Former Giants, Rams, USC Star Myron Lapka Dies at 69
October 14, 2025
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Myron Lapka, who parlayed a standout college career at USC into three seasons in the NFL, died Monday following a years-long battle with cancer, as revealed in a social media post by his son Shane. He was 69.
A native of Van Nuys, California, Lapka starred at Chatsworth (Calif.) High School and USC. He played defensive tackle and defensive end for the New York Giants (1980) and Los Angeles Rams (1982-83) in parts of three NFL seasons.
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After retiring from football, Lapka went on to a career as a Hollywood stuntman, appearing in such films as “Action Jackson” (1988), and “Suburban Commando” (1991), among others. He was also cast as a football player in “The Bear” (1984).
Although he grew up in Southern California, Lapka said USC didn’t recruit the San Fernando Valley much under head coach John McKay. He had to hand-deliver game tapes to the school, and the Trojans’ coaches were caught by surprise with his talent.
“(The coaches) are both going to be at your house at 5:30,” Lapka said he was told that same day. “They were there at 5:30.”
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Lapka became a key cog on the defensive line on the Trojans teams that routinely dominated the Pac-10 from 1976-79. In his senior year, USC went 11-0-1, defeated previously unbeaten Ohio State 17-16 in the Rose Bowl, and finished No. 2 in the final AP Poll of the season.
Lapka was named to the All-Pac-10 second team after the 1979 season, one of five USC players to be so honored. In the 1980 NFL draft, he was chosen by the New York Giants in the third round (64th overall). He went on to appear in 10 games as a rookie that year, recording 1.5 sacks.
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After being by the Giants, Lapka played for three teams — the Baltimore Colts, Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams — over the next four years. Other than six games for the Rams from 1982-83, he was relegated to practice squad duties.
Lapka is survived by his children, Cody, Shane, Katie, Amy, and Kristin, and three grandchildren.
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