on his way to the airport—talk about divine intervention disguised as a roadside inconvenience. Then there was Mark Andrews, a freshman who simply overslept and missed the bus to the airport. Classic college kid move, right?

In total, only three players who were supposed to be on the plane survived because they didn’t board. That means the official death toll of 37 players is a number, but the living number of “should’ve-been-on-the-plane” guys is just three. Imagine the guilt and the gratitude they must have felt—a bizarre cocktail of relief and survivor’s remorse. (Note: Two other players were already home sick, but they were never listed on the flight manifest, so we’ll count them as the universe’s bonus survivors.)

The Real Twist: The Freshmen Who Lived

Here’s the part that always makes me chuckle darkly. The plane carried mostly starters and upperclassmen. The team had a policy: freshmen usually traveled separately or stayed home. So, while 37 players perished, a huge chunk of the team—the entire freshman squad—was safe at home in their dorm rooms, probably eating pizza and complaining about practice. They literally had no idea their entire senior leadership had just vanished.

That means the true number of players who died (37) is dwarfed by the number who lived (over 50 other players, including the freshmen, walk-ons, and injured guys). So, if you’re trying to answer the clickbait question, the factual answer is “37 players died.” But the fun answer is “a lot fewer than could have died, thanks to flat tires and alarm clocks.”

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Why This Myth Keeps Growing

You might see posts online claiming “75 players died” or “the entire team was lost.” That’s because people conflate the total passengers (75) with the team members. It’s an easy mistake, like thinking a buffet has “all the food” when really it’s just “a lot of food.” The team only had 37 players on that plane, plus coaches, trainers, and boosters. The rest of the 75 were fans and crew. So, please, don’t be that person who says, “Wait, the whole team died?”—it’s a sure way to get corrected by a sports historian at a party.

Also, fun fact: The crash was so devastating that the NCAA allowed Marshall to cancel their remaining games that season. But the next season, they had to field a team made almost entirely of freshmen and walk-ons. They lost 15 straight games. That’s not a joke—it’s a testament to resilience, but man, that first season must have felt like a slow-motion car crash of its own.

The Uplifting Conclusion (Yes, Really)

So, how many players died? 37. But let’s focus on the 50+ who lived. The crash wasn’t the end of Marshall football; it was the start of an underdog story so wild it became a movie (the utterly heartwarming We Are Marshall, starring Matthew McConaughey). The survivors—the freshmen, the injured guys, and the lucky three who missed the plane—carried the spirit of the fallen into a rebuilt team. They didn’t just survive; they thrived, eventually winning championships and proving that even when you lose your stars, you can still find your light.

And here’s the smile for your face: The Marshall plane crash is a reminder that sometimes a flat tire is the best thing that ever happened to you. It’s a cosmic joke that says, “Hey, buddy, be late today. It might save your life.” So next time you’re stuck in traffic, fuming, just think of Larry Sanders and his tire. He didn’t just fix a puncture—he dodged a bullet. And the team that rose from those ashes? They taught the world that grief and grit can make you stronger than any victory. Go Herd. And remember: always set your alarm clock.