Butch Hamby, former MTSU football receiver and father to current MTSU women’s basketball player Gracie Hamby, died on Tuesday after battling an autoimmune liver disease. 

“Middle Tennessee Athletics is deeply saddened by the passing of former Blue Raider football standout Butch Hamby,” MTSU athletics said in a statement. “Butch was a proud member of the Blue Raider family, and his impact on our program and university will always be remembered. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hamby family during this difficult time, including his daughter, Gracie, and all those who loved him. 

Butch Hamby was at Vanderbilt University Medical Center receiving treatment after the disease progressed quickly, the Hamby family announced on Facebook on Feb. 19.  

Butch Hamby was an All-Nashville Interscholastic Team quarterback at Mount Juliet High School before moving to wide receiver at Middle Tennessee from 1979-1982.  

Butch Hamby’s daughter, Gracie Hamby, has been a member of the Lady Raiders’ basketball team since 2022.  

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