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Former Duke All-America Lineman Robert Oxendine Passes Away
4/8/2024 5:00:00 PM | Football
DURHAM – Former Blue Devil football captain Robert Oxendine, who earned All-America honors as an offensive tackle in 1982, passed away on Thursday, April 4, at his home in Tampa, Fla. He was 62.
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A native of Arlington, Va., Oxendine lettered three seasons (1980-81-82) at Duke under head coach Red Wilson. As a senior in 1982, Oxendine helped the Blue Devils to a 6-5 overall record and third place finish in the ACC, serving as a co-captain alongside Emmett Tilley.
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Oxendine was named first team All-ACC and second team All-America following his senior campaign and garnered three ACC Player of the Week citations over his final two seasons. In addition, he was an Academic All-ACC choice in 1981.
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A starter along the offensive line for three seasons, Oxendine was instrumental in Duke's success as quarterback Ben Bennett would finish his career in 1983 as the NCAA's all-time leading passer while graduating as the school's career leader in pass attempts, pass completions, passing yardage and touchdown passes.
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Following his collegiate career at Duke, Oxendine played with the Tampa Bay Bandits of the USFL before attending law school at the University of Virginia. He went on to a successful law career in Tampa, Fla.
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Oxendine is survived by his wife of 36 years, Selene; daughters, Somerlyn, Sarelle, and Seneca; son, Raleigh; and brother, Thomas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth, and brother, William. He was a proud Lumbee Indian with many cousins and extended family members.
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A Celebration of Life and Mass are scheduled for 9:15 a.m., on Thursday, April 11 at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in Tampa, Fla., followed by a luncheon at the Tampa Palms Country Club.
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A graveside service and burial are scheduled for 10 a.m., at the Sandcutt Cemetery near Pembroke, N.C., on Saturday, April 13.
#GoDuke
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A native of Arlington, Va., Oxendine lettered three seasons (1980-81-82) at Duke under head coach Red Wilson. As a senior in 1982, Oxendine helped the Blue Devils to a 6-5 overall record and third place finish in the ACC, serving as a co-captain alongside Emmett Tilley.
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Oxendine was named first team All-ACC and second team All-America following his senior campaign and garnered three ACC Player of the Week citations over his final two seasons. In addition, he was an Academic All-ACC choice in 1981.
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A starter along the offensive line for three seasons, Oxendine was instrumental in Duke's success as quarterback Ben Bennett would finish his career in 1983 as the NCAA's all-time leading passer while graduating as the school's career leader in pass attempts, pass completions, passing yardage and touchdown passes.
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Following his collegiate career at Duke, Oxendine played with the Tampa Bay Bandits of the USFL before attending law school at the University of Virginia. He went on to a successful law career in Tampa, Fla.
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Oxendine is survived by his wife of 36 years, Selene; daughters, Somerlyn, Sarelle, and Seneca; son, Raleigh; and brother, Thomas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth, and brother, William. He was a proud Lumbee Indian with many cousins and extended family members.
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A Celebration of Life and Mass are scheduled for 9:15 a.m., on Thursday, April 11 at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in Tampa, Fla., followed by a luncheon at the Tampa Palms Country Club.
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A graveside service and burial are scheduled for 10 a.m., at the Sandcutt Cemetery near Pembroke, N.C., on Saturday, April 13.
#GoDuke
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