Hayward native Ed Galigher, who starred in three sports at Chabot College before he went on to play seven seasons in the NFL, including two with the 49ers, died Tuesday after experiencing complications following a double lung transplant procedure. He was 68.
Galigher had the procedure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, according to longtime friend Zack Papachristos, but suffered complications after surgery.
Galigher was born in Hayward and graduated in 1968 from Sunset High School, where he lettered in football, wrestling and baseball. He played all three sports at Chabot and was recruited to play football at UCLA, where he would graduate with honors with a degree in engineering.
Galigher was drafted by the New York Jets in 1972 in the fourth round (89th overall). He played 60 games over five seasons with the Jets, starting as both a defensive tackle and end. He then played the 1977 and 1978 seasons with the 49ers, playing in 27 games.
After his playing career, Ed became an assistant coach in football and wrestling at Chabot, and the 1980 Chabot wrestling team won the community college state championship. .
Galigher completed his Masters Degree at Redlands University, and was later employed at Kaufman and Broad Builders in Modesto where he became the branch’s president. He was later hired by D.R. Horton in Pleasanton to be its president before he transferred to Southern California to work in the same capacity. He was presently working as Vice President of Land Acquisitions and Entitlements in Newport Beach, according to Papachristos.
Galigher was a member of the Chabot College Athletics Hall of Fame and the California Community College Football Hall of Fame. Last year, he was inducted into the CCC Athletics Hall of Fame.
Galigher is survived by his wife, Kathleen, his two daughters, Kelley and Gerrie along with his mother Barbara and four grandchildren.