- published: 26 May 2012
- views: 91480
- author: XXSASSTERXX1
Vimeo results:
Youtube results:
Loading...
..." width="225" height="168" class="playvideo1 gotop" onClick="activateTab('playlist1'); return false" style="display: block;" />
Open Collage in a new Window
Email the Collage
- Loading...
Loading suggestions ...
- 1969 NFL Draft
- 1969 NFL season
- 1969 Rose Bowl
- 1970 Pro Bowl
- 1972 All-Pro Team
- 1972 NFL season
- 1973 All-Pro Team
- 1973 NFL season
- 1973 Pro Bowl
- 1974 All-Pro Team
- 1974 Pro Bowl
- 1975 All-Pro Team
- 1975 NFL season
- 1975 Pro Bowl
- 1976 All-Pro Team
- 1976 NFL season
- 1976 Pro Bowl
- 1977 NFL season
- 1977 Pro Bowl
- 1978 NFL season
- 1979 NFL season
- 1994 NBA Finals
- 4 x 100 metres relay
- Aaron Maybin
- Aaron Rodgers
- Acquittal
- Adrian Peterson
- AFC East
- Al Cowlings
- Al Worley
- Alan Ameche
- Alan Dershowitz
- Alan Page
- Alex Smith
- All-Pro
- American football
- Andre Reed
- Andre Ware
- Andrew Luck
- Andy Robustelli
- Angelo Bertelli
- Anthony Muñoz
- Antoine Winfield
- Antowain Smith
- Archie Griffin
- Arkansas
- Armed robbery
- Arnold Friberg
- Art Donovan
- Art Garfunkel
- Art Shell
- Associated Press
- Athletic scholarship
- Aundray Bruce
- Back to the Beach
- Barry Bonds
- Barry Sanders
- Barry Scheck
- Bart Starr
- Ben Hogan
- Bert Bell Award
- Bert Jones
- Bill Bergey
- Bill Dudley
- Bill Hayhoe
- Bill Stanfill
- Bill Wade
- Bills Toronto Series
- Billy Buffalo
- Billy Cannon
- Billy Shaw
- Billy Sims
- Billy Vessels
- Bo Jackson
- Bob Fenimore
- Bob Gaiters
- Bob Griese
- Bob Kalsu
- Bob Klein
- Bob Kuechenberg
- Bob Lilly
- Bob Mathias
- Bob Odell
- Bob Reifsnyder
- Bob Seagren
- Bobby Bell
- Bobby Garrett
- Bode Miller
- Booker Edgerson
- Booker Moore
- Boomer Esiason
- Bowie Kuhn
- Brad Van Pelt
- Brady Quinn
- Brett Favre
- Brian Sipe
- Bronko Nagurski
- Bruce Jenner
- Bruno Magli
- Bubba Smith
- Buck Buchanan
- Buffalo Bills
- Buffalo Bills (AAFC)
- Buffalo Jills
- Buster Ramsey
- Byron Nelson
- Byron White
- C. J. Spiller
- Cade's County
- Cal Ripken, Jr.
- Calvin Hill
- Cam Newton
- Capricorn One
- Carl E. Douglas
- Carl Eller
- Carl Hubbell
- Carl Lewis
- Carl Yastrzemski
- Carson Palmer
- Centinela Avenue
- Chan Gailey
- Charle Young
- Charles Woodson
- Charley Trippi
- Charlie Finley
- Charlie Sanders
- Charlie Ward
- Chef
- Chester Marcol
- Chevy Chase
- Chic Harley Award
- Child support
- Chris Hanburger
- Chris Spielman
- Chris Weinke
- Christopher Darden
- Chuck Bednarik
- Chuck Foreman
- Chuck Fusina
- Chuck Knox
- Chuck Kyle (guard)
- Chuck Long
- Cito Gaston
- Civil court
- Clark County, Nevada
- Claude Humphrey
- Cliff Branch
- Cliff Harris
- Clint Frank
- College football
- Colt McCoy
- Common Draft
- Community College
- Condominium
- Conviction
- Corbett Davis
- Corey Dillon
- Craig Fertig
- Criminal conspiracy
- Curley Culp
- Curt Schilling
- Curtis Martin
- Dan Dierdorf
- Dan Fortmann
- Dan Fouts
- Dan Marino
- Dan Wilkinson
- Daniel M. Petrocelli
- Danny Wuerffel
- Darian Hagan
- Darren McFadden
- Darryl Talley
- Dave Casper
- Dave Parks
- Dave Wilcox
- Davey O'Brien
- David Carr
- Deacon Jones
- Defensive back
- Dennis Crane
- Dennis Homan
- Dennis Onkotz
- Denny McLain
- Derrick Burroughs
- Desmond Howard
- Detroit Lions
- Dick Anderson
- Dick Butkus
- Dick Coury
- Dick Jauron
- Dick Kazmaier
- Dick Vermeil
- DirecTV
- Dizzy Dean
- Doak Walker
- Doc Blanchard
- Domestic violence
- Dominick Dunne
- Don Budge
- Don Hutson
- Don Manning
- Don McPherson
- Don Meredith
- Don Schollander
- Donny Anderson
- Donte Whitner
- Doug Flutie
- Dragnet (series)
- Drew Bledsoe
- Drew Brees
- Dwight Gooden
- Dwyane Wade
- Earl Campbell
- Earl McCullouch
- Earl Morrall
- Ed Marinaro
- Ed Sutton
- Eddie George
- Edgar Chandler
- Edgerrin James
- Edward Abramoski
- Elbert Dubenion
- Eli Manning
- Emmitt Smith
- Emmitt Thomas
- Eric Crouch
- Eric Dickerson
- Eric Moulds
- Eric Wood
- Erik Flowers
- Ernie Davis
- ESPN
- Extra point
- F. Lee Bailey
- Felony
- Firepower (film)
- Ford Bronco
- Forrest Blue
- Forrest Gregg
- Fran Tarkenton
- Franco Harris
- Frank Dancewicz
- Frank Gatski
- Frank Gifford
- Frank Loria
- Frank Robinson
- Frank Sinkwich
- Fred Dryer
- Fred Lynn
- Fred Smerlas
- Fuhrman tapes
- Gale Gillingham
- Gale Sayers
- Galileo High School
- Garo Yepremian
- Gary Beban
- Gary Glick
- Gene Sarazen
- Gene Upshaw
- George Blanda
- George Brett
- George Cafego
- George Foreman
- George Kunz
- George Saimes
- Gil Garcetti
- Gino Marchetti
- Gino Torretta
- Glenn Ressler
- Graham Harrell
- Granville Liggins
- Greg Pruitt
- Gregg Williams
- Gulf War
- Gunder Hägg
- Hank Bullough
- Harold Carmichael
- Harry Gilmer
- Harry Olzewski
- Harvey Martin
- Haven Moses
- Heisman Trophy
- Herb Elliott
- Here's Lucy
- Hermann Maier
- Herschel Walker
- Hertz Corporation
- Hickok Belt
- Howard Cassady
- If I Did It
- Imperial units
- Indictment
- Ingemar Johansson
- Ironside (TV series)
- Irving Fryar
- Isaac Curtis
- Isiah Robertson
- J. D. Hill
- J. P. Losman
- Jack Concannon
- Jack Ham
- Jack Kemp
- Jack McKeon
- Jack Youngblood
- Jackie Joyner-Kersee
- Jake Long
- Jake Scott
- Jamal Lewis
- JaMarcus Russell
- Jan Stenerud
- Jason Sehorn
- Jay Berwanger
- Jeff Burris
- Jeff George
- Jeremy Bloom
- Jerome Bettis
- Jerry LeVias
- Jerry Rice
- Jerry Richardson
- Jesse Owens
- Jim Bakken
- Jim Brown
- Jim Grabowski
- Jim Harbaugh
- Jim Kelly
- Jim Konstanty
- Jim Langer
- Jim Lynch
- Jim Plunkett
- Jim Ringo
- Jim Ritcher
- Jimmie Johnson
- Jimmy Gunn
- Joe Bellino
- Joe Collier
- Joe DeLamielleure
- Joe DiMaggio
- Joe Ferguson
- Joe Louis
- Joe Montana
- Joe Namath
- Joe Scibelli
- Joe Theismann
- Joe Torre
- John Brockington
- John Brodie
- John Cappelletti
- John David Crow
- John Didion
- John Elway
- John Fina
- John Gilliam
- John Hadl
- John Huarte
- John Matuszak
- John McCargo
- John McEnroe
- John Rauch
- John Riggins
- John Wooden
- John Zook
- Johnnie Cochran
- Johnny Lattner
- Johnny Lujack
- Johnny Majors
- Johnny Rodgers
- Johnny Unitas
- Josh Heupel
- Kato Kaelin
- Kay Stephenson
- Kellen Winslow
- Kelly Gruber
- Ken Dorsey
- Ken Farragut
- Ken Houston
- Ken MacAfee
- Ken Stabler
- Kenneth Sims
- Kent Hull
- Kerry Collins
- Keyshawn Johnson
- Ki Aldrich
- Ki-Jana Carter
- Kidnapping
- King Hill
- Kurt Warner
- Kyle Rote
- Kyle Rote, Jr.
- L. C. Greenwood
- LaDainian Tomlinson
- Lance Alworth
- Lance Armstrong
- Lance Ito
- Larry Bird
- Larry Csonka
- Larry Fitzgerald
- Larry Kelley
- Larry Little
- Larry O'Brien
- Larry Wilson
- Las Vegas Sun
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Lawrence McCutcheon
- Lawrence Taylor
- Lee Roy Jordan
- Lee Roy Selmon
- Lee Trevino
- Leodis McKelvin
- Leon Hart
- Leroy Kelly
- Leroy Keyes
- Les Horvath
- Lou Boudreau
- Lou Brock
- Lou Saban
- Louisiana
- Lovelock, Nevada
- Lynn Swann
- Marcell Dareus
- Marcia Clark
- Marcus Allen
- Mariano Rivera
- Marijuana
- Mario Clark
- Mario Williams
- Marion Motley
- Mark Fuhrman
- Mark Gastineau
- Mark Ingram, Jr.
- Mark Kelso
- Mark McGwire
- Mark Moseley
- Mark Spitz
- Marshall Faulk
- Marshawn Lynch
- Marv Levy
- Matt Leinart
- Matthew Stafford
- Maury Wills
- Maxwell Award
- MDMA
- Mel Blount
- Mel Hein
- Mel Renfro
- Melissa Michaelsen
- Merlin Olsen
- Miami
- Michael Baden
- Michael Jordan
- Michael Phelps
- Michael Vick
- Mickey Mantle
- Mike Ballou
- Mike Battle
- Mike Dennis
- Mike Ditka
- Mike Garrett
- Mike Holmgren
- Mike Hull
- Mike Krzyzewski
- Mike Mularkey
- Mike Rozier
- Mike Stratton
- Mike Wagner
- Mike Webster
- Miracle on Ice
- Muhammad Ali
- Music City Miracle
- Nate Clements
- NBC
- Nevada
- Nevada Supreme Court
- New York
- New York Jets
- New York Yankees
- NFL
- NFL Alumni
- NFL MVP
- NFL on NBC
- Nick Buoniconti
- Nicole Brown Simpson
- Nile Kinnick
- Nolan Ryan
- Nolo contendere
- Norman Van Brocklin
- O. J. Simpson
- O.J. Simpson
- Orange juice
- Orel Hershiser
- Orlando Pace
- Otis Armstrong
- Ottis Anderson
- Otto Graham
- Pablo Fenjves
- Palace Station
- Pat Gillick
- Patrick J. McGroder
- Paul Giel
- Paul Governali
- Paul Hornung
- Paul Krause
- Paul Salata
- Paul Warfield
- People v. Simpson
- Pepper Martin
- Perry Tuttle
- Pete Dawkins
- Pete Retzlaff
- Pete Rose
- Pete Rozelle
- Peter Ueberroth
- Peyton Manning
- Phil Dokes
- Phil Krueger (coach)
- Phil Villapiano
- Pioneer Chicken
- Piracy
- Plea
- Plea-bargain
- Priest Holmes
- Pro Bowl
- Pro Bowl MVP
- Provo, Utah
- Rafer Johnson
- Raghib Ismail
- Ralph Wilson
- Ralph Wilson Stadium
- Randall Cunningham
- Randy Duncan
- Rashaan Salaam
- Ray Bentley
- Ray Guy
- Ray Nitschke
- Rayfield Wright
- Raymond Berry
- Reds Bagnell
- Reggie Bush
- Reggie White
- Renaldo Nehemiah
- Restraining order
- Reuben Gant
- Rich Gannon
- Rich Stotter
- Richie Lucas
- Rick Upchurch
- Rickets
- Ricky Watters
- Ricky Williams
- Riley Odoms
- Robert Brazile
- Robert Griffin III
- Robert Kardashian
- Robert Khayat
- Rocky Bleier
- Rod Woodson
- Roger Maris
- Roger Staubach
- Roger Wehrli
- Rogers Centre
- Rolling Stone
- Roman Gabriel
- Ron Dayne
- Ron Guidry
- Ron Jaworski
- Ron Sellers
- Ron Yary
- Ronald Beagle
- Ronald Goldman
- Ronnie Harmon
- Ronnie Lott
- Rosey Brown
- Ross Browner
- Roy Halladay
- Ruben Brown
- Running back
- Russell Maryland
- Sam Bradford
- Sammy Baugh
- Sammy Sosa
- San Francisco 49ers
- Sandy Koufax
- Saturday Night Live
- Saudi Arabia
- Shane Conlan
- Shaun Alexander
- Sporting News
- Stephon Gilmore
- Steve Bartkowski
- Steve Carlton
- Steve Cauthen
- Steve Emtman
- Steve Joachim
- Steve Kiner
- Steve Largent
- Steve McNair
- Steve Spurrier
- Steve Tasker
- Steve Van Buren
- Steve Young
- Student Exchange
- Super Bowl XXV
- Super Bowl XXVI
- Super Bowl XXVII
- Super Bowl XXVIII
- Superstars
- SUV
- Tax lien
- Ted Hendricks
- Ted Kwalick
- Ted Williams
- Template AP NFL MVPs
- Template NFL 1970s
- Template NFL75
- Template Superstars
- Template talk NFL75
- Terrell Davis
- Terry Baker
- Terry Bradshaw
- Terry Hanratty
- Terry Miller
- The Klansman
- The Naked Gun
- The Sporting News
- The Towering Inferno
- Thurman Thomas
- Tiger Woods
- Tiki Barber
- Tim Couch
- Tim Rossovich
- Tim Tebow
- Tom Brady
- Tom Cousineau
- Tom Harmon
- Tom Mack
- Tom Petranoff
- Tom Ruud
- Tom Schoen
- Tom Seaver
- Tom Sestak
- Tommie Frazier
- Tommy Mason
- Tommy Nobis
- Tony Dorsett
- Tony Greene
- Touchdown
- Traci Adell
- Trial de novo
- Troy Aikman
- Troy Smith
- Tucker Frederickson
- Ty Detmer
- Tyrone Willingham
- United States
- USC Trojans football
- Utah
- Van Miller
- Vic Janowicz
- Vince Young
- Vinny Testaverde
- Wade Phillips
- Wally Chambers
- Walt Patulski
- Walter Camp Award
- Walter Payton
- Warren Moon
- Warrick Dunn
- Wayne Gretzky
- Wayne Grimditch
- Wayne Meylan
- WGRF
- Whitey Herzog
- Why? (1971 film)
- Wikipedia Link rot
- Wikipedia Persondata
- Willie Ellison
- Willie Gault
- Willie Lanier
- Willie Mays
- Willie Stargell
- Willis McGahee
- Wrongful death
- Wrongful death claim
- Y. A. Tittle
- Yale Galanter
-
Arkansas
Arkansas (
i/ˈɑrkənsɔː/ AR-kən-saw) is a state located in the Southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states (N: Missouri; E: Tennessee, Mississippi; S: Louisiana; SW: Texas; W: Oklahoma), and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River. Its diverse geography ranges from the mountainous regions of the Ozarks and the Ouachita Mountains, which make up the U.S. Interior Highlands, to the eastern lowlands along the Mississippi River. Arkansas is the 29th most extensive and the 32nd most populous of the 50 United States. The capital and most populous city is Little Rock, located in the central portion of the state.
The name “Arkansas” derives from the same root as the name for the state of Kansas. The Kansa tribe of Native Americans are closely associated with the Sioux tribes of the Great Plains. The word “Arkansas” itself is a French pronunciation (“Arcansas”) of a Quapaw (a related “Kaw” tribe) word, akakaze, meaning “land of downriver people” or the Sioux word akakaze meaning “people of the south wind”. The pronunciation of Arkansas was made official by an act of the state legislature in 1881, after a dispute between two U.S. Senators from Arkansas. One wanted to pronounce the name /ɑrˈkænzəs/ ar-KAN-zəs and the other wanted /ˈɑrkənsɔː/ AR-kən-saw.
wn.com/Arkansas -
Louisiana
Louisiana (i/luːˌiːziˈænə/ or i/ˌluːziˈænə/; French: État de Louisiane, [lwizjan] (
listen); Louisiana Creole: Léta de la Lwizyàn) is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Louisiana is the 31st most extensive and the 25th most populous of the 50 United States. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties. The largest parish by population is East Baton Rouge Parish, and the largest by land area is Cameron Parish.
Much of the state was formed from sediment washed down the Mississippi River, leaving enormous deltas and vast areas of coastal marsh and swamp. These contain a rich southern biota; typical examples include birds such as ibis and egrets. There are also many species of tree frogs, and fish such as sturgeon and paddlefish. In more elevated areas, fire is a natural process in the landscape, and has produced extensive areas of longleaf pine forest and wet savannas. These support an exceptionally large number of plant species including many species of orchids and carnivorus plants.
wn.com/Louisiana -
Miami
Miami (
/maɪˈæmi/ or /maɪˈæmə/) is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625. The 42nd largest city proper in the United States, with a population of 408,568, it is the principal, central, and most populous city of the South Florida metropolitan area, and the most populous metropolis in the Southeastern United States. According to the US Census Bureau, Miami's metro area is the seventh most populous and fifth-largest urban area in the United States, with a population of around 5.5 million.
Miami is a major center and a leader in finance, commerce, culture, media, entertainment, the arts, and international trade. In 2010, Miami was classified as a Alpha- World City in the World Cities Study Group’s inventory. In 2010, Miami ranked seventh in the United States in terms of finance, commerce, culture, entertainment, fashion, education, and other sectors. It ranked thirty-third among global cities. In 2008, Forbes magazine ranked Miami "America's Cleanest City", for its year-round good air quality, vast green spaces, clean drinking water, clean streets and city-wide recycling programs. According to a 2009 UBS study of 73 world cities, Miami was ranked as the richest city in the United States, and the world's fifth-richest city in terms of purchasing power. Miami is nicknamed the "Capital of Latin America", is the 2nd largest U.S. city (after El Paso) with a Spanish-speaking majority, and the largest city with a Cuban-American plurality.
wn.com/Miami -
Nevada
Nevada (i/nəˈvædə/ or /nəˈvɒdə/) is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. Nevada is the 7th most extensive, the 35th most populous, and the 9th least densely populated of the 50 United States. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in one single county, Clark County, which contains the Las Vegas–Paradise metropolitan area, where the state's three largest incorporated cities are located. Nevada's capital is Carson City.
Nevada is largely desert and semiarid, with much of it located within the Great Basin. Areas south of the Great Basin are located within the Mojave Desert, while Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada mountains lie on the western edge. Approximately 86% of the state's land is owned by the US government under various jurisdictions, both civilian and military.
The name Nevada is derived from the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains, which means "snow-capped mountain range" in Spanish. The land comprising the modern state was inhabited by Native Americans of the Paiute, Shoshone, and Washoe tribes prior to European contact. It was subsequently claimed by Spain as a part of Alta California until the Mexican War of Independence brought it under Mexican control. The United States gained the territory in 1848 following its victory in the Mexican-American War and the area was eventually incorporated as part of Utah Territory in 1850. The discovery of silver at the Comstock Lode in 1859 led to a population boom that was an impetus to the creation of Nevada Territory out of western Utah Territory in 1861. Nevada became the 36th state on October 31, 1864.
wn.com/Nevada -
New York
New York (/njuː ˈjɔrk/; locally IPA: [nɪu ˈjɔək] or [nuː ˈjɔɹk] (
listen)) is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. New York is the 27th most extensive, the 3rd most populous, and the 7th most densely populated of the 50 United States. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east. The state has a maritime border with Rhode Island east of Long Island, as well as an international border with the Canadian provinces of Ontario to the west and north, and Quebec to the north. The state of New York is often referred to as New York State to distinguish it from New York City.
New York City, with a population of over 8.1 million, is the most populous city in the United States. Alone, it makes up over 40 percent of the population of New York state. It is known for its status as a center for finance and culture and for its status as the largest gateway for immigration to the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, New York City is also a destination of choice for many foreign visitors. Both the state and city were named for the 17th century Duke of York, James Stuart, future James II and VII of England and Scotland.
wn.com/New_York -
Palace Station
Palace Station is a hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is a locals casino that is owned and operated by Station Casinos and has 1,028 rooms. Palace Station has a large Asian customer base due to its 10 mini-baccarat tables and 2 full size baccarat tables, and because of its location near Chinatown.
In 1976, Frank Fertitta, Jr., a former general manager at the Fremont, and his two partners, opened The Casino, a 5,000 sq ft gambling hall attached to a Mini Price Motor Inn, in an off-Strip location where few observers expected it to succeed. In 1977, he added bingo and renamed the property as the Bingo Palace. The casino was the first to target a clientele of local residents with offerings like giveaways, cheap buffets, and bingo. It thrived, and Fertitta soon bought out his partners' shares. Other locals casinos like Sam's Town and the Gold Coast followed in later years.
In 1984, the Bingo Palace was expanded and remodeled with a railroad theme, and renamed to the Palace Station Hotel & Casino. A 21-story hotel tower and high-rise parking garage were added in 1990, bringing the room count to 1,041.
wn.com/Palace_Station -
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia (i/ˌsaʊdi əˈreɪbi.ə/ or i/ˌsɔːdiː əˈreɪbi.ə/; Arabic: السعودية as-Su‘ūdīyah[citation needed] or incorrectly as-Sa‘ūdīyah, officially known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Arabic: المملكة العربية السعودية al-Mamlakah al-‘Arabīyah as-Su‘ūdīyah Arabic pronunciation (help·info)), is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab world, after Algeria. It is bordered by Jordan, and Iraq on the north and northeast, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates on the east, Oman on the southeast, and Yemen on the south. The Red Sea lies to its west, and the Persian Gulf lies to the east. Saudi Arabia has an area of approximately 2,250,000 km2 (870,000 sq mi), and it has an estimated population of 27 million, of which 9 million are registered foreign expatriates and an estimated 2 million are illegal immigrants. Saudi nationals comprise an estimated 16 million people.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded by Abdul-Aziz bin Saud (known for most of his career as Ibn Saud) in 1932, although the conquests which eventually led to the creation of the Kingdom began in 1902 when he captured Riyadh, the ancestral home of his family, the House of Saud, referred to in Arabic as the Al Saud. The Saudi Arabian government, which has been an absolute monarchy since its inception, refers to its system of government as being Islamic, though this is contested by many due to its strong basis in Salafism, a minority school of thought in Islam. The kingdom is sometimes called "The Land of the Two Holy Mosques" in reference to Al-Masjid al-Haram (in Mecca), and Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (in Medina), the two holiest places in Islam.
wn.com/Saudi_Arabia -
United States
The United States of America (commonly abbreviated to the United States, the U.S., the USA, America, and the States) is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its forty-eight contiguous states and Washington, D.C., the capital district, lie between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, bordered by Canada to the north and Mexico to the south. The state of Alaska is in the northwest of the continent, with Canada to the east and Russia to the west, across the Bering Strait. The state of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific. The country also possesses several territories in the Pacific and Caribbean.
At 3.79 million square miles (9.83 million km2) and with over 312 million people, the United States is the third or fourth largest country by total area, and the third largest by both land area and population. It is one of the world's most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, the product of large-scale immigration from many countries. The U.S. economy is the world's largest national economy, with an estimated 2011 GDP of $15.1 trillion (22% of nominal global GDP and over 19% of global GDP at purchasing-power parity). Per capita income is the world's sixth-highest.
wn.com/United_States -
Utah
Utah (/ˈjuːtɔː/ ori/ˈjuːtɑː/) (Arapaho: Wo'tééneihí' ) is a state in the Western United States. It became the 45th state admitted to the Union on January 4, 1896. Utah is the 13th-most extensive, the 34th-most populous, and the 10th-least-densely populated of the 50 United States. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,817,222 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the sixth most urbanized in the U.S. The name "Utah" is derived from the name of the Ute tribe and means "people of the mountains" in the Ute language. Utah is bordered by Arizona on the south, Colorado on the east, Wyoming on the northeast, Idaho on the north and Nevada on the west. It also touches a corner of New Mexico.
Utah is the most religiously homogeneous state in the Union. It is home to the Salt Lake Temple, and approximately 60% of Utahns are reported to be members of LDS Church which greatly influences Utah culture and daily life.
wn.com/Utah -
WGRF
WGRF is a radio station in Buffalo, New York, USA. The station's on air branding is "97 Rock". The station mostly plays Classic rock from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Since 2006, the station has also aired numerous rock-leaning oldies, such as songs from The Beatles, that were displaced by the format change at sister station WHTT. WGRF broadcasts at 96.9 MHz.
The WGRF morning show consists of Larry Norton, Rob Lederman, Chris Klein and their Producer Russ. Other local disc jockeys include John "J.P." Piccollo, Carl Russo, John Hager, Slick Tom Tiberi, Anita West, Jeff Gordon, Cindy Chan, Megan Davis, Jim McGee, and Rick Walters. WGRF's significant local presence and history in the area has made the station nearly as much of the Buffalo culture as chicken wings.
WGRF is owned by Cumulus Media. Previous owners included the Taft Television and Radio Company, Rich Communications, Mercury Radio Communications (who separated the longtime combination with WGR in 1995 when it bought WGRF from Rich Communications, who in turn retained WGR until selling it to the Sinclair Broadcast Group two years later), and Citadel Broadcasting (which merged with Cumulus on September 14, 2011). Its transmitter is located in Buffalo.
wn.com/WGRF
-
Aaron Maybin
Aaron Michael Maybin (born April 6, 1988) is an American football linebacker for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round (11th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at Penn State.
Maybin redshirted the 2006 season. He had 12 tackles, with 4.5 tackles for losses, one forced fumble and one pass breakup in 2007. He was fourth on the team with four sacks and was named to the Sporting News Freshman All-Big Ten team.
Maybin had a breakout season in 2008. He was selected as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week following a six-tackle, two-sack performance in Penn State's 48–7 defeat of Wisconsin, in which he also forced two key fumbles. He was named a Mid-season All-American by Sports Illustrated, College Football News and CBS Sports. At season's end, he was named an All-American and a consensus first team All-Big Ten selection.
Maybin was on the 2008 Walter Camp Award watchlist and was one of three finalists for the 2008 Ted Hendricks and Chuck Bednarik awards, awarded annually to collegiate football's top defensive end and defensive players, respectively. He was named the Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C. National Defensive Player of the Year
wn.com/Aaron_Maybin -
Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Charles Rodgers (born December 2, 1983) is an American football quarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected in the first round (24th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Packers. Rodgers played college football at the University of California, Berkeley, where he set several California Golden Bears records, including lowest interception rate at 1.43%.
Professionally, Rodgers is the NFL's all-time career leader in passer rating during both the regular season with a rating of 104.1, and the post-season with a rating of 105.5 – among passers with at least 1,500 and 150 pass attempts respectively. He also holds the league's lowest career pass interception percentage for quarterbacks during the regular season with a percentage of 1.80%, and the single season passer rating record of 122.5. Rodgers led the Green Bay Packers to win Super Bowl XLV and was named Super Bowl MVP. As a result, he was named Associated Press Athlete of the Year in 2011.
wn.com/Aaron_Rodgers -
Adrian Peterson
Adrian Lewis Peterson (born March 21, 1985), nicknamed "A. D." (for "All Day"), "A. P." and "Purple Jesus", is an American football running back for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). Peterson was selected by the Vikings with the seventh overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Oklahoma.
While at Oklahoma, Peterson set the NCAA freshman rushing record with 1,925 yards as a true freshman during the 2004 season. As a First-team All-American, he became the first freshman to finish as the runner-up in the Heisman Trophy balloting behind USC quarterback Matt Leinart. Peterson finished his college football career as the Sooners' third all-time leading rusher.
Following his stellar first pro season in which he set an NFL record for most rushing yards in a single game (296), Peterson was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He was then awarded the MVP award for his performance in the Pro Bowl and became only the fifth player in NFL history to have more than 3,000 yards through his first two seasons. In 2010, he became the fifth fastest player to run for 5,000 yards, doing so in his 51st game. Currently, Peterson has the fourth highest average rushing yards per game total in NFL history (min. 50 games) with an average of 92.5, trailing Jim Brown (104.3), Barry Sanders (99.8) and Terrell Davis (97.5).
wn.com/Adrian_Peterson -
Al Cowlings
Allen G. Cowlings (born June 16, 1947 in San Francisco, California) is a retired American football player, known for his role in the saga of O.J. Simpson's murder trial. He played in the NFL between 1970 and 1979 for the Buffalo Bills, Houston Oilers, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and San Francisco 49ers.
Cowlings and Simpson were teammates at Galileo High School, San Francisco City College, USC, the Buffalo Bills, and the San Francisco 49ers; they eventually became close friends and confidantes. Cowlings is most famous for his role in Simpson's capture on June 17, 1994, after a low-speed chase by police on Los Angeles freeways, after the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman several days before. Cowlings claims that Simpson pointed a gun to Cowlings' head, forcing him to take part in Simpson's flight from the police. The slow-speed chase was televised on live TV from helicopter cameras, and it is estimated it was viewed by approximately 95 million people in the U.S. alone. Cowlings was the driver, Simpson his passenger, in a white 1993 Ford Bronco. During the chase, Cowlings famously told the police "My name is AC. You know who I am, God damn it." The chase ended at Simpson's mansion in Brentwood, where he then surrendered to police. Cowlings was charged with a felony for aiding a fugitive, and released with $250,000 bail.
wn.com/Al_Cowlings -
Al Worley
Al Worley was an American football player who played defensive back for the University of Washington Huskies from 1966-68. Worley was a named a Consensus All-American in 1968, when he set the still-standing NCAA record of 14 interceptions in a season. Notably, he accomplished this feat in only a ten game season. Worley later played briefly in the Continental Football League.
wn.com/Al_Worley -
Alan Ameche
Lino Dante "Alan" Ameche (March 1, 1933 – August 8, 1988), nicknamed "The Horse", was an American football player who played six seasons with the Baltimore Colts in the National Football League after winning the Heisman Trophy in college at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He was elected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons in the league. He is famous for scoring the winning touchdown in the 1958 NFL Championship Game against the New York Giants, labeled "The Greatest Game Ever Played."
After emigrating to the United States in the late 1930s, his family returned for a year to Italy. The family then returned to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where Alan attended Mary D. Bradford High School. Alan was a cousin of noted actors Don Ameche and Jim Ameche. With colleague (and former Colts teammate) Gino Marchetti, Alan Ameche founded the Gino's Hamburgers chain. The Baltimore-based Ameche's Drive-in restaurants were named for him. Ameche died in Houston, Texas.
Ameche earned All-America honors at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he played linebacker as well as fullback in single-platoon days. In four years as a Badger, he gained 3,212 yards, then the NCAA record, scored 25 touchdowns, and averaged 4.8 yards a carry. Ameche won the Heisman in 1954.
wn.com/Alan_Ameche -
Alan Dershowitz
Alan Morton Dershowitz (born September 1, 1938) is an American lawyer, jurist, and political commentator. He has spent most of his career at Harvard Law School where in 1967, at the age of 28, he became the youngest full professor of law in its history. He has held the Felix Frankfurter professorship there since 1993.
Dershowitz is known for his involvement in several high-profile legal cases and as a commentator on the Arab–Israeli conflict. As a criminal appellate lawyer, he has won 13 of the 15 murder and attempted murder cases he has handled, and has represented a series of celebrity clients, including Mike Tyson, Patty Hearst, and Jim Bakker. His most notable cases include his role in 1984 in overturning the conviction of Claus von Bülow for the attempted murder of his wife, Sunny, and as the appellate adviser for the defense in the O.J. Simpson trial in 1995.
A political liberal, he is the author of a number of books about politics and law, including Reversal of Fortune: Inside the von Bülow Case (1985), the basis of the 1990 film; Chutzpah (1991); Reasonable Doubts: The Criminal Justice System and the O.J. Simpson Case (1996); the best-selling The Case for Israel (2003); Rights From Wrongs: A Secular Theory of the Origins of Rights (2004) and The Case for Peace (2005).
wn.com/Alan_Dershowitz -
Alan Page
Alan Cedric Page (born August 7, 1945) is an associate justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1963, received his B.A. in political science from the University of Notre Dame in 1967, and received his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1978. Page is particularly notable for the fact that he is both a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and an Associate Justice with the Minnesota Supreme Court. Page is married to Diane Sims Page and is the father of four children, Nina, Georgi, Justin and Kamie.
Page attended and graduated from Central Catholic High School, Canton, OH, 1964. He starred in several sports and excelled in football. Page also worked on a construction team that erected the Pro Football Hall of Fame, laying the groundwork for the building where he would one day be immortalized.
Following high school, Page attended the University of Notre Dame, where he led the school’s storied football program to a national championship in 1966. That same year, Page was named a college football All-American for his achievements on the field.
wn.com/Alan_Page -
Alex Smith
Alexander Douglas Smith (born May 7, 1984) is a professional American football player and starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. Smith was drafted with the 1st-overall pick in the 1st round of the 2005 NFL Draft by San Francisco from the University of Utah. He started his first game during Week 5 of his rookie season, replacing former starter Tim Rattay. Though he started a total of seven games that season, he did not play well, throwing only one touchdown to eleven interceptions. In 2006, he was named the starting quarterback before the season and started all 16 games for the team, as well as seven games of the 2007 season. Nagging shoulder injuries would keep him out of eight games in 2007, and following shoulder surgery, he missed all of 2008. He returned in 2009 and alternated as starting quarterback with Shaun Hill. He went into the 2010 season as the team's primary starting quarterback, but shoulder injuries again kept him on the sideline for several games. He was named the team's starter for 2011 and started every game of the 2011 season. He helped lead the 49ers to a 13-3 regular season record in 2011. On March 20, 2012 he signed a new 3-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers worth a reported $24 million.
wn.com/Alex_Smith -
Andre Reed
Andre Darnell Reed (born January 29, 1964 in Allentown, Pennsylvania) is a former professional American football player. He played wide receiver in the National Football League for 16 seasons, 15 with the Buffalo Bills (1985–1999) and one with the Washington Redskins (2000).
Reed ranks tenth in NFL history in total career receptions with 951. In 2009, Reed was elected to the Buffalo Bills 50th Season All-time Team.
Reed was born in Allentown and began his football career at Allentown's Dieruff High School, where he played quarterback and competed in the East Penn Conference (now known as the Lehigh Valley Conference), which is known for producing top collegiate and NFL football talent. In his senior year (1981–1982), Reed helped lead Dieruff to an EPC tri-championship, tying for the championship with Emmaus High School and Whitehall High School.5
Reed then attended Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, where he moved to the wide receiver position and quickly drew the attention of the NFL for his speed and durability at the receiver position.
wn.com/Andre_Reed -
Andre Ware
Andre Ware (born July 31, 1968) is a sports analyst and commentator and a former American football player. He was the 1989 Heisman Trophy winner as a quarterback for the University of Houston, becoming the first African-American quarterback to win the award. In the 1990 NFL Draft, Ware was the first round selection (#7 overall) of the Detroit Lions. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
After graduating Dickinson High School, Andre Ware played at the University of Houston, where he was the first black quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy in 1989, along with the Davey O'Brien Award, the latter award given to the most outstanding college quarterback of the year. That year, his junior year, he threw for 4,699 yards, 44 touchdowns, and set 26 NCAA records. Many of the records were thanks to the innovative use of the Run & Shoot offense, which his successor, David Klingler, also used to great effect. The Cougars ended the season ranked the #14 team in the nation by the Associated Press. He then declared for the NFL Draft, foregoing his senior year.
wn.com/Andre_Ware -
Andrew Luck
Andrew Austen Luck (born September 12, 1989) is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Stanford University, won the Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Award as college football's player of the year, and was recognized as an All-American. He was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in both 2010 and 2011. He was named the Offensive Player of the Year in the Pac-12 (Pac-10) Conference in both 2010 and 2011. CBS Sports draft analyst Rob Rang called Luck the best prospect he has ever scouted, while the Kansas City Star puts him in line with LeBron James and Bryce Harper as "the most hyped amateurs in recent sports memory". Although widely projected as the No. 1 selection in the 2011 NFL Draft, Luck decided to return to Stanford for his redshirt junior season.
Luck was born in Washington, D.C., the son of Oliver Luck, current athletic director and a former quarterback at West Virginia University and former NFL quarterback for the Houston Oilers, and Kathy Wilson Luck. Andrew Luck spent his early childhood in London, England and Frankfurt, Germany, where his father was general manager of two World League of American Football teams prior to becoming president of the league. He is the oldest of four children, Mary Ellen, Emily, and Addison, who currently reside in Houston. In London, he attended The American School in London.
wn.com/Andrew_Luck -
Andy Robustelli
Andrew Richard "Andy" Robustelli (December 6, 1925 – May 31, 2011) was an American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Giants. He played college football at Arnold College and was drafted in the nineteenth round of the 1951 NFL Draft. Robustelli was a seven-time First-team All-pro selection and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.
Robustelli was born on December 6, 1925 in Stamford, Connecticut, to Lucien Robustelli, an Italian-American and his wife Catherine Robustelli. He attended Stamford High School, where he excelled in football and baseball. At age 18, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served on the USS William C. Cole in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he attended Arnold College, in Milford, Connecticut, where he played both football and baseball. After college, he was drafted in the NFL by the Los Angeles Rams in the nineteenth round of the 1951 NFL Draft. In June, 1951, he was offered a tryout with the New York Giants baseball club. The Giants offered Robustelli a $400 contract to play with their minor league affiliate Knoxville Smokies.
wn.com/Andy_Robustelli -
Angelo Bertelli
Angelo Bortolo Bertelli (June 18, 1921 – June 26, 1999) was an American football player. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1943 playing as a quarterback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Bertelli born in West Springfield, Massachusetts on June 18, 1921 to Italian immigrant parents. At Cathedral High School in Springfield, he won all-state honors in football, baseball and hockey and was senior class president.
When Bertelli entered Notre Dame in 1940, he was 6 feet 1 inch and 173 pounds, a skinny but highly regarded tailback in the single-wing formation used by most college teams. When Coach Elmer Layden left to become commissioner of the National Football League, Notre Dame's new coach, Frank Leahy, immediately noticed Bertelli's passing talents.
As a sophomore, Bertelli, still a single-wing tailback, led the nation with a 56.9 percent passing average, completing 70 of 123 attempts. In 1942, Leahy switched to a modified T-formation, in which Bertelli would play under the center and take every snap. As he told his budding star, "Bert, you're the finest passer and the worst runner I've ever coached." That summer, preparing for his new role, Bertelli said he took "a thousand snaps...maybe a million." Bertelli and the T-formation were an immediate success. He passed for 1,039 yards and 10 touchdowns. Celebrated sportswriter Grantland Rice referenced Bertelli as "the T-formation magician."
wn.com/Angelo_Bertelli -
Anthony Muñoz
Michael Anthony Muñoz (born August 19, 1958), is a Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle who played most of his career for the National Football League's Cincinnati Bengals. After missing much of the 1992 season battling knee and shoulder injuries, Muñoz attempted to play a 14th season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he was released before the season started and decided to retire shortly after.
Anthony Muñoz went to Chaffey High School. Muñoz played college football at the University of Southern California. He also played baseball there, pitching for USC’s national championship team in 1978.
Muñoz was the third overall pick in the 1980 National Football League draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. His selection was viewed as a major risk by many pundits since knee problems limited the 6 ft. 6 in., 280-pound Muñoz to just a combined eight games in his junior and senior seasons, though he did return for USC's 17-16 Rose Bowl win over Ohio State on New Year's Day 1980. However, Muñoz became a starter in his rookie season and remained a fixture at left tackle for the Bengals for 13 seasons and is considered one of, if not the greatest offensive linemen in NFL history. Despite his history of injuries, Muñoz missed just three games during his first 12 seasons. His rigorous workout routine included working out in the weight room he had installed in his home and running three to four miles every day. In addition to his talents as a blocker, Anthony Muñoz was also a capable receiver, notching 7 receptions for 18 yards and scoring 4 touchdowns on tackle-eligible plays, including one in 1984 from left-handed rookie quarterback Boomer Esiason against their upstate rival, the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland.
wn.com/Anthony_Muñoz -
Antoine Winfield
Antoine D. Winfield (born June 24, 1977) is an American football cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Ohio State University, earning All-American honors and winning the Jim Thorpe Award. Winfield was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft, and he has played professionally for the Bills and Minnesota Vikings of the NFL. He is a three-time Pro Bowl selection.
Winfield was born in Akron, Ohio. He attended Garfield High School in his hometown of Akron.
Winfield attended Ohio State University, where he played for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team from 1995 to 1998. As a senior in 1998, he was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American, and won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back.
The Buffalo Bills selected Winfield in the first round (23rd overall pick) of the 1999 NFL Draft, and he played for the Bills from 1999 to 2003.
On July 23, 2009 the Vikings signed Winfield to a new five-year, $36 million contract. The deal includes $16.1 million in guarantees. He made his second straight Pro Bowl in 2010 after replacing injured Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. After making the 2010 Pro Bowl squad, he made an interception that led to a touchdown in an NFC 55-41 victory. He has 14 interceptions while with the Vikings, along with three touchdowns. One of his most memorable plays of his career was when he returned a blocked field goal for 59-yard touchdown against New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football. He is regarded as one of the most physical corners in the league, known for his bone-jarring hits, and was ranked by Peter King of Sports Illustrated as the 31st best player in the NFL. He made his first Pro Bowl in 2008.
wn.com/Antoine_Winfield -
Antowain Smith
Antowain Drurell Smith (born March 14, 1972 in Millbrook, Alabama) is a former American Football running back in the National Football League who played nine NFL seasons, most notably with the New England Patriots. At 6'2", 230 lb (100 kg), Smith's powerful running style made him an effective runner between the tackles. Smith was also a leader in the locker room, and had underrated blitz pick-up and receiving skills.
Smith attended Stanhope Elmore High School in Millbrook, Alabama. As a senior running back, he was an All-District pick and won All-Conference honors.
Smith was a standout running back at East Mississippi Community College and the University of Houston.
Antowain Smith was drafted in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. In his rookie season Smith ran for 840 yards and 8 touchdowns with also catching 28 passes. The next season Smith ran for 1,124 yards and again scored 8 times, although his yards per carry dropped from 4.3 to just 3.7. Smith gained just 27 total yards in the Bills first round playoff loss in 1998. The next season was disappointing and saw Smith score 6 times while rushing for just 614 yards. He did manage to run for 79 yards and two scores in the Bill's first round playoff game but the Bills still lost to the Titans. Having fallen out of favor with the coaching staff Smith ran for just 354 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2000.
wn.com/Antowain_Smith -
Archie Griffin
Archie Mason Griffin (born August 21, 1954) is a former American football running back. Griffin played seven seasons in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals. He is college football's only two-time Heisman Trophy winner. Griffin won four Big Ten Conference titles with the Ohio State Buckeyes and was the first player ever to start in four Rose Bowls.
Griffin rushed for 1,787 yards and scored over 170 points in 11 games, including 29 touchdowns, as a senior fullback at Eastmoor High School (now Eastmoor Academy) in Columbus, Ohio. That year he led Eastmoor to the Columbus City League championship, rushing for 267 yards on 31 carries in the title game against Linden-McKinley High School. In his junior year, Griffin had also rushed for over 1,000 yards.
Griffin played for the Ohio State University Buckeyes from 1972-75. Among Ohio State University college football fans, Griffin holds a status akin to a living folk hero. His freshman year was the first year Freshman could play on the varsity team, so when he got the starting position a lot of Sophomores were disappointed because Griffin took their spots. Former Ohio State head coach Woody Hayes said of Griffin, "He's a better young man than he is a football player, and he's the best football player I've ever seen."
wn.com/Archie_Griffin -
Arnold Friberg
Arnold Friberg (December 21, 1913 – July 1, 2010) was an American illustrator and painter noted for his religious and patriotic works. He is perhaps best known for his 1975 painting The Prayer at Valley Forge, a depiction of George Washington praying at Valley Forge. He is also well known for his 15 "pre-visualization" paintings for the Cecil B. DeMille film The Ten Commandments which were used to promote the film worldwide and for which he received an Academy Award nomination. He has been admitted as a lifetime member of the Royal Society of Arts. He also did a series of paintings depicting scenes from the Book of Mormon for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Friberg was born to a Swedish father and a Norwegian mother. His family moved to Arizona when he was three years old, and he began drawing cartoons by the time he was seven. Also when he was seven Friberg's parents joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Friberg was baptized a member of the LDS Church at age eight.
wn.com/Arnold_Friberg -
Art Donovan
Arthur "The Bulldog" Donovan, Jr. (born June 5, 1925) is a former American football defensive tackle, better known as Art Donovan, who played for three National Football League teams, most notably the Baltimore Colts. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968.
He is the son of Arthur Donovan, Sr., a famed boxing referee, and the grandson of Professor Mike Donovan, the world middleweight boxing champion in the 1870s.
Art attended Mount Saint Michael Academy in the Bronx. He spent four years in military service with the United States Marine Corps during WW II before playing college football at Boston College. He graduated in 1950.
In each of his first three seasons, Donovan played for a team which went out of business. He started out with the first Baltimore Colts, who folded after his rookie season in 1950, followed by the New York Yanks in 1951, and their successor, the Dallas Texans, in 1952. After the Texans franchise was moved to Baltimore in 1953 and became the (second) Colts, Donovan played with that team.. He became one of the stars in an outstanding defense and was selected to five straight Pro Bowls, from 1953 through 1957. The Colts won back-to-back championships in 1958 and 1959.
wn.com/Art_Donovan -
Art Garfunkel
Arthur Ira "Art" Garfunkel (born November 5, 1941) is a Grammy-award winning American singer-songwriter, a poet, and a Golden Globe winning actor. He was also half of the folk duo Simon & Garfunkel, which split in 1970, at the height of their popularity.
Highlights of his solo music career include a top 10 hit, three top 20 hits, six top 40 hits, 14 Adult Contemporary top 30 singles, five Adult Contemporary number ones, two UK number ones and a People's Choice Award. Through his solo and collaborative work, Garfunkel has earned six Grammys, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1990, he and former musical partner Paul Simon were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Art Garfunkel was born in Forest Hills, Queens, New York City, the son of housewife Rose and traveling salesman Jacob "Jack" Garfunkel on November 5, 1941. Art has two siblings; the older one named Jules and the younger one named Jerome, who was an actor in his earlier years in Dayton, Ohio, before becoming a travelling menswear salesman. He is Jewish. His paternal grandparents emigrated from Iași in Romania. His cousin on his mother's side is founder of 'N Sync and the Backstreet Boys, Lou Pearlman. Garfunkel attended the Forest Hills High School. According to the Across America DVD, Garfunkel's love for singing "came in the first grade. When we were lined up in size order, and after everyone else had left, I'd stay behind and enjoy the echo sound of the stairwell tiles and sing 'Unchained Melody' and 'You'll Never Walk Alone', learning to love this goose-bumps song from the tender age of five." Later, Garfunkel's father bought him a wire recorder and from then on, Garfunkel spent his afternoons singing, recording and playing it back, so he could listen for flaws and learn how to improve.
wn.com/Art_Garfunkel -
Art Shell
Arthur "Art" Shell (born November 26, 1946) is an American former collegiate and professional football player in the American Football League and later in the NFL, a Hall of Fame offensive tackle, and a two-time former head coach of the Oakland Raiders. He holds the distinction of becoming the second-ever African American head coach (after Fritz Pollard) in the history of professional football, and the first in the sport's modern era.
Shell was drafted by the American Football League's Oakland Raiders from Maryland State College. Playing offensive tackle, Shell participated in 24 playoff contests, including Super Bowls XI and XV, and was named to eight Pro Bowls.
Shell was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989. In 1999, he was ranked number 55 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.
Through Al Davis, Shell is a member of the Sid Gillman coaching tree. As coach of the Raiders (at the time located in Los Angeles), Shell compiled a record of 54 wins, 38 losses, and was named AFC Coach of the Year in 1990, when the Raiders won the AFC West division with a 12-4 record, and advanced to the AFC championship game in the playoffs, becoming the first African-American coach to lead the team to the Conference Championship game. Al Davis, owner of the Raiders, fired Shell after a 9-7 season in 1994, a move Davis later said he regretted.
wn.com/Art_Shell -
Aundray Bruce
Aundray Bruce (born on April 30, 1966) is a former American football linebacker. He played college football at Auburn University and professionally for the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders of the NFL.
Bruce was born in Montgomery, Alabama. He attended George Washington Carver High School in Montgomery.
Bruce was named All-Southeastern Conference in 1986 and 1987, All-America in 1987, and Citrus Bowl MVP in 1987. He first garnered national attention in a nationally-televised game in 1987 against Georgia Tech by intercepting three passes and returning one for a touchdown and making 10 unassisted tackles. Entering the NFL Draft, he was saddled with expectations of becoming the next Lawrence Taylor, though once drafted was described as "unquestionably the least heralded No. 1 draft choice this decade." He graduated from Auburn in 1988 as an education major.
Bruce was drafted with the first overall pick in the 1988 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. Although he was the first overall pick, Bruce started only 42 games in his 11-year career. Bruce enjoyed his most prominent role on the Falcons 1991 playoff team when he saw spot duty on offense as a tight end as well as defense. He signed with the Los Angeles Raiders as a free agent in 1992 and finished his career with the organization. Bruce played in 151 games over his 11-season career, posting 32 sacks and 4 interceptions. He was quite serviceable in Oakland but never lived up to the high expectations and was regarded as a bust.
wn.com/Aundray_Bruce -
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds (born July 24, 1964) is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds. He debuted in the Major Leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1986 and joined the San Francisco Giants in 1993, where he stayed through 2007.
Bonds' accomplishments during his baseball career place him among the greatest baseball players of all-time. He has a record-setting seven Most Valuable Player awards, including a record-setting four consecutive MVPs. He is a 14-time All-Star and 8-time Gold Glove-winner. He holds numerous Major League Baseball records, including the all-time Major League Baseball home run record with 762 and the single-season Major League record for home runs with 73 (set in 2001), and is also the all-time career leader in both walks (2,558) and intentional walks (688).
Bonds has led a controversial career, notably as a central figure in baseball's steroids scandal. In 2007, he was indicted on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice for allegedly lying to the grand jury during the government's investigation of BALCO, by testifying that he never knowingly took any illegal steroids. The trial began March 21, 2011; he was convicted on April 13, 2011 on the obstruction of justice charge.
wn.com/Barry_Bonds -
Barry Sanders
Barry Sanders (born July 16, 1968) is a former American football running back who spent all of his professional career with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. Sanders left the game just short of the all-time rushing record. Sanders is a member of the college and professional football halls of fame. He is considered one of the greatest and most elusive running backs of all time.
A Wichita, Kansas native, Sanders attended Wichita North High School. Barry started at tailback his sophomore year, but took a back seat to his brother Byron the following year. Sanders did not become the starting running back until the fourth game of his senior year.He rushed for 1,417 in the final seven games of the season, which earned him all-state honors. During that seven game span Sanders averaged 10.2 yards per carry. He was, however, overlooked by most college recruiters because of his 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) size. Although he was a stellar athlete, Barry only had scholarships from Emporia State, Iowa State, Tulsa, and Oklahoma State.
wn.com/Barry_Sanders -
Barry Scheck
Barry C. Scheck (born September 19, 1949) is an American lawyer. He received national media attention while serving on O.J. Simpson's defense team, winning an acquittal in the highly publicized murder case. Scheck is the director of the Innocence Project and a professor at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York City.
Scheck was born in Queens, New York. He graduated from the Horace Mann School in Riverdale, New York in 1967. He then went on to receive a B.S. from Yale University in 1971 and a J.D. and M.C.P. from the University of California at Berkeley in 1974.
Before becoming nationally-known, Scheck became the personal lawyer for the Hedda Nussbaum case, in 1987. He both defended her and assisted in getting the charges against her dropped, while also assisting in ensuring Joel Steinberg's arrest and suing him in the civil case, Nussbaum vs. Steinberg. Scheck was part of the team that defended O. J. Simpson in his 1995 trial. He was associated with clearing in 1999 of Dennis Fritz and Ron Williamson who had spent 11 years in prison of wrongful murder convictions. He was also the lead lawyer who defended British au pair Louise Woodward in her 1997 murder trial. More recently, he served as attorney of the wrongly accused Duke University lacrosse player Reade Seligmann to represent him in a civil lawsuit filed on October 5, 2007 against the city of Durham, North Carolina, its former district attorney, Mike Nifong, He also was responsible for clearing John Restivo, Dennis Halstead, and John Kogut after 18 years in prison for the 1985 Lynbrook rape and murder of Theresa Fusco, when DNA evidence proved them innocent and implicated others.
wn.com/Barry_Scheck -
Bart Starr
Bryan Bartlett "Bart" Starr (born January 9, 1934) is a former professional American football player and coach. Wearing #15, he was the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers from 1956 to 1971, during which time he led the Packers to multiple NFL championships. He was less successful as the Packer's head coach, compiling a record of 52–76–3 from 1975-1983.
He was named the Most Valuable Player of the first two Super Bowls and earned four Pro Bowl selections. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1977. He won the league MVP award in 1966.
Starr has the second-highest playoff passer rating (104.80, behind current Packer Aaron Rodgers' 112.6) of any quarterback in NFL history and a playoff record of 9–1. Starr's career completion percentage of 57.4 was an NFL best when he retired in 1972. Starr also held the Packers' franchise record for games-played (196) for 32 years, through the 2003 season.
Starr played at the University of Alabama from 1952 to 1956 and was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 17th round of the 1956 draft (199th overall).
wn.com/Bart_Starr -
Ben Hogan
William Ben Hogan (August 13, 1912 – July 25, 1997) was an American professional golfer, generally considered one of the greatest players in the history of the game. Born within six months of two other acknowledged golf greats of the twentieth century, Sam Snead and Byron Nelson, Hogan is notable for his profound influence on the golf swing theory and his legendary ball-striking ability, for which he remains renowned among players and fans.
His nine career professional major championships tie him (with Gary Player) for fourth all-time, trailing only Jack Nicklaus (18), Tiger Woods (14) and Walter Hagen (11). Furthermore, he is one of only five golfers to have won all four major championships currently open to professionals (the Masters Tournament, the British Open, the U.S. Open, and the PGA Championship), the other four being Gene Sarazen, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
Born in Stephenville, Texas, he was the third and youngest child of Chester and Clara (Williams) Hogan. His father was a blacksmith and the family lived ten miles southwest in Dublin until 1921, when they moved 70 miles (112 km) northeast to Fort Worth. In 1922, when Hogan was nine, his father Chester committed suicide at the family home via a self-inflicted gunshot to the chest. By some accounts Chester committed suicide in front of him, which some (including Hogan biographer James Dodson) have cited as the cause of his introverted personality in later years.
wn.com/Ben_Hogan -
Bert Jones
Bertram Hays "Bert" Jones (born September 7, 1951) is a former LSU and NFL quarterback who played for the then Baltimore Colts and, briefly, the Los Angeles Rams. At Ruston High School, he was given the nickname, "The Ruston Rifle". He is the son of former NFL running back, Dub Jones of the Cleveland Browns.
Jones went to the Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where he played for LSU's football team. He was also a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity (Gamma chapter). While at LSU, Jones only started two games prior to the end of his junior year, but he started every game after that, leading LSU to a 12-2-1 record. During his senior year (1972), LSU went 9-2-1. Except for one week, LSU spent that entire season ranked in the AP Top 10. That year, Jones became the first quarterback in LSU history to be awarded consensus All-American honors. Jones also finished 4th in the vote for the Heisman Trophy and was voted the National Collegiate Player of the Year by the Cleveland Touchdown Club.
wn.com/Bert_Jones -
Bill Bergey
William Earl Bergey (born February 9, 1945) is a former American collegiate and Professional Football player. He played collegiately for Arkansas State University and for the American Football League's Cincinnati Bengals and the NFL Philadelphia Eagles.
Bergey was born in South Dayton, New York in 1945 and graduated from Arkansas State in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. He was an All-American with the Arkansas State Indians and has been voted by fans the Top Player in Arkansas State history. He was a charter member of Delta Eta chapter of Kappa Alpha Order at ASU.
Bergey set ASU records for best tackling average in a season, most fumble recoveries in a season, most tackles in a game, most tackles in a season, and most career tackles. In 1968, Bergey averaged 19.6 tackles per game. He played in three post-season all-star games during his ASU career; he was selected to the All-Southland Conference team three times and to the Southland Conference All-First Decade Team. Bergey's jersey number 66 was retired by ASU.
wn.com/Bill_Bergey -
Bill Dudley
William McGarvey "Bullet Bill" Dudley (December 24, 1921 – February 4, 2010) was a professional American football player in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions, and Washington Redskins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966.
Dudley was born in Bluefield, Virginia and attended Graham High School. He made the football team his junior year, and in 1938 he kicked a 35-yard field goal in the season's finale and helped Graham beat favored Princeton High School, 10–7.
At the age of 16, Dudley was awarded an athletic scholarship by the University of Virginia football team by coach Frank Murray. As a result, He received a $500 grant, out of which he paid for room, board, and books. Although he was originally slated as a punter and placekicker, Dudley eventually came to play the halfback position. In his sophomore year, he began as the fifth back on the depth chart but, due to a teammate's injury, played several games.
By his third year, Dudley started every game and was the Southern Conference's leader in total offensive yards. He was also successful in his senior year, particularly during a game against the University of North Carolina. In that game, Dudley scored all three touchdowns for Virginia and kicked four extra points. That season, he became the first Virginia player to earn All-America honors and was awarded the Maxwell Award for best college football player of the year. He was also named the best college player of the year by the Washington D.C. Touchdown Club. Dudley also led the nation in four categories: touchdowns with 18; points scored with 134; rushing average with 6.2 yards a play; and touchdowns responsible for with 29. After the season, he played in the East-West Shrine Game, where he intercepted four passes and threw for his team's touchdown in a 6–6 tie. He also played in the College All-Star Game in Chicago.
wn.com/Bill_Dudley -
Bill Hayhoe
William J. Hayhoe II (born September 6, 1946 in Los Angeles, California) is a former American footballoffensive tackle in the National Football League who played for the Green Bay Packers. Hayhoe played collegiate ball for Los Angeles Valley College and the University of Southern California before being drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 5th round of the 1969 NFL Draft. He played professionally for 5 seasons and retired in 1973.
wn.com/Bill_Hayhoe -
Bill Stanfill
William Thomas Stanfill (born January 13, 1947) is a former defensive end for the Miami Dolphins of the American Football League and then the NFL after the AFL-NFL merger of 1970.
Stanfill attended Cairo High School in Cairo, Georgia, where he was a three-sport star in football, basketball, and track and field. In football, as a senior, he was named the Class AA Lineman of the Year after leading his team to three Region Championships. In basketball, as a senior, he led his team to the state championship and was named the state tournament MVP. In track and field, he added three state discus and one shot put AA titles.
Stanfill played defensive tackle for the Georgia Bulldogs from 1966 through 1968. He was awarded the Outland Trophy in 1968 and was named an All-American the same year. He received a B.S. degree from the University of Georgia in 1971. Stanfill was voted All-SEC in 1966, 1967 and 1968 and was the SEC Lineman of The Year in 1968. In addition, he was an Academic All-America that same season. During his three seasons at Georgia, the Bulldogs had a 26-6-2 record along wit two Southeastern Conference titles: one in 1966 (co-champions) and the other in 1968. During that time the Bulldogs also appeared in three bowl games: the Cotton Bowl Classic in 1966, the Liberty Bowl in 1967 and the Sugar Bowl in 1968. Georgia beat SMU in the Cotton Bowl Classic, lost to North Carolina State in the Liberty and lost to the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Sugar.
wn.com/Bill_Stanfill -
Bill Wade
William James Wade (born October 4, 1930 in Nashville, Tennessee) is a American football quarterback, in the National Football League. He is also considered one of the greatest athletes in Nashville and Vanderbilt University history. Wade is a member of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and the Vanderbilt Athletic Hall of Fame.
Wade was a professional quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams and the Chicago Bears. He is best known for being the starting quarterback on the Chicago Bears' 1963 NFL championship team.
Wade is a longtime resident of Nashville, TN, and has two sons and one daughter named Sharon Kinser, who still live in Nashville. He was born and raised in Nashville (and was born at Vanderbilt Hospital.) Wade is one of two sons of former 1921 Vanderbilt football captain, William J. Wade, Sr. The younger Wade began his athletic career at Woodmont Grammar School in Nashville, where he played guard rather than quarterback. He later starred at Hillsboro High School and Mongomery Bell Academy.
wn.com/Bill_Wade -
Billy Cannon
Dr. William Abb "Billy" Cannon (born August 2, 1937) is an All-American, 1959 Heisman Trophy winner and 2008 inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, and one of the American Football League's most celebrated players.
He was born in Philadelphia, Mississippi, and moved to Baton Rouge when his father got a job there during World War II. He graduated from Istrouma High School in 1956.
Billy Cannon started high school at Istrouma in Baton Rouge, in 1952. He was noted for his speed and strength, and became a star athlete in football and track. In football, he scored 39 touchdowns his senior year, was named All-State and All-America and led his high school to a state championship in 1955. He threw the 16-pound shot 54 feet.
Cannon played three seasons for LSU: 1957, 1958, and 1959. In 1958, Cannon led LSU to its first AP national championship. #1 LSU clinched the title in the Sugar Bowl, beating #12 Clemson 7-0. The only score was a pass from Cannon to Mickey Mangham. Cannon was also voted the 1958 UPI Player of the Year. In 1959, Cannon led #1 LSU to a victory over #3 Ole Miss. The Tigers were trailing 3-0 when Cannon returned a punt 89 yards for a TD, breaking seven tackles. It was the only TD of the game, resulting in a 7–3 victory for LSU in Tiger Stadium. That year, Cannon won the Heisman Trophy and was again voted the UPI College Football Player of the Year|UPI Player of the Year. Other big games from Cannon's time at LSU were unranked LSU's 20–13 victory over #17 Georgia Tech in 1957, #1 LSU's 14–0 victory over #6 Ole Miss in 1958, and #1 LSU's 10-0 victory over #9 TCU in 1959. The No. 20 worn by Cannon was retired after the 1959 season. It was the only football number retired by LSU until 2009, when Tommy Casanova's number was also retired.
wn.com/Billy_Cannon -
Billy Shaw
William Lewis "Billy" Shaw (born December 15, 1938 in Natchez, Mississippi) is an American former college and professional football player.
Drafted in 1961 by the American Football League's Buffalo Bills, Billy Shaw of Georgia Tech was the prototypical "pulling guard" who despite his size held his own against much bigger defensive linemen like Ernie Ladd, Earl Faison and Buck Buchanan. With the Bills, he won three straight Eastern Division titles and two American Football League championships in 1964 and 1965.
Shaw was a first-team All-American Football League selection four times (1963 through 1966) and second team All-AFL in 1968 and 1969. He played in eight American Football League All-Star Games and was named to the All-Time All-AFL Team. He made the All-Decade All-pro football team of the 1960s. Shaw played his entire career in the American Football League, and retired after the 1969 AFL season.
Shaw is the only player ever inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame without ever playing in the NFL (The Bills along with the rest of the AFL merged with the NFL the season following his retirement). He is also a member of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame and the Bills' 50th Anniversary Team.
wn.com/Billy_Shaw -
Billy Sims
Billy Ray Sims (born September 18, 1955) is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons during the 1980s. Sims played college football for the University of Oklahoma, where he was a two-time consensus All-American, and won the Heisman Trophy in 1978. He was the first overall pick in the 1980 NFL Draft, and played professionally for the NFL's Detroit Lions.
Sims was born in St. Louis, Missouri, but in the eighth grade he moved to Hooks, Texas, to live with his grandmother. In three years of varsity football at Hooks High School, he rushed 1,128 times (a state record at the time, currently second behind Robert Strait) for 7,738 yards, including 441 carries in 1973 (another state record at the time, currently tied for second behind Ketric Sanford). He continues to hold the state record for most consecutive games with 100 yards or more, 38 (1972–1974).
Sims attended the University of Oklahoma, where he played for coach Barry Switzer's Oklahoma Sooners football team from 1976 to 1979. After injuries kept him out of the line-up for most of his freshman and half of his sophomore seasons (rushing for only 545 yards in two seasons plus one game of 1976), in his junior season he cut loose, picking up 1,762 yards on 231 carries for an amazing average of 7.6 yards per carry (160.1 yards and 10.9 points per-game) for the regular season. Including the post-season Sims had 1,896 yards, a total yardage school record that stood until 2004 when freshman Adrian Peterson tallied up 1,925. In 1978 Sims was awarded the Heisman Trophy, becoming only the sixth junior to do so. He was runner up the following season in 1979.
wn.com/Billy_Sims -
Billy Vessels
Billy Vessels (March 22, 1931 – November 17, 2001) was a standout football player in his hometown of Cleveland, Oklahoma, where he was known as "Curly." He went on to play college football for the University of Oklahoma and win the 1952 Heisman trophy. He was the first Oklahoman to win the award, which is given to the nation's top college football player. After he won the Heisman, Cleveland, Oklahoma, threw him a parade, with hundreds lining the streets of the small town. Vessels, a humble, hardworking kid, told a reporter, "Can you imagine people doing a thing like this for a kid like me?” Vessels went on to play professional football with the National Football League's Baltimore Colts and the Western Interprovincial Football Union's Edmonton Eskimos.
Vessels led the Oklahoma Sooners to the 1950 NCAA football national championship, scoring 15 touchdowns. In 1952 he was the Heisman Trophy winning halfback for the Sooners, the school's first Heisman winner.
Playing under the legendary Bud Wilkinson, he became the first of five Sooners, followed by Steve Owens (1969), Billy Sims (1978), Jason White (2003) and Sam Bradford (2008), to win the Heisman Trophy. During the 1952 season he rushed for 1072 yards including seven 100 yard performances, and 17 touchdowns. These achievements led to his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.
wn.com/Billy_Vessels -
Bo Jackson
Vincent Edward "Bo" Jackson (born November 30, 1962) is a former American baseball and football player. He was the first athlete to be named an All-Star in two major American sports, and also won the Heisman Trophy in 1985.
In football, he played running back for the Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League. In baseball, he played left field and designated hitter for the Kansas City Royals, the Chicago White Sox, and the California Angels of the American League in Major League Baseball. While at Auburn University, he won the 1985 Heisman Trophy, the prize annually awarded to the most outstanding collegiate football player in the United States. He also ran a 40-yard dash in a blistering 4.12 seconds (hand-timed), which is still the fastest verifiable 40-yard dash time ever recorded at any NFL Combine. A hip injury severely impaired his professional baseball career, and ended his NFL career.
In 1989 and 1990, Jackson's name became known beyond just sports fans through the "Bo Knows" advertising campaign, a series of advertisements by Nike, that starred Jackson alongside Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician Bo Diddley, promoting a cross-training athletic shoe named for Jackson.
wn.com/Bo_Jackson -
Bob Fenimore
Robert Dale Fenimore (October 6, 1925, Woodward, Oklahoma – July 28, 2010) known as the Blonde Bomber was a halfback for the Oklahoma A&M football team from 1943 to 1946. He was the first two-time All America selection from Oklahoma A&M and finished third in the Heisman voting in 1945, but still led the nation in rushing with 142 carries for 1,048 yards. As a player, he set many school records, including the career interception mark of 18 which still stands at Oklahoma State today. He led the nation in total offense in 1944 and in total offense and rushing in 1945 when he finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting behind Army's Glenn Davis and Doc Blanchard. The Aggies were 8-1 in 1944 and 9-0 in 1945—the only unbeaten/untied season in Oklahoma A&M/State football history.
Due to injuries, Fenimore played sparingly in the 1946 season and despite the risk, the Chicago Bears made Fenimore the first pick overall in the 1947 NFL Draft. He would play only the 1947 season in Chicago appearing in 10 games.
wn.com/Bob_Fenimore -
Bob Gaiters
Robert James Gaiters (born February 26, 1938) is an American former National Football League player. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 1961 American Football League Draft and by the New York Giants in the 1961 NFL Draft. He played two seasons in the NFL, spending time with the Giants and San Francisco 49ers. He finished his career in 1963 with the Broncos of the AFL.
wn.com/Bob_Gaiters -
Bob Griese
Robert Allen "Bob" Griese (/ˈɡriːsi/; born February 3, 1945) is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who earned All-American honors with the Purdue Boilermakers before being drafted in 1967 by the American Football League's Miami Dolphins. Griese led the Dolphins to three consecutive Super Bowl appearances, including two Super Bowl victories (VII and VIII) (he is the only Miami Dolphin quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl). Griese's talents eventually resulted in his induction to the College Football Hall of Fame and the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. He is a retired television commentator for college football on ESPN on ABC, teaming with Chris Spielman and Dave Pasch.
Griese was born in Evansville, Indiana to Ida (Ulrich) and Sylverious "Slick" Griese. Slick owned a plumbing company in Evansville and died in 1955 when Bob was ten years old. Bob played baseball primarily, and excelled as a pitcher. He also enjoyed basketball and football. After being recruited by several colleges for football, Bob chose Purdue, where he majored in business management and became a three-sport star. In 1984, Bob was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame.
wn.com/Bob_Griese -
Bob Kalsu
James Robert "Bob" Kalsu (April 13, 1945 – July 21, 1970) was an All-American tackle at the University of Oklahoma and an eighth-round draft pick by the Buffalo Bills of the American Football League in 1968.
Kalsu was a starting guard in 1968. He played the entire season and was the Bills' team rookie-of-the-year. Following the 1968 season, to satisfy his Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) obligation, he entered the Army as a Second Lieutenant and arrived in Vietnam in November 1969 as part of the 101st Airborne Division. He was killed in action on July 21, 1970 when his unit came under enemy mortar fire at FSB Ripcord near the A Shau Valley. His family, out of respect, refused to talk in detail about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Lieutenant Kalsu had one child, a daughter named Jill. At home in Oklahoma City, his wife, Jan Kalsu, gave birth to his son, James Robert Kalsu Jr., on July 23. Mrs. Kalsu was informed of her husband's death only hours later. Kalsu was the only recently active professional football player to lose his life in the Vietnam War.
wn.com/Bob_Kalsu -
Bob Klein
Bob Klein is a retired American football tight end.
Klein played college football at the University of Southern California. He then played for the National Football League's Los Angeles Rams and San Diego Chargers between 1969 and 1979.
wn.com/Bob_Klein -
Bob Kuechenberg
Robert John Kuechenberg (born October 14, 1947 in Gary, Indiana) is a former National Football League offensive lineman for the Miami Dolphins for fourteen seasons between 1970 and 1983, spending the 1984 season on injured reserve. He was a mainstay in a line that included Hall of Famers Jim Langer, Larry Little, and Dwight Stephenson and played in six Pro Bowls in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He was selected as one of the top 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame from 2002–2006, and one of the top 17 finalists from 2007–2009, but missed the cut every year. He was inducted into the Miami Dolphin's Honor Roll on December 15, 1995. Bob is the brother of former Chicago Bears linebacker Rudy Kuechenberg.
Kuechenberg attended college at the University of Notre Dame where he played both the offensive and defensive lines. But before college Kuechenberg attended Hobart High School, located in Hobart, Indiana 10 minutes from Gary, and 30 minutes from Chicago. Kuechenberg played football for the Hobart Brickies in his high school years.
wn.com/Bob_Kuechenberg -
Bob Lilly
Robert Lewis Lilly (born July 26, 1939 in Olney, Texas-) is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League and photographer. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.
Lilly played college football at Texas Christian University (TCU), where he was a two-time All-Southwest Conference pick and a consensus All-American. He was a 1961 member of the College Football All-America Team and was a 2006 inductee to the East-West Shrine Game Hall of Fame. Lilly was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1981. He is also a notable alumnus of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.
As a first-round draft pick in the 1961 NFL Draft, and the first draft pick in Dallas Cowboys franchise history, Lilly went on to be All-Pro seven times, and was selected to play in 11 Pro Bowl games. He was also drafted in the second round (14th overall) in the 1961 AFL Draft by the Dallas Texans (now Kansas City Chiefs) prior to the merger with the NFL.
Lilly began his career as a defensive end in 1961, but midway though the 1963 (his third) season Cowboys coach Tom Landry moved him to defensive tackle. Lilly made the adjustment becoming the main man in Dallas's vaunted "Doomsday Defense". As a tackle, Lilly was a first-team All-NFL choice every year from 1964 through 1969, then again in 1971. On January 17, 1971, the Cowboys finally made the Super Bowl, against the Baltimore Colts, only to lose the game, 16-13, on a field goal in the final nine seconds. However, in 1972 he and the rest of the Cowboys won the Super Bowl against the Miami Dolphins, 24-3. His 29-yard sack of Dolphin quarterback Bob Griese (an NFL Record) is one of the most memorable plays in Super Bowl defensive history. This was the signature play of his 14-year hall-of-fame career.
wn.com/Bob_Lilly -
Bob Mathias
Robert Bruce "Bob" Mathias (November 17, 1930 – September 2, 2006) was an American decathlete, two-time Olympic gold medalist, actor and United States Congressman representing the state of California.
Mathias was born in Tulare, California. He attended Tulare Union High School, where he was classmates and long time friends with Sim Iness, 1952 Olympic discus gold medalist. While at Tulare Union, Mathias took up the decathlon in early 1948, at the suggestion of his track coach, Virgil Jackson. During the summer after his high school graduation, he qualified for the United States Olympic team for the 1948 Summer Olympics held in London.
In the Olympics, Mathias's naïveté about the decathlon was exposed [1]. He was unaware of the rules in the shot put and nearly fouled out of the event. He almost failed in the high jump but was able to recover. Mathias overcame his difficulties and won the Olympic gold medal easily. He was the youngest gold medalist to win a track and field event.
Mathias continued to fare well in decathlons in the four years between the London games and the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. In 1948, Mathias won the James E. Sullivan Award as the nation's top amateur athlete, but because his scholastic record in high school did not match his athletic achievement, he spent a year at The Kiski School, a well-respected all boys boarding school in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania. He then entered Stanford University in 1949, played college football for two years and was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Mathias set his first decathlon world record in 1950 and led Stanford to a Rose Bowl appearance in 1952.
wn.com/Bob_Mathias -
Bob Reifsnyder
Robert Harland Reifsnyder (born 1937) is a retired professional American football player. An All-American at the United States Naval Academy, he was the 1957 recipient of the Maxwell Award for College Player of the Year.
He went on to play for the American Football League's New York Titans (1960–1961).
Reifsnyder was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997.
wn.com/Bob_Reifsnyder -
Bob Seagren
Robert "Bob" Seagren (born October 17, 1946) was an American pole vaulter, the 1968 Olympic champion.
A native of Pomona, California, Bob Seagren was one of the world's top pole vaulters in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He won six National AAU and four NCAA titles indoors and outdoors. Indoors he posted eight world bests between 1966 and 1969. He was also the Pan American Games champion in 1967. He jumped his first world record (5.32 m) in Fresno on May 14, 1966, followed by his world records 1967 in San Diego (5.36 m), 1968 in South Lake Tahoe (5.41 m) and 1972 in Eugene (5.63 m).
In 1968, Bob Seagren participated in his first Olympic Games in Mexico City. In an exciting contest, he won the gold medal with the top three vaulters, including silver medallist Claus Schiprowski (West Germany) and the bronze medal winner Wolfgang Nordwig (East Germany) reaching the same height (5.40 m).
Four years later, in Munich, he's best remembered for the Olympic gold medal he didn't get. In the 1972 Summer Olympics, a last-minute ruling barred the new banana-Pole from Olympic competition, forcing some vaulters, including Seagren, to compete with unfamiliar poles. East German Wolfgang Nordwig didn't use a Cata-Pole and won the gold medal, with Seagren coming second. It was the first time an American had failed to win the Olympic gold medal in the pole vault. In fact, no American would again win a gold medal in the pole vault until Nick Hysong won in 2000.
wn.com/Bob_Seagren -
Bobby Bell
Bobby Lee Bell, Sr (born June 17, 1940) is a former professional American football linebacker/defensive end. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the College Football Hall of Fame, and was a member of the Chiefs' team that won Super Bowl IV against the Minnesota Vikings.
He excelled in several sports at a then-segregated Cleveland High School in Shelby, North Carolina, where his first two years he played six-man football at halfback. During his junior year, his school converted to playing an eleven-man team where Bell served as quarterback. He won All-State honors.
At the University of Minnesota, Bell was switched to the defensive line and was a two time All-American (1961 & 1962), winner of the 1962 Outland Trophy as the nation's outstanding interior lineman, and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting. The Gophers with Bell were the 1960 National Champions, played in the 1961 Rose Bowl, and won the 1962 Rose Bowl Championship. Bell was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
wn.com/Bobby_Bell -
Bobby Garrett
Robert Driscoll "Bobby" Garrett (born August 16, 1932 in Los Angeles, California) was an American football quarterback who played one season in the National Football League.
Garrett was an All-American quarterback at Stanford University, where he also starred as a defensive back. In 1953, he became the third person to receive the W.J. Voit Memorial Trophy as the outstanding football player on the Pacific Coast. After being was named most valuable player of the Hula Bowl, he was drafted by the Cleveland Browns as the first overall selection in the 1954 NFL Draft. The Browns had needed someone to take over for the veteran Otto Graham, but they soon discovered that Garrett had a liability as a quarterback: he stuttered, which made calling plays difficult.
Garrett never played a game for the Browns, who traded him along with halfback Don Miller and linemen Johnny Bauer and Chet Gierula to the Green Bay Packers for quarterback Babe Parilli and offensive tackle Bob Fleck. The Packers wanted a backup for veteran Tobin Rote, but did not learn of Garrett's stuttering problem before making the trade. Garrett played just nine games in the NFL.
wn.com/Bobby_Garrett -
Bode Miller
Samuel Bode Miller (pronounced /ˈboʊdiː/; born October 12, 1977) is a World Cup alpine ski racer with the U.S. Ski Team. He is an Olympic and World Championship gold medalist, a two-time overall World Cup champion in 2005 and 2008, and can therefore be considered the most successful American alpine ski racer. Miller is also considered one of the greatest World Cup racers of all time with 33 victories, and is one of five other elite members to win World Cup events in all five disciplines.
In November 2004, Miller became the fifth and so far last man to win World Cup races in all five disciplines: slalom, giant slalom, Super-G, downhill, and combined − and today he is the only one with five or more victories in each discipline.
In 2008, Miller and Lindsey Vonn won the overall World Cup titles for the first U.S. sweep in 25 years.
He has won five medals in the Winter Olympics, the most of any U.S. skier − two silvers (giant slalom and combined) in Salt Lake City 2002, and a gold (super combined), a silver (Super G) and a bronze (downhill) in Vancouver 2010. Miller is one of five skiers who have won Olympic medals in four different disciplines, matching the feats of Kjetil André Aamodt and female racers Anja Pärson, Janica Kostelić, and Katja Seizinger.
wn.com/Bode_Miller -
Booker Edgerson
Booker Tyrone Edgerson (born July 5, 1939 in Baxter County, Arkansas) is a former American college and Professional Football player. This graduate of Western Illinois University was a cornerstone of the American Football League Buffalo Bills' defense in the mid-1960s, at left cornerback.
A four-year letterman (football, baseball, wrestling, track & field); in 1959 and 1960, he led the WIU football team to the only consecutive undefeated seasons in school history, and is in the WIU Hall of Fame.
Booker signed as a free agent with the Bills in 1962 and stepped into a starting role at left cornerback. He made a career-high six interceptions (including two in his first game, against Hall of Famer George Blanda), and was named to the AFL All-Rookie team.
Edgerson's college background as a sprinter and long jumper served him well in the demanding role of man-to-man pass coverage. The AFL featured many dangerous receivers at that time including San Diego's Lance Alworth. But Edgerson became one of the key components of the league's best defense, and he was the only man ever to catch Alworth from behind in a game.
wn.com/Booker_Edgerson -
Booker Moore
Booker Thomas Moore (June 23, 1959 – September 20, 2009) was an American football running back.
Moore set six high school records in football while attending Flint Southwestern Academy in Flint, Michigan. As a member of the Penn State Nittany Lions, Moore rushed for 2,072 yards and 20 touchdowns from 1977–80, and played for a national championship in the 1979 Sugar Bowl versus Alabama.
Moore was selected in the first round by the Buffalo Bills in the 1981 NFL Draft. He played four seasons for the Bills, appearing in 51 games from 1982 to 1985. He was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome shortly after being drafted.
Upon retirement in 1986, Moore became a Genesee County, Michigan sheriff's deputy. He died of a heart attack at his home in Flint on September 20, 2009.
wn.com/Booker_Moore -
Boomer Esiason
Norman Julius "Boomer" Esiason (pronounced /əˈsaɪ.əsən/; born April 17, 1961) is a retired American football quarterback and current network color commentator. He played for the National Football League's Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, and Arizona Cardinals before working as an analyst for ABC and HBO. He is currently an analyst for CBS Sports primarily on The NFL Today, as well as morning co-host on New York radio station WFAN and Monday Night Football analyst for Westwood One.
Esiason was born in West Islip, New York, and grew up in East Islip, New York, both on Long Island. He attended Timber Point Elementary and East Islip High School, where he graduated in 1979. In high school he was a three-sport varsity player in football, basketball, and baseball. Esiason got the "Boomer" nickname before he was born. His mother, reacting to his constant kicking in the womb, called him "Boomer," and he has kept the name since.
Esiason played college football at the University of Maryland for head coaches Jerry Claiborne and Bobby Ross and offensive coordinator Ralph Friedgen. At Maryland, he set 17 school records. Esiason completed 461 of 850 passes (54.2 percent) for 6,169 yards and 42 touchdowns with 27 interceptions. He was a two-time honorable mention All-American in 1982 and 1983. In his final home game he threw two third-quarter touchdown passes to lead a comeback victory over No. 3 North Carolina and seal the ACC title. Esiason graduated with a B.A. in 1984 and received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1999. He is today the best-known former Terrapin football players.
wn.com/Boomer_Esiason -
Bowie Kuhn
Bowie Kent Kuhn (/ˈbuːi ˈkjuːn/; October 28, 1926 – March 15, 2007) was an American lawyer and sports administrator who served as the fifth Commissioner of Major League Baseball from February 4, 1969, to September 30, 1984. He served as legal counsel for Major League Baseball owners for almost 20 years prior to his election as commissioner.
Kuhn was born in Takoma Park, Maryland, grew up in Washington, D.C., and graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School. He then attended Franklin and Marshall College in the V-12 Navy College Training Program before going to Princeton University in 1945. He graduated from Princeton with honors in 1947 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. He then received his law degree in 1950 from the University of Virginia where he served on the editorial board of the law review.
Following his graduation from law school, Kuhn became a member of the New York City law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher because the firm represented the National League. While working in baseball's legal affairs, Kuhn served as a counselor for the NL in a lawsuit brought against it by the City of Milwaukee when the Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta following the 1965 season.
wn.com/Bowie_Kuhn -
Brad Van Pelt
Brad Alan Van Pelt (April 5, 1951 – February 17, 2009) was an American football linebacker who played fourteen seasons in the National Football League.
A two-time All-American (1971, 1972) and the 1972 Maxwell Award winner as college football's best player, he was drafted by the New York Giants, earning five Pro Bowl selections at linebacker between 1976 to 1980 during his ten years with the team. He rounded out his career with the Los Angeles Raiders from 1984 to 1985, and the Cleveland Browns in 1986.
Van Pelt is the father of former Denver Broncos and Houston Texans quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt.
Van Pelt attended Owosso High School which was a member of the Big Nine Conference in Flint, Michigan. Dean Howe covered high school sports for the Flint Journal and recalled an incident involving Van Pelt:
"He was like a man among boys. He was about 6-5, 220. One night, his coach from Owosso called in and said he got 32 rebounds in a game. I didn't put that in the paper. I didn't believe that. So, the next game I went out when they played Davison and I just counted his rebounds and he got (42). He was just so dominant."
wn.com/Brad_Van_Pelt -
Brady Quinn
Brayden Tyler "Brady" Quinn (born October 27, 1984) is an American football quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame. Quinn has also played for the Denver Broncos.
Brayden Tyler "Brady" Quinn was born on October 27, 1984 in Columbus, Ohio, the middle child of Tyrone J. Quinn and Robin D. (née Slates) Quinn. He has an older sister, Laura Quinn, and a younger sister, Kelly Katherine Quinn. Laura Quinn is married to Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk, who played college football at the Ohio State University.
Quinn attended Dublin Coffman High School in Dublin, Ohio, and ranked sixth on the Detroit Free Press "Best of the Midwest" team and was listed at number 20 on ESPN's list of the nation's top 100 prospects.
As a junior in 2001, Quinn threw for 2,200 yards and 21 touchdowns to go along with 15 interceptions, posting a 9–4 record and helped lead Coffman to the Division I state semi-finals. As a senior in 2002, he threw for 2,149 yards, threw 25 touchdowns with four interceptions, and completed 143 of 258 pass attempts, and rushed for 108 yards and six touchdowns. Quinn helped his team post an 8–3 record and played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas. Quinn was named the Columbus Dispatch and Ohio Capital Conference Offensive Player of the Year and was an All-State choice. Quinn was named an All-Conference player in baseball as a junior and lettered three times. He was a member of Young Life, the Rock Solid Club, and Who's Who Among America High School Students.
wn.com/Brady_Quinn -
Brett Favre
Brett Lorenzo Favre (born October 10, 1969) is a former American football quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He was a 20-year veteran of the NFL, having played quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons (1991), Green Bay Packers (1992–2007), New York Jets (2008) and Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010). Favre is the only quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 70,000 yards, over 500 touchdowns, over 300 interceptions, and over 10,000 pass attempts. He officially retired on January 17, 2011.
Favre started at the quarterback position for the University of Southern Mississippi for four years before being selected in the second round of the 1991 NFL Draft by Atlanta (33rd overall). He was traded to Green Bay on February 10, 1992, for the 19th pick in the 1992 NFL Draft.
Favre became the Packers' starting quarterback in the fourth game of the 1992 season, and started every game through the 2007 season. He was traded to the New York Jets and started at quarterback for the 2008 season before signing with the Vikings on August 18, 2009 as their starting quarterback. He made an NFL record 297 consecutive starts (321 including playoffs).
wn.com/Brett_Favre -
Brian Sipe
Brian Winfield Sipe (born August 8, 1949) is a former professional American football quarterback who played in the National Football League from 1974 to 1983 and the United States Football League from 1984 to 1985.
Sipe was a college football star at San Diego State University, where he studied architecture. He also competed in the 1961 Little League World Series for El Cajon, California and prepped at Grossmont High School.
Although mostly sidelined for the first several years of his NFL career, Sipe was eventually recognized as one of the better quarterbacks in the Browns' history, winning the league's MVP Award in 1980. He is now the quarterback coach for the San Diego State Aztecs football program.
Drafted in the 13th round of the 1972 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, Sipe spent the first two years of his career as a member of the team's reserve squad, seeing no action on the field.
In 1974, Sipe started four games after helping the Browns come back from a 12-point deficit against the Denver Broncos on October 27. However, after winning just one of the four contests (a 21-14 victory against the New England Patriots on November 11), he was replaced by Mike Phipps.
wn.com/Brian_Sipe -
Bronko Nagurski
Bronislau "Bronko" Nagurski (November 3, 1908 – January 7, 1990) was a Canadian-born American football player. He was also a successful professional wrestler, recognized as a multiple-time world heavyweight champion.
Nagurski was born in Rainy River, Ontario, Canada, of Polish-Ukrainian descent, and his family moved to International Falls, Minnesota, when he was still a boy. His parents, "Mike" and Michelina Nagurski, were immigrants, from Western Ukraine (Halychyna/Galicia). Young Bronislau grew up working on his parents' farm and sawmill, delivering groceries for his father's grocery store and in his teens laboring at nearby timbering operations, growing into a powerfully muscular 6 footer.
Nagurski was discovered and signed by University of Minnesota Head Coach Clarence "Fats" Spears, who drove up to International Falls and arriving watched Nagurski out plowing a field. According to legend Spears asked directions to the nearest town, and Bronko lifted his plow and used it to point in the direction of town. He was signed on the spot to play for the Golden Gophers. Spears admitted he concocted the story on his long drive back to the University of Minnesota in St. Paul.
wn.com/Bronko_Nagurski -
Bruce Jenner
William Bruce Jenner (born October 28, 1949) is a former U.S. track and field athlete, motivational speaker, socialite and television personality. He won the gold medal for decathlon in the Montreal 1976 Summer Olympics.
Following his Olympic victory and the related recognition, his professional career evolved into being a television celebrity. By 1981 he had starred in several made-for-TV movies and was Erik Estrada's replacement on the top rated TV series CHiPs. Since the 2007 debut of Keeping Up with the Kardashians he has appeared as the step-father to the Kardashian sisters.
Bruce Jenner is originally from Mount Kisco, New York. He attended Newtown High School in Newtown, Connecticut, after spending a year at Sleepy Hollow High School in Sleepy Hollow, New York. Jenner earned a football scholarship and attended Graceland College (now Graceland University) in Iowa, but a knee injury forced him to stop playing football and he switched to the decathlon. He was mentored by Graceland's track coach L. D. Weldon, who was the first to recognize Jenner's potential and encouraged him to pursue the decathlon. Jenner debuted in the decathlon at the Drake Relays in 1970, placing fifth.
wn.com/Bruce_Jenner -
Bruno Magli
Bruno Magli is an Italian shoemaker, designing and handcrafting high-quality luxury shoes and accessories.
After learning the art from their grandfather, Magli and his siblings Marino and Maria started crafting women's shoes in a small basement in Bologna, Italy, in 1936. In 1947, the first factory was built, which also produced men's shoes. The current plant was built in 1969. In the 1980s, the Magli company developed a franchising retail network which led, in about twenty years, to around 40 "franchises", strewn around Europe, America, Japan, China and other Asian countries, and Australia.
Magli is now a privately-held upscale brand leader in men's and women's footwear, leather clothing, women's handbags, luggage items, small leather goods, and other accessories.
Bruno Magli shoes were in the spotlight during the O.J. Simpson murder trial. On June 19, 1995, FBI expert William Bodziak testified that the famous bloody shoe prints at the scene of the double murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman had been left by a size-12 pair of $230 Bruno Magli shoes ("Lorenzo" model). Simpson called the Brunos "ugly ass" shoes while denying he ever owned them. Photos were later shown to the jury of Simpson at a September 1993 football game, wearing shoes positively identified by Bodziak as size 12, Lorenzo-style Bruno Maglis. The actual shoes used during the crime have not been recovered.
wn.com/Bruno_Magli -
Bubba Smith
Charles Aaron "Bubba" Smith (February 28, 1945 – August 3, 2011) was an American professional football player who became an actor after his retirement from the sport. He first came into prominence at Michigan State University, where he twice earned All-American honors as a defensive end on the Spartans football team. He had a major role in a 10–10 draw with Notre Dame in 1966 that was billed as "The Game of the Century." He was one of only three players to have his jersey number retired by the program. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1988.
He played nine years in the National Football League (NFL) with the Baltimore Colts (1967–1971), Oakland Raiders (1973–1974) and Houston Oilers (1975–1976). The first selection of the 1967 NFL Draft, he was the Colts' starting left defensive end for five seasons who played in Super Bowls III and V, the latter with the winning side. He was named to two Pro Bowls and was a First-Team All-Pro in 1971. Despite being 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 meters) tall and weighing 265 pounds (120.20 kilograms), his tremendous speed and quickness usually caused him to draw two blockers.
wn.com/Bubba_Smith -
Buck Buchanan
Junious "Buck" Buchanan (September 10, 1940 – July 16, 1992) was an American collegiate and professional Football defensive tackle. He played for the Kansas City Chiefs in the American Football League (AFL) and in the National Football League (NFL).
Buchanan attended A. H. Parker High School in Birmingham, Alabama, and was a standout in football and basketball.
Buchanan attended Grambling State University and was a letterman in football and an NAIA All-America selection. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996. He is one of four players coached by Eddie Robinson enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
In 1963, the 6'7" 287 pound Buchanan was the first player selected overall in the AFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. Eddie Robinson, his coach at Grambling State, where he had been an NAIA All-American in 1962, called him "the finest lineman I have seen." Buchanan was the first black number one draft choice in Professional Football. He came from a small historically black university, a source that the NFL ignored and the AFL cultivated. In fact, the New York Giants had drafted Buchanan in the nineteenth round of the 1963 NFL Draft, the 265th player chosen overall.
wn.com/Buck_Buchanan -
Buster Ramsey
Garrard Sliger "Buster" Ramsey (March 16, 1920 – September 16, 2007) was an American football player who starred at William and Mary and was the first head coach of the American Football League's Buffalo Bills in 1960. Prior to coaching the Bills, and after a stint in the United States Navy during World War II, Ramsey played for the Chicago Cardinals from 1946–1951, a member of the 1947 World Champions. In 1951, Ramsey became a player-coach for the Cardinals before becoming the Defensive Coach for the Detroit Lions in 1952. During his tenure with the Lions, Ramsey is credited with devising the 4-3 defense, a staple of modern football, and being the first coach to blitz linebackers, a package he called Red Dog. The Lions won three World Championships in the 1950s with Ramsey running the defense. He developed Lions greats such as Yale Lary, Jack Christiansen, Jim David, and many others. In 1960, he was lured to the new AFL as coach of the Buffalo Bills. Though fired by Bills' owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. after the 1961 AFL season, Ramsey is credited for laying the foundation of one of the best defensive teams in the history of the AFL. He also had a brother, Knox Ramsey, who also starred for the College of William and Mary, the Chicago Cardinals, and the Washington Redskins. Ramsey was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1978.
wn.com/Buster_Ramsey -
Byron Nelson
John Byron Nelson, Jr. (February 4, 1912 – September 26, 2006) was an American PGA Tour golfer between 1935 and 1946.
Nelson and two other well-known golfers of the time, Ben Hogan and Sam Snead, were born within seven months of each other in 1912. Although he won many tournaments in the course of his relatively brief career, he is mostly remembered today for having won 11 consecutive tournaments and 18 total tournaments in 1945. He retired officially at the age of 34 to be a rancher, later becoming a commentator and lending his name to the HP Byron Nelson Championship, the first PGA Tour event to be named for a professional golfer. In 1974, Byron Nelson received the Bob Jones Award, the highest honor given by the United States Golf Association in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship in golf.
Nelson became the second recipient of the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997, and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. He received the 1994 Old Tom Morris Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, GCSAA's highest honor. Nelson was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2006.
wn.com/Byron_Nelson -
Byron White
Byron Raymond "Whizzer" White (June 8, 1917 – April 15, 2002) won fame both as a football halfback and as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Appointed to the court by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, he served until his retirement in 1993. He was married to Marion Lloyd Stearns in 1946 and the father of two children, Charles (Barney) Byron White and Nancy Pitkin White.
White was born in Fort Collins, Colorado. He was raised in the nearby town of Wellington, Colorado, where he obtained his high school diploma in 1930. He made a point of returning to Wellington on an annual basis for his high school reunions up until 1999 when his physical health worsened significantly. He died in Denver at the age of 84 from complications of pneumonia. He was the first and only Supreme Court Justice from the state of Colorado.
After graduating at the top of his Wellington high school class, White attended the University of Colorado at Boulder on a scholarship. He joined the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and served as student body president his senior year. Graduating in 1938, he won a Rhodes Scholarship to the University of Oxford and, after having deferred it for a year to play football, he went on to attend Hertford College, Oxford.
wn.com/Byron_White -
Calvin Hill
Calvin G. Hill (born January 2, 1947) is a retired American football running back who had a 12-year NFL career from 1969 to 1981. He played for the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins and Cleveland Browns. In 1975 he played for The Hawaiians of the World Football League.
Hill was named to the Pro Bowl team four times (1969, 1972, 1973 and 1974). In 1972 he became the first Cowboy running back to have a 1,000 yard rushing season (with 1,036 yards rushing); he repeated the feat in the following season with 1,142 yards rushing.
Prior to attending ninth grade, he was awarded a scholarship by his family doctor, Dr. William C. Wade, to attend the Riverdale Country School in The Bronx, New York. At Riverdale he was an accomplished athlete in football, basketball, baseball, and track and field, often leading teams that defeated athletic arch-rival Horace Mann School.
It was at Riverdale that he started playing football. He was named the starting quarterback as a sophomore, running the T formation on a team that accomplished a 51-game winning streak.
wn.com/Calvin_Hill -
Cam Newton
Cameron Jerrell Newton (born May 11, 1989) is an American football quarterback for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Auburn Tigers and was drafted as the first overall pick by the Panthers in the 2011 NFL Draft. He is the third player to be awarded the Heisman Trophy, win a national championship, and be the first overall pick in the NFL draft all in the same one-year span, joining Leon Hart (1950), and Angelo Bertelli (1944).
Newton is the son of Cecil Newton, Sr., who was cut as a safety from the pre-season rosters of the 1983Dallas Cowboys and 1984Buffalo Bills, and he is the younger brother of Cecil Newton, Jr., a center who currently plays for the Baltimore Ravens.
Newton was initially a member of the Florida Gators before transferring to Blinn College, where his team won a national junior college football championship. Newton was then recruited by head coach Gene Chizik of Auburn University and transferred once more. He became just the third player in major college football history to both rush and pass for 20 or more touchdowns in a single season. His performance earned him the Heisman Trophy as the most outstanding college football player, and he led Auburn to their second national championship in school history, despite controversy concerning his eligibility. In his NFL debut, Newton became the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to throw for 400 yards in his NFL regular-season opener, breaking Peyton Manning's rookie record.
wn.com/Cam_Newton -
Carl Eller
Carl Eller (born January 25, 1942) is a former professional American football player in the National Football League who played from 1964 through 1979. He was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and attended the University of Minnesota. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
At the University of Minnesota Eller joined Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, via the Mu Chapter while at the University of Minnesota.
As a sophomore, Eller helped lead the Gophers to a Rose Bowl victory. While Eller shared the starting position as a sophomore he became a full-time, two-way player as a junior and senior and was voted All-America both years. During his time in college the Gophers were National Champions as well as Big Ten champions. As a senior (1963) Eller was the runner-up for the Outland Trophy. Following each football season, the Carl Eller Award is given to the University of Minnesota's Defensive Player of the Year. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
In 1964 Eller was drafted in the first round of the NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings and also drafted in the first round of the American Football League Draft by the Buffalo Bills, who could not sign him. As the left defensive end in the Vikings front four, he was a major factor in the unit known as the "Purple People Eaters".
wn.com/Carl_Eller -
Carl Hubbell
Carl Owen Hubbell (June 22, 1903 – November 21, 1988) was an American baseball player. He was a member of the New York Giants in the National League from 1928 to 1943, and remained on the Giants' payroll for the rest of his life, long after their move to San Francisco.
Twice voted the National League's Most Valuable Player, Hubbell was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1947. From 1936 to 1937 Hubbell set the major league record of consecutive wins by a pitcher with 24. He is perhaps best remembered for his performance in the 1934 All-Star game, when he struck out in succession five of the game's great hitters. Hubbell's primary pitch was the screwball.
Hubbell was born in Carthage, Missouri and raised in Meeker, Oklahoma. He was originally signed by the Detroit Tigers and was invited to spring training in 1926. However, pitching coach George McBride and player-manager Ty Cobb weren't impressed with him. Additionally, they were concerned about his reliance on a screwball. Hubbell was sent to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the International League before the start of the season. He went 7–7 on a championship team. In 1927 he was invited to spring training again with Detroit, but McBride and Cobb still weren't impressed and sent him two steps down the minor-league ladder, to the Decatur Commodores of the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League. Despite going 14–7, the Tigers didn't invite him back for 1928, and he was sent to the Beaumont Exporters of the Texas League.
wn.com/Carl_Hubbell -
Carl Lewis
Frederick Carlton "Carl" Lewis (born July 1, 1961) is an American former track and field athlete, who won 10 Olympic medals including 9 gold, and 10 World Championships medals, of which 8 were gold. His career spanned from 1979 when he first achieved a world ranking to 1996 when he last won an Olympic title and subsequently retired. Lewis became an actor and has appeared in a number of films.
