Eddie Meador, a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro selection as a member of the Los Angeles Rams, has died, the team announced Tuesday. He was 86.

The Rams confirmed Meador’s death in a statement. Dave Meador, Eddie’s son, initially told Talk of Fame’s Clark Judge about his father’s passing.

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"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of an NFL great, Eddie Meador, who was a standout leader for our organization and the Los Angeles community throughout his entire 12-year career," the Rams said in a statement. "He was an instinctive and fearless competitor who captained some of the greatest defenses in NFL history.

"Eddie's ability to galvanize teammates made him a heartbeat of the Rams and his humility made him approachable to everyone. The Meador family and friends are at the core of our thoughts, and his legacy will live on forever."

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The Rams selected Meador in the seventh round of the 1959 NFL Draft out of Arkansas Tech. He played 12 games in his rookie season and quickly became a staple on defense.

The defensive back rotated from cornerback to free safety, earning several accolades during his career. He played in 163 games and recorded 46 interceptions, according to Pro Football Reference.

Meador was named to the Hall of Fame’s All-1960s team but has yet to cross the final stage in getting enshrined into Canton, Ohio. He was among the 12 finalists as part of the senior committee’s selection for the Class of 2024 but did not make the final cut.

For those who are looking to improve their health through nutrition, some experts believe superfoods could come to the rescue.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published a list of "powerhouse foods and vegetables" (PFV), which it defines as the "foods most strongly associated with reduced chronic disease risk."

These foods have been generally described as "green leafy, yellow/orange, citrus and cruciferous items."

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To qualify for the list, foods had to provide an average of 10% or more daily value per 100 kilocalories (100,000 calories) of 17 key nutrients — potassium, fiber, protein, calcium, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, zinc, and vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E and K.

After calculating the nutrient density score for a total of 47 foods, the researchers came up with the following list of 41 foods that qualify as PFVs, in order from highest to lowest nutrient density score:

There were some limitations associated with this study. 

Some nutrient-dense items may have been overlooked, according to the CDC’s discussion of the findings.

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It was also not possible to include phytochemical data — which are chemical compounds produced by plants that can increase nutritional value — when calculating the nutrient density score for each food.

Future research is needed to identify specific nutritious diets and to confirm the health outcomes of eating a diet rich in PFVs, the study authors noted.

Tanya Freirich, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Charlotte, North Carolina, who practices as The Lupus Dietitian, said she supports the CDC’s list of recommended superfoods.

"It's great that we are being specific about ‘powerhouse’ foods to raise awareness of the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables," she told Fox News Digital.

"All vegetables and fruits contain nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants," she added. "It's important to eat a variety of them if you can."

There are some very healthy foods, however, that didn't make the list, Frierich noted.

"These foods did not meet the criteria in the study, but they should still be a part of your diet if you enjoy eating them and can access them," she said. 

"Garlic and onion, in particular, are part of the allium family and provide a host of other benefits that you would not find in one of the fruits or vegetables on the list."

One food on the list, grapefruit, could interfere with many commonly prescribed medications, Frierich also pointed out. 

"While the list is helpful in some ways, it is not the only thing to consider in making choices for a healthy diet," she said. 

"Every individual person needs a slightly different dietary approach."

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For people who like the foods on the CDC’s list, can find them in the grocery store and are able to fit them into the food budget — they can and should eat them, Frierich said.

"If not, prioritize eating a variety of fresh and frozen produce as part of your overall diet," she said. "Aim to fill half your plate with vegetables when possible."

For those who face financial difficulties and/or can’t fit the foods on the list into their budget, Frierich said that frozen or fresh produce can be part of a healthy diet.

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