Curtis Miranda, a three-time All-American center at FAMU and one of the most revered players in the history of historically Black college football, died on Jan. 13. He was 88.
His death was confirmed by his family and friends, which did not specify a cause.
Miranda, whose jersey number, 53, was the first ever retired by FAMU, anchored the Rattlers’ offensive line during an era of remarkable success. From 1957 to 1961, he helped lead the team to multiple national championships in Black college football and three Orange Blossom Classic victories, then one of the most celebrated events in the sport.
Miranda's powerful blocking and leadership on the line made him the cornerstone of some of Coach Jake Gaither’s most formidable teams.
“Curtis wasn’t just a player—he was the heartbeat of our line,” recalled the late Bobby Lang, a former teammate and fellow FAMU Sports Hall of Famer, in a Pittsburgh Courier news article. “He called the protections, he set the tone. In the heat of those big games, he was the coolest man on the field.”
His excellence did not go unnoticed by professional leagues. Miranda was drafted by the New York Giants in the 1961 NFL Draft, though the team attempted to convert the star center to outside linebacker—a positional switch that ultimately did not lead to a lasting roster spot.
Undeterred, Miranda continued his professional career in the Canadian Football League, where he played for several seasons before retiring from football and returning to Florida. There, he built a career outside of sports, though he remained a beloved figure among FAMU alumni and a frequent presence at university events for decades.
“He was a staunch advocate and supporter of FAMU and FAMU Athletics," said former FAMU President Larry Robinson. "He carried himself with the same dignity off the field as he did on it. He was a champion, a legend, and a gentleman. His legacy isn’t just in the record books—it’s in the standard he set for all Rattlers who came after him.”
Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 23, at Greater Macedonia Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL.