Set in the late 1960's, "Death Haunts the Gridiron" is a spine-tingling tale of senseless murders that decimate the ranks of professional football teams. The New Orleans Pelicans benefit the most from the deaths of key players on other teams before they play against these teams. Private investigator Joe Sharpe hopes to find whoever killed his friend, Bill Smith, during the first game, and then continues to investigate all of the other murders, as well. Football commissioner Zack Boone, at first thinks a disgruntled former player could be the murderer, or perhaps, a demented Pelicans fan could be the perpetrator of the murders. Joe Sharpe is finally able to put aside his amorous desires for women aside, and is able to find the murderer. Coach Myron Shackelford is pressured by the owner of the Pelicans to win the championship, even before training camp begins. The coach works the players hard in camp. Despite the fact that players on opposition teams are being killed, the Pelicans are playing well, and enjoying a huge amount of success. Private Investigator Joe Sharpe wants very much to find out who killed his friend Bill Smith. He goes on to investigate the other murders, as well, and is finally able to locate the murderer before the championship game is played