Carl (Spider) Lockhart, 43, the 13th-round draft...

Carl (Spider) Lockhart, 43, the 13th-round draft choice who became the backbone of the New York Giants defense in the late 1960s and early 1970s, died of cancer Tuesday in Hackensack, N.J.

He had for several years battled lymphmia, a cancer of the lymph glands, a Giant spokesman said.

Lockhart retired in 1975 with 41 career interceptions, the third-highest total in the club’s history.