Lewis was a dominant sprinter and long jumper who topped the world rankings in the 100 m, 200 m and long jump events frequently from 1981 to the early 1990s, was named Athlete of the Year by Track & Field News in 1982, 1983 and 1984, and set world records in the 100 m, 4 x 100 m and 4 x 200 m relays. His world record in the indoor long jump has stood since 1984 and his 65 consecutive victories in the long jump achieved over a span of 10 years is one of the sport’s longest undefeated streaks.
Over the course of his long athletics career, Lewis broke ten seconds for the 100 metres 15 times and twenty seconds for the 200 metres 10 times.
wn.com/Carl_Lewis -
Carl Yastrzemski
Carl Michael Yastrzemski ( /jəˈstrɛmski/; nicknamed "Yaz"; born August 22, 1939) is a former American Major League Baseball left fielder and first baseman. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989. Yastrzemski played his entire 23-year baseball career with the Boston Red Sox (1961–1983). He was primarily a left fielder, with part of his later career played at first base and as a designated hitter. Yastrzemski is an 18-time All-Star, the possessor of seven Gold Gloves, a member of the 3000 hit club, and the first American League player in that club to also accumulate over 400 home runs. He is second on the all-time list for games played, and third for total at-bats. He is the Red Sox' all-time leader in career RBIs, runs, hits, singles, doubles, total bases, and games played, and is second on the team's list for home runs behind another Red Sox great, Ted Williams, his predecessor in left field. In 1967, Yastrzemski achieved a peak in his career, leading the Red Sox to the American League pennant for the first time in over two decades, in that season being voted the American League MVP, and being the most recent winner of the triple crown for batters in the major leagues.
wn.com/Carl_Yastrzemski -
Carson Palmer
Carson Palmer (born December 27, 1979) is an American professional football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Southern California and won the Heisman Trophy in 2002. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals first overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He has been selected to two Pro Bowls.
Palmer was born in Fresno, California. He attended Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
By the time he was in seventh grade, Palmer had remarkable size and arm strength for his age. His father, Bill Palmer, enrolled him in private classes in Orange County taught by quarterback guru Bob Johnson.
Palmer's father was working on the East Coast when Palmer was scheduled to enroll in Santa Margarita Catholic High School as a freshman. Initially, the plan was to move the family to the East Coast but after careful consideration, Bill Palmer realized that the level of competition in California was best for Palmer. Palmer enrolled at Santa Margarita and Bill Palmer commuted home on weekends via airplane.
wn.com/Carson_Palmer -
Chan Gailey
Thomas Chandler Gailey, Jr. (born January 5, 1952) is an American professional and college football coach. Gailey is the current head coach of the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL); he was formerly the head coach of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets college football team.
Gailey previously served as offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins in 2000–01 when the Dolphins posted consecutive 11–5 records. He was on the Pittsburgh Steelers staff from 1994-97 when the Steelers won four straight AFC Central titles and coached in one Super Bowl (XXX). He was offensive coordinator in 1997 when Pittsburgh ranked sixth in the NFL in total offense and seventh in scoring. Gailey served as the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2008 and three games of the 2009 pre-season before he was relieved of duties by Chiefs head coach Todd Haley.
Gailey was born in Gainesville, Georgia in 1952. He attended Americus High School in Americus, Georgia, where he was an Eagle Scout, and a letterman in high school football, basketball, baseball and golf. In football, he was an all-state selection as quarterback. Gailey graduated from Americus High School in 1970.
wn.com/Chan_Gailey -
Charle Young
Charle Edward Young (born February 5, 1951 in Fresno, California) is a former American football tight end who played for 13 seasons in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1973–1976, the Los Angeles Rams from 1977–1979, the San Francisco 49ers from 1980–1982, and the Seattle Seahawks from 1983–1985. He was drafted by the Eagles in the first round of the 1973 NFL Draft. He played college football at USC.
Young attended Edison High School in Fresno, California, where he led his high school basketball team to the valley playoffs.
A unanimous first-team All-America in 1972, Young appeared in the Hula Bowl and College All-Star Game. A First-Team All-Conference selection, he led USC to a Rose Bowl appearance, a Pacific-8 Conference title and National Championship in 1972. Named USC’s Lineman of the Year in 1972, Young’s 62 receptions were a school record by a tight end. In three seasons, he amassed 1,008 receiving yards and ten touchdowns. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
wn.com/Charle_Young -
Charles Woodson
Charles C. Woodson (born October 7, 1976) is an American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Michigan for the Michigan Wolverines. In 1997, Woodson led the Wolverines to a national championship. He is the only player in the history of NCAA Division I-A football to win the Heisman Trophy as a primarily defensive player, edging out then University of Tennessee and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning.
Woodson was selected by the Oakland Raiders with the fourth pick in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft. In his first season with Oakland, Woodson was selected as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press. He was named to the Pro Bowl and earned All-Pro recognition three consecutive times (1999–2001). In a memorable 2002 AFC playoff match against the New England Patriots, Woodson seemed to have clinched the game by laying a hit on quarterback Tom Brady and forcing a fumble, but the ruling was controversially overturned. Woodson later battled several nagging injuries in consecutive seasons in Oakland, leading to his departure and becoming a free agent after the 2005 NFL season.
wn.com/Charles_Woodson -
Charley Trippi
Charles Louis Trippi (born December 14, 1921) is a former professional American football player for the Chicago Cardinals. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968.
Trippi currently resides in Athens, Georgia. The football stadium at Pittston Area High School (Pittston, Pennsylvania) is named "Charley Trippi Stadium" in his honor.
Trippi attended the University of Georgia and was a two-time All-America selection. He played for Georgia in 1942 along side Heisman winner Frank Sinkwich. Georgia finished the season 11-1 and were named consensus national champions. He was named Most Valuable Player in the 1943 Rose Bowl in Georgia's 9-0 victory over UCLA. After his college career was interrupted by World War II, he completed his career at Georgia by playing in 1945 and 1946. He won the Maxwell Award in the 1946 season. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.
Trippi lives in Athens, Georgia with his second wife, Margaret. He had three children, Charles Jr., Brenda, and Jo Ann with his first wife, Virginia, who died in 1971. Charley Trippi's grandson, Nick Trippi, also resides in Athens, GA. He is a decorated military policeman in the United States Marine Corps having served two tours in Iraq where he received the Purple Heart, and one tour in Afghanistan. He is currently the head of security and surveillance at the Cloud, one of Athens largest night clubs.
wn.com/Charley_Trippi -
Charlie Finley
Charles Oscar Finley (February 22, 1918–February 19, 1996), nicknamed Charlie O or Charley O, was an American businessman who is best remembered for his tenure as the owner of the Oakland Athletics Major League Baseball team. Finley purchased the franchise while it was located in Kansas City, moving it to Oakland in 1968.
Finley was born in Ensley, Alabama, but was raised in Gary, Indiana, and later lived in La Porte, a small town 60 miles east of Chicago. In 1946 he had a bout of tuberculosis that nearly killed him. Finley made his fortune in the insurance business, being among the first to write group medical insurance policies for those in the medical profession.
Finley showed a penchant for flair and inventive business practices. Sometimes, when wooing prospective customers, Finley would drive the client through the richest section of Gary. Pointing out a large mansion, Finley would declare "That's my place there, but I'm having it remodeled right now." Finley's fortunes grew and he ended up owning a 40 story insurance building in downtown Chicago. When Finley bought his personal property in Laporte, he hired John Mihelic as his ranch caretaker. The property was a working cattle ranch which consisted of an 18th century 11 room colonial manor house and 9 barns and various outbuildings. Finley had a large mansion built on the property which featured rounded portico's and columns which resembled the White House in Washington D.C. Mihelic and his family then moved into the original house and lived there as manager and caretakers.
wn.com/Charlie_Finley -
Charlie Sanders
Charles Alvin Sanders (born August 25, 1946) is a former American football player who played tight end for the Detroit Lions from 1968-77. On February 3, 2007, Sanders was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Sanders attended James B. Dudley High School in Greensboro, North Carolina and the University of Minnesota. The Lions chose him in the third round of the 1968 NFL Draft, and he became their starting tight end for the next ten seasons. He had 336 career receptions and was known as a superior blocker as well as a receiver. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl seven times (1968–1971 and 1974–1976), and was named to the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team as selected by voters of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Sanders is also a member of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. In 2008 he was chosen as a member of the Detroit Lions 75th Anniversary All Time Team.
Sanders served as a color analyst on Lions radio broadcasts from 1983–88, worked with the team as an assistant in charge of wide receivers from 1989–96, and is currently their assistant director of pro personnel. In 2005, he co-authored Charlie Sanders' Tales from the Detroit Lions, a book of anecdotes about the team and its players.
wn.com/Charlie_Sanders -
Charlie Ward
Charlie Ward, Jr. (born October 12, 1970) is a retired American professional NBA basketball player, college football Heisman Trophy winner, Davey O'Brien Award winner and a Major League Baseball draftee. Ward is considered one of the best all-around athletes in the last quarter century. He was inducted in the College Football Hall of Fame with Emmitt Smith and Bobby Bowden in 2006.
Ward won the 1993 Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, and Davey O'Brien Award as a quarterback for Florida State University, and subsequently led the Seminoles to their first-ever National Championship when FSU defeated Nebraska 18–16 in the 1993 Orange Bowl. The Seminoles had suffered their only defeat of the season to a second-ranked Notre Dame team, but their path to the National Championship was cleared a week later when the Irish were upset at home by Boston College. Ward holds the second-largest margin of victory in the history of Heisman trophy balloting, with a 1,622 point difference, second only to O.J. Simpson's 1,750 point win in 1968. He was also the only Heisman winner to play in the NBA. In 1993, Charlie Ward won the James E. Sullivan Award from the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) as the most outstanding amateur athlete in the United States. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
wn.com/Charlie_Ward -
Chester Marcol
Czesław "Chester" Marcol (born October 24, 1949 in Opole, Poland) is a former American Football Placekicker for the Green Bay Packers. He was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1987.
Marcol lived in Poland until the age of fifteen, when his father committed suicide, forcing Marcol's mother to send their family to the United States. He attended Imlay City High School in Michigan without much knowledge of the English language. In Poland Marcol had great kicking abilities in soccer. His gym teacher discovered his talent and showed him the game of football. Marcol went on to attended Hillsdale College, also in Michigan, where he was named NAIA All-American and holds the record for longest field goal.
Marcol was selected by Green Bay Packers coach Dan Devine in the Second Round of the 1972 NFL Draft. He scored 128 points his rookie year, leading the league in scoring, and was named NFC Rookie of the Year and All-Pro.
He may best be known for his game-winning touchdown against the Chicago Bears on 7 September 1980. On opening day of the 1980 NFL season, the Packers were tied with the Bears 6-6 in overtime. A 32-yard pass from Lynn Dickey to James Lofton helped set up a 34-yard attempt to win the game for the Packers. Marcol's kick was blocked and came straight back to his facemask. He caught the ball and ran around the startled Bears in what appeared to be sheer fright. Marcol was able to run 25 yards into the end-zone to give the Packers a 12-6 victory.
wn.com/Chester_Marcol -
Chevy Chase
Cornelius Crane "Chevy" Chase (/ˈtʃɛvi/; born October 8, 1943) is an American comedian, writer, and television and film actor. Born into a prominent New York family, Chase worked a plethora of odd jobs before moving into comedy acting with National Lampoon. He quickly became a key cast member in the inaugural season of Saturday Night Live, where his Weekend Update skit soon became a staple of the show. Chase is also well known for his portrayal of the character Clark Griswold in four National Lampoon's Vacation films, and for his roles in other successful comedies such as Caddyshack (1980), Fletch (1985), and ¡Three Amigos! (1986). He has hosted the Academy Awards twice (1987 and 1988) and briefly had his own late-night talk show, The Chevy Chase Show. Since 2009, he has appeared as Pierce Hawthorne on the NBC comedy series Community.
Chase was born in Lower Manhattan, New York City. His father, Edward Tinsley "Ned" Chase, was a prominent Manhattan book editor and magazine writer. His mother, Cathalene Parker (née Browning), a concert pianist and librettist, was the daughter of Miles Browning, who served a critical role at the Battle of Midway in World War II; she was adopted as a child by her stepfather, Cornelius Vanderbilt Crane, heir to Crane Plumbing, and took the name Cathalene Crane. As a child, Chase vacationed at Castle Hill, the Cranes' summer estate in Ipswich, Massachusetts.[citation needed]
wn.com/Chevy_Chase -
Chris Hanburger
Christian G. Hanburger, Jr. (born August 13, 1941 in Fort Bragg, North Carolina) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League who played his entire fourteen year career with the Washington Redskins from 1965 to 1978. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
After being a star end for the "Crabbers" at Hampton High School in Hampton, Virginia, Hanburger joined the Army. Years later, he accepted a scholarship from the University of North Carolina, where he played college football. From 1962 until 1964, Chris played for the Tar Heels on offense, at the center position, as well as on defense, as a middle linebacker. During his stay at UNC, Hanburger was named the All-Atlantic Coast Conference center as both a junior and senior. In 1963 he helped lead his team to the Gator Bowl and an ACC Championship.
wn.com/Chris_Hanburger -
Chris Spielman
Charles Christopher Spielman (born October 11, 1965) is a former American football player and is currently an analyst for ESPN's coverage of college football games.
Spielman graduated from Washington High School in Massillon, Ohio, where he was awarded the Dial Award for the national high-school scholar-athlete of the year in 1983. He is a 1988 graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in recreation education. He was a two-time All-American, intercepted 11 passes, and won the Lombardi Award as the best college football lineman or linebacker. Spielman was drafted 29th in the 1988 NFL Draft, by the Detroit Lions.
Spielman played eight seasons with the Lions (1988–95), and was a defensive stalwart during the team’s run to four playoff appearances, two NFC Central titles, and a berth in the 1992 NFC Championship Game.
He captained the Lions defense that was one of the best statistically in the NFL in the mid-1990s. Spielman is Detroit’s all-time leader in career tackles with 1,138 (since the team began recording tackles statistically in 1973.)
wn.com/Chris_Spielman -
Chris Weinke
Christopher Jon Weinke (born July 31, 1972 in Saint Paul, Minnesota) is a former professional American football and baseball player. After spending six years in the Toronto Blue Jays minor league baseball system, he enrolled at Florida State University at the age of 26, and played quarterback for the Florida State Seminoles. He thereafter played professionally in the National Football League, where he spent most of his career with the Carolina Panthers.
Weinke played minor league baseball in the Toronto Blue Jays farm system from 1990–1996, advancing to class Triple-A, before deciding to attend Florida State University. He quickly distinguished himself as starting quarterback, leading the team to victory in the 1999 National Championship. In 2000, at 28, he became the oldest person to receive the Heisman Trophy. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the 2001 NFL Draft, where he served mostly as backup quarterback until being released in 2006. He then spent one season with the San Francisco 49ers before leaving the NFL after the 2007 season.
wn.com/Chris_Weinke -
Christopher Darden
Christopher Allen Darden (born April 7, 1956) is an American lawyer, writer, lecturer and practicing attorney. He was a 15-year veteran of the Los Angeles County District Attorney, where he was assigned to the prosecution of O. J. Simpson. Darden gained fame during the O. J. Simpson murder case when he asked Simpson to try on the once-blood-soaked gloves.
Darden received his B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration from San Jose State University (1977) and his law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law (1980).
During his tenure as a prosecutor, Darden was the Assistant Head Deputy Attorney of the Special Investigations Division where he tried 27 homicide cases.
After leaving the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in 1995, Darden joined the faculty at California State University, Los Angeles, where he taught criminal law. That same year, he was appointed Associate Professor of Law at Southwestern University School of Law, Los Angeles specializing in criminal procedure and trial advocacy. He left the law school in 1999 and immediately started his own firm, Darden & Associates, Inc., specializing in criminal defense and civil litigation. He is currently of Counsel to THE FOXX FIRM, PLC, a private criminal defense and civil litigation firm in Culver City, California.
wn.com/Christopher_Darden -
Chuck Bednarik
Charles Philip Bednarik (born May 1, 1925) is a former professional American football player, known as one of the most devastating tacklers in the history of football and the last two-way player in the National Football League. A Slovak American from the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania, he is perhaps best remembered for a tackle on the New York Giants' Frank Gifford, then a star running back, that knocked Gifford out of professional football for a year and a half, and shortened Gifford's playing career.
Bednarik played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1949 through 1962 and, upon retirement, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967 (his first year of eligibility).
Bednarik currently resides in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley. His great-nephew, Adam Bednarik, was the starting quarterback at West Virginia University, before suffering an injury in 2005 that opened the door for fellow freshman Pat White, who never relinquished the starting position.
