Anthony Palmer

We, as well as thousands of our fellow residents, were saddened to learn of the passing this week of  Anthony Palmer, one of Winthrop High’s greatest football players and all-around athletes, who passed away too young at the age of 41.

“Touchdown Tony,” as he was aptly nicknamed, was a two-time Lynn Item MVP, the state’s leading scorer as a senior, and an All-Scholastic. He led Winthrop to two Super Bowl appearances in 1992 and 1993. Both of those games (versus Mansfield and Westford Academy) were played in front of massive crowds at Miller Field. Anthony was a standout in both of those exciting contests.

In football, he was coached by Tony Fucillo, who brought out the best in the powerful running back. On the ice, Anthony was a standout goaltender who anchored strong Viking hockey teams. Palmer went on to play football at UMass-Amherst and Stonehill College.

Anthony’s athletic exploits made a lasting impression on young athletes who came after him. Winthrop High’s outstanding quarterback, Anthony Fucillo, who followed in Palmer’s footsteps more than a decade later, asked to wear Palmer’s jersey number 16 during his own stellar football career.

Winthrop has lost a local sports legend. We know we join with the entire Winthrop community in paying tribute to this incomparable athlete, who brought so many thrills to all of us who watched him compete on the playing fields and in the rink.

May he rest in peace.