Longtime Pasadena Fixture and NFL Linebacker Ted Bates Remembered

Loved ones are mourning the loss and celebrating the life of NFL linebacker and longtime Pasadena city employee Ted Douglas Bates, who died last month at age 84.

Bates died peacefully on April 17 while in hospice care in West Covina, according to his family.

Bates was born in Baytown, Texas to Nelson Bates and Mabel Renty. He was the oldest of four siblings.

After captaining his high school football team at Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles, Bates received a full athletic scholarship to Oregon State University, where he earned a degree in physical therapy. He was inducted into the college’s Hall of Fame in 1991.

Bates played for the Chicago Cardinals, which became the St. Louis Cardinals during his four seasons with the team. He also played for the Washington Redskins and the New York Jets.

“He had to end his career due to a back injury, but he was able to rely on his degree. And so he started in 1970 and worked for the city of Pasadena for over 30 years,” said daughter Deandra Bates.

At the Department of Parks and Recreation, Ted Bates headed adult recreation programs.

“He was instrumental in starting the Pasadena Black History Parade and the once Pasadena Jazz Fest,” family members said in a written statement.

“He did a lot of stuff with inner-city kids — underprivileged kids — making sure that they always had a place where they can stay out of trouble and get into sports and activities,” Deandra Bates said.

“So his legacy lives on. Everyone who knows my dad will tell you that he was a very kind spirit and he always believed in helping people,” she said. “Not only did he help kids, but he also helped people with getting work with the city, which was very hard, especially if you were Black back in those days. So, soon as he was lifted up, he also believed in lifting them up as well.”

Bates was married to Vodie Ann Rinehart. The couple divorced in 1977. In addition to his daughter, he’s survived by son Leverette Ted Bates and as well as four grandchildren.

He loved chess, tennis, fishing, golfing and dominoes, family said.

Despite numerous injuries from his football career — played in an era with far less protective gear than today — Ted Bates remained constantly active, his daughter said.

“When he couldn’t golf anymore, because it got too bad for walking, then he started relying on playing dominoes,” she said. He was a regular fixture at the Jackie Robinson Community Center, where he played “bones” with his friends.

“He was just a good-hearted person. My dad was very positive and he never had anything negative to say about anybody,” Deandra Bates said. “I’ve definitely looked up to my dad.”

A celebration of life is planned for noon on June 5 at the Jackie Robinson Park & Recreation Center’s multipurpose room, 1081 North Fair Oaks Ave.

Capacity will be limited to 50 guests due to the pandemic, but family members planned to stream the event live via Zoom.

Those interested in receiving a link to the Zoom broadcast were invited to email deandra1@hotmail.com .

In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to Alcoholics Anonymous to help new members purchase books and materials.