His parents emigrated in 1920 from Široké, a village in eastern Slovakia, for work, settling in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and working for Bethlehem Steel. Their son Charles was born in 1925. He attended school at SS. Cyril & Methodius in Bethlehem, which was a Slovak parochial school with Slovak the language of instruction.
wn.com/Chuck_Bednarik -
Chuck Foreman
Walter E. "Chuck" Foreman (born October 26, 1950) is a retired American football football player. He was a running back during his National Football League career, and often caught passes out of the backfield.
Foreman was a standout athlete in football, basketball and track at Frederick High School in Frederick, Maryland. His ability in football to catch passes out of the backfield was evident throughout his years on varsity at Frederick High School. He played center on Frederick High's outstanding basketball team, which narrowly missed the state title his senior year.
Foreman attended the University of Miami, where he played defensive back, wide receiver and running back.
The Minnesota Vikings first round draft choice in 1973, Chuck Foreman was selected with the 12th overall pick in the draft. He was a consensus choice as the National Football Conference (NFC) Rookie of the Year in 1973, when he rushed for 801 yards on 182 attempts and caught 37 passes for 362 yards.
Foreman was named NFC player of the year by The Sporting News in 1974 and by UPI in 1976. He was named All-Pro in 1975 and played in five consecutive Pro Bowls (1973–1977). Foreman had 3 straight seasons rushing for 1,000+ yards (1975–1977) and scored a then NFC record 22 Touchdowns in 14 games during the 1975 campaign. Foreman just missed a rare NFC 'Triple Crown' (rushing yards, receptions & TDs) in 1975 as well. During the last regular season game of 1975 the Vikings were playing the Buffalo Bills at Rich Stadium on Saturday, December 20 --- a nationally televised game on CBS --- during a classic Buffalo, NY snowstorm. Foreman was having a fantastic game despite the conditions. He would finish with 85 yards rushing, 10 receptions and four TDs in less than three quarters. After Foreman's third score (which gave him 21 TDs for the year, one shy of the NFL mark), Fran Tarkenton joked in the huddle, "Anybody who gets to the one-yard line, go out of bounds. We want some touchdowns for Chuck."
wn.com/Chuck_Foreman -
Chuck Fusina
Charles Anthony Fusina (born May 31, 1957) is a former American college and professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) and United States Football League (USFL) for seven seasons during the 1970s and 1980s. He played college football for Penn State University, and was recognized as an All-American. Fusina played professionally for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers of the NFL, and the Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars of the USFL.
Fusina was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He played quarterback for the Pittsburgh area Sto-Rox High School in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, where his old football jersey is on display outside of the gymnasium.
Fusina capped an outstanding career at Penn State by winning the 1978 Maxwell Award, All-America honors and finishing runner-up in the 1978 Heisman Trophy balloting. He led the Nittany Lions to a 29-3 mark as a starter, including an 11-0 regular season in 1978. He passed for 1,859 yards and 11 touchdowns.
wn.com/Chuck_Fusina -
Chuck Knox
Charles Robert "Chuck" Knox (born April 27, 1932) is a former American football coach at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. He is best remembered as head coach of three National Football League (NFL) teams, the Seattle Seahawks, the Buffalo Bills, and the Los Angeles Rams, serving two separate stints with the latter team over more than two decades.
Knox was born in the Pittsburgh suburb of Sewickley, Pennsylvania. Whenever Knox felt something was common sense, he would say it was "eighth-grade Sewickley."
The son of a steel worker who had emigrated from Ireland and a Scottish-born mother, Knox developed into a 190-pound tackle at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, playing on both sides of the ball and serving as co-captain of the 1953 unit, the first undefeated team in school history. Also competing in track, Knox graduated in 1954.
Knox then served as an assistant at Juniata that fall. He stayed in the Keystone State the following year as an assistant coach at Tyrone High School, then began the first of three years as head coach at Ellwood City High School in 1956. During his first year at Ellwood, Knox had just 18 players, but by his final year, 85 players were on the squad.
wn.com/Chuck_Knox -
Chuck Long
Charles Franklin "Chuck" Long, Jr. (born February 18, 1963) is an American football coach. He played quarterback in college at Iowa for Hayden Fry and professionally with the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams. He is an inductee of the College Football Hall of Fame. In the January 2008 issue of San Diego Magazine he was chosen as one of the "50 People to Watch in 2008". He was fired by San Diego State University as its head football coach on November 23, 2008. Long was the offensive coordinator for the Kansas Jayhawks under head coach Turner Gill. before Gill was fired in 2011.
Born in Norman, Oklahoma, and raised in Wheaton, Illinois, Long attended Wheaton North High School and played football, basketball and baseball. He led his team to the 1979 state title in football as the starting quarterback and was named to the all-state championship squad. Long also gathered all-state honors in 1980.
Still, Long was not heavily recruited out of high school, as Long averaged only five to six pass attempts per game. As a result, he did not receive his first recruiting call until Thanksgiving of his senior year. Just three schools looked into offering him a scholarship: Northern Illinois, Northwestern, and Iowa. Long eventually accepted a scholarship to play at Iowa for future Hall of Fame coach Hayden Fry.
wn.com/Chuck_Long -
Cito Gaston
Clarence Edwin "Cito" Gaston ( /ˈsiːtoʊ ˈɡæstən/; born March 17, 1944) is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. His major league career as a player lasted from 1967–1978, most notably for the San Diego Padres and the Atlanta Braves. His managerial career was with the Toronto Blue Jays where he became the first African-American manager in Major League history to win a World Series title.
Cito Gaston managed the Toronto Blue Jays from 1989 to 1997, and again from 2008 to 2010. During this time, he managed the Blue Jays to four Division Titles (1989, 1991, 1992 and 1993), two American League Pennants (1992 and 1993) and two World Series (1992 and 1993).
Gaston grew up in San Antonio and Corpus Christi, Texas, where his father was a truck driver. His career ambitions were either to be a truck driver like his father, or make into the Major Leagues. He adopted his nickname 'Cito' in preference to his given name 'Clarence'. Gaston later told Toronto Blue Jays broadcasters that the name was taken from a Mexican-American wrestler he watched as a young man in Texas. Other reports state that Gaston was given this nickname from a friend named Carlos Thompson who thought that Gaston resembled a Mexican wrestler named "Cito".
wn.com/Cito_Gaston -
Claude Humphrey
Claude B. Humphrey (born June 29, 1944 in Memphis, Tennessee) is a former American football defensive lineman in the National Football League for the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles.
Humphrey was drafted out of Tennessee State University in the first round of the 1968 NFL Draft with the third overall choice by the Falcons. Humphrey was an All-American in 1967.
Humphrey's stellar career included being named First-team All-Pro five times (1971-'74, and 1977), Second- Team All-Pro three times (1969, 1970, 1976), and All-NFC six times (1970-'74, 1977). He was Second-Team All-NFC in 1976 when Humphrey unofficially recorded a career high 15 quarterback sacks. In addition Humphrey was named to the Pro Bowl six times over the span of his career (1970-'74 & 1977).
Humphrey finished out his career with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1979-'81. In 1980 Humphrey enjoyed a stellar season as a designated pass rusher, recording a team high 14½ sacks helping the Eagles become NFC Champions and earn a ticket to Super Bowl XV. He finished his career with 126½ career sacks with the Falcons and Eagles.
wn.com/Claude_Humphrey -
Cliff Branch
Cliff Branch (born August 1, 1948) is a retired American football wide receiver who spent his entire 14-year NFL career with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, winning three Super Bowl rings in Super Bowl XI, Super Bowl XV and Super Bowl XVIII. Branch holds the distinction of being the only wide receiver to be a member of all 3 Raiders Super Bowl teams.
Branch graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1972 where he was a 5-year letterman in football. During his time at Colorado, Cliff set the NCAA Division 1-A record for kickoffs returned for touchdowns with 8. Branch was selected in the fourth round of the 1972 NFL Draft with the 98th overall pick by the Oakland Raiders.
Branch spent his entire 14-year NFL career with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, winning three Super Bowl rings in Super Bowl XI, Super Bowl XV and Super Bowl XVIII. Branch caught 3 passes for 20 yards in Super Bowl XI, 5 passes for 62 yards and 2 touchdowns in Super Bowl XV, and 6 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl XVIII.
wn.com/Cliff_Branch -
Cliff Harris
Clifford Allen Harris (born November 12, 1948 in Fayetteville, Arkansas) is a former professional American football safety who played for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League for ten seasons.
Harris was not chosen in the 1970 NFL Draft out of NAIA school Ouachita Baptist University, but the Cowboys found him and invited him to training camp. He beat out Cowboys third-round draft choice Charlie Waters (who did not crack the starting lineup until the retirement of Cornell Green following the 1974 season) for the free safety position his rookie year. Military obligation caused him to miss the second half the season, although he returned in time for the Cowboys' victory in Super Bowl VI over the Miami Dolphins. He continued as starting safety until his retirement following the 1979 season. During his career he made five Super Bowl appearances, was chosen for the Pro Bowl six consecutive times and was voted All-Pro four times.
Harris was nicknamed "Captain Crash" by his teammates for his reckless pursuit of ball carriers. Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Larry Wilson said of Harris, "I feel Harris is the finest free safety in the business today. He changed the way the position is being played. You see other teams modeling their free safeties around the way Harris plays the pass, and striking fear in everyone on the field because he hits so hard." Harris made it a point to wear the pads of place kickers in order to keep his speed and quickness up.
wn.com/Cliff_Harris -
Clint Frank
Clinton E. Frank (September 13, 1915 – July 7, 1992) was an American football player. He played halfback for Yale University.
Frank attended Yale University, where he was a member of Skull and Bones, and graduated with a degree in economics. In football, he was a two-time team captain and All-American, and as a senior in 1937, he won the Heisman Trophy and the Maxwell Award.
Frank attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Air Corps, serving as an aide to General Jimmy Doolittle during World War II. Following the war he resumed his career in advertising. In 1954 Frank established Clinton E. Frank Inc., a Chicago based advertising agency which was sold to Campbell-Ewald Co. of Detroit in 1976.
Frank died in Evanston, Illinois.
wn.com/Clint_Frank -
Colt McCoy
Daniel Colt McCoy (born September 5, 1986) is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Texas at Austin.
McCoy was the starting quarterback for the Longhorns from 2006–2009 and won the 2008 Walter Camp Award and was the 2008 Heisman Trophy runner-up. McCoy is second to Boise's State's Kellen Moore in games won by a NCAA Division I quarter back. In his senior year, he won 13 of the top 15 major college player awards including quarterback of the year, offensive player of the year and outstanding football player of the year.
After sitting out the 2005 Longhorn season as a redshirt, McCoy was the starting quarterback for the 2006 Longhorn team. On November 4, 2006, McCoy threw his 27th touchdown pass in a win against Oklahoma State, to take sole possession of the Texas school record for most touchdowns ever thrown by a quarterback in a single season. Subsequently, in the 2006 Alamo Bowl on December 30, McCoy threw two touchdowns against University of Iowa to tie Nevada's David Neill for second place for freshman touchdowns in a single season. Also during the 2006 season, McCoy was named College Football News Big 12 Player of the Year and was named the quarterback to their "All Freshman Team". Injuries caused him to miss portions of the final two regular season games, but was able to play for the entire duration of the Longhorns' bowl game.
wn.com/Colt_McCoy -
Corbett Davis
Richard Corbett "Corby" Davis (December 8, 1914 in Lowell, Indiana – May 28, 1968 in Houlton, Maine) was an American football fullback. He was the first overall pick in the 1938 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Rams.
He spent four seasons with the Cleveland Rams, leaving pro football to enlist in the service in 1942. Corbett served as a rifleman with the Second Infantry Division in France during World War II. He was wounded in action in 1944, and continued his service in England after recovering from his injuries.
After returning to the States, Corbett worked as an official for games in the Big Ten Conference. From 1952 until his death, he worked for the Scott Foresman publishing company. He died while on a fishing trip in Maine in May 1968. He lost his footing while stepping out of a boat, fell on a tree branch, and ruptured his spleen.
wn.com/Corbett_Davis -
Corey Dillon
Corey James Dillon (born October 24, 1974) is a former American football running back. He played his ten-season career for the Cincinnati Bengals and the New England Patriots, wearing jersey number 28 for both teams. Dillon played college football the University of Washington where he wore the number 4.
Dillon attended Franklin High School. Dillon at Franklin teamed with his cousin, Ed Raiford, to form one of the state's all-time twosomes. Dillon and Raiford garnered Parade, USA, Best In The West and Tom Flemming All-American awards. Both were two-sport standouts, Raiford also starred as an All-State basketball player while Dillon starred in football and baseball. Dillon was also an excellent baseball catcher, and garnered All-Metro honors, and was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 1993 Major League Baseball draft.
Dillon played JC ball at Dixie State College of Utah in St. George, Utah, in 1995, and was chosen JC Offensive Back of the Year by College Sports magazine after rushing 279 times for 1999 yards and 20 TDs. In 1994, he rushed for 1165 yards and 16 TDs at Garden City Community College in Kansas.
wn.com/Corey_Dillon -
Craig Fertig
Craig Fertig (May 7, 1942 – October 4, 2008) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Oregon State University from 1976 to 1979, compiling a record of 10–34–1 (.233).
Fertig attended the University of Southern California where he was a star quarterback for the Trojans. In 1964, he set eight school passing records and threw the game-winning touchdown against Notre Dame.
Fertig's coaching career began in 1965 at USC. From 1965 to 1975, he served as an assistant coach with the Trojans, except for a year in the WFL in 1974. Fertig was hired as an assistant coach with the Portland Storm, but the team only lasted one season. The IRS impounded the franchise at the conclusion of the 1974 season. He returned to USC as an assistant in 1975.
In December 1975, Fertig was named the head coach at Oregon State University, with a three-year contract at $26,000 per year. He remained in that role with the Beavers from 1976 to 1979, where he posted a 10–34–1 record. He was fired in October 1979, in the second year of a three-year contract at $33,696 per year.
wn.com/Craig_Fertig -
Curley Culp
Curley Culp (born March 10, 1946, in Yuma, Arizona) is a former professional American football player. An offensive and defensive lineman, he played college football at Arizona State University, was the NCAA heavyweight wrestling champion while at ASU, and played professionally in the American Football League for the Kansas City Chiefs in 1968 and 1969, and for the National Football League Chiefs, Houston Oilers, and the Detroit Lions. He was an AFL All-Star in 1969 and a six-time AFC-NFC Pro Bowler.
At 6'1" and 265 lbs, Culp was considered a bit too short for the defensive line and a bit too slow to play linebacker. He moved from Denver to Kansas City in search of a team that could properly utilize his unique talents. Culp's play as a nose tackle actually took root in Super Bowl IV. Chiefs coach, Hank Stram, in an attempt to nullify the Minnesota Vikings' quick outside rushing attack, decided to line Culp directly nose-to-nose with Vikings center, Mick Tingelhoff. The smaller Tingelhoff could not block Culp one-on-one and had to be helped by the other linemen. This freed teammates, Buck Buchanan, Willie Lanier, and other Chiefs defenders to get into the Vikings offensive backfield and shut down their running game. This game is often credited as the advent of the 3-4 defense.[by whom?]
wn.com/Curley_Culp -
Curt Schilling
Curtis Montague Schilling (born November 14, 1966) is a former American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He helped lead the Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series in 1993 and won World Series championships in 2001 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and in 2004 and 2007 with the Boston Red Sox. Schilling retired with a career postseason record of 11–2. His .846 postseason winning percentage is a major-league record among pitchers with at least 10 decisions.
After retiring, he founded Green Monster Games which was renamed 38 Studios. The company released Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning in February 2012, but just three months later, Schilling laid off his entire staff amid severe financial troubles that resulted in the company missing payroll the previous week.
Schilling graduated from Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1985, before attending Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona.
Schilling began his professional career in the Red Sox farm system as a second-round pick in what would be the final January draft in MLB. He began his professional career with the Elmira Pioneers, a then Red Sox affiliate. After two and a half years in the minor leagues, he and Brady Anderson were traded to the Baltimore Orioles in 1988 for Mike Boddicker. His major league debut was with the Orioles (1988–1990), and he then spent one year with the Houston Astros (1991).
wn.com/Curt_Schilling -
Curtis Martin
Curtis James Martin, Jr. (born May 1, 1973) is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the New England Patriots and New York Jets over the course of ten years. Martin began his professional career with the Patriots, who selected him in the third round of the 1995 NFL Draft. He joined the Jets in 1998 where he finished his career in 2005 after he was forced into retirement due to injury. He retired having amassed the fourth highest total of rushing yards in NFL history. He was selected as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
Curtis Jr. was born to Rochella Dixon and Curtis Sr. on May 1, 1973. Curtis Sr. left the family in 1978 after turning to drugs and alcohol leaving Curtis' mother to support the family by working two jobs. Curtis often moved around the different neighborhoods in Pittsburgh during his youth and was consistently surrounded by violence. He and his mother settled in Point Breeze prior to his sophomore year of high school. He began to attend Taylor Allderdice High School which, was known for its highly regarded academic reputation in the Pittsburgh area. He played basketball as a sophomore