A Montana Griz Great With Deep Billings Roots Has Passed Away

Pat Curry spent his life in and around Billings. He played football at the University of Montana, spent decades serving the city as a police officer, and coached young players at Rocky Mountain College. He passed away recently, and the people who knew him are feeling it.

From Billings to the Grizzlies Record Books

Montana Grizzlies fans are mourning the loss of a player who left a lasting mark on the program.

READ MORE: Montana Pride: A Homegrown Bank Gets Global Recognition

Pat Curry, a Billings native, played defensive line for the University of Montana from 1978 to 1981. At 6-foot-5, he wasn't just big; he was dominant. He became one of the team's top defensive players, ranking among the leaders in tackles on the defensive line, and by the time he left Missoula, he had earned All-American honors and a place in the Griz record books.

A Shot at the NFL

After graduating, Curry took his shot at the next level, trying out for both the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers.

He was also part of the 1982 group of undrafted free agents connected to the Seahawks, chasing that dream that so many college athletes work toward.

Curry's NFL career didn’t take off, but he didn’t dwell on it. He came home to Billings and got to work.

Serving and Protecting Right Here at Home

Back in Billings, Curry built a life that went far beyond football. He joined the Billings Police Department and worked his way up through the ranks.

He spent decades showing up for people on their hardest days, eventually reaching the rank of sergeant. That kind of career doesn’t happen by accident.

Giving Back to the Game at Rocky Mountain College

Curry also spent time coaching at Rocky Mountain College, helping shape the next generation of players. For many players at Rocky Mountain College, he was the kind of coach they remembered years later.

Remembered by the Griz Community

When news of his passing was shared, the Griz football community made it clear just how much he meant. This wasn’t just about a former player. It was about a hometown guy who did something special, then came back and poured into his community through decades of police service, coaching at Rocky, and showing up as a neighbor and a mentor.

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People in Billings don’t forget names like Pat Curry. Not because of the All-American honors or the NFL tryouts, but because of everything that came after. The service, the coaching, the quiet and steady impact on the people around him. He gave a lot to this community, and the community knew it.