Media outlets report that Talbott died Sunday morning at his home in Rocky Mount.
Talbott played varsity baseball and football for the Tar Heels from 1963 to 1967 and was briefly a member of the freshman basketball team. As a quarterback, he won Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year honors.
UNC football coach Mack Brown and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper were among those posting online condolences to Talbott's family after learning of his passing.
Carolina lost Danny Talbott, one of its all-time greats, this morning. Here are my thoughts: pic.twitter.com/coiMZ8N9b1
— Mack Brown (@CoachMackBrown) January 19, 2020
After graduating from UNC, Talbott played one season for the Baltimore Orioles and three seasons in the NFL for Washington.
A cancer care center at Nash UNC Health Care was named for Talbott in 2018.
We mourn the loss of Rocky Mount native, UNC great and NC Sports Hall of Famer Danny Talbott. Great athlete and fine man who finally lost a courageous battle with cancer.
— Roy Cooper (@RoyCooperNC) January 20, 2020
Talbott is survived by his widow, Myrlene, and son Bryan.
A funeral will be held Thursday at First Baptist Church in Rocky Mount. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the church or to the Danny Talbott Cancer Center in Rocky Mount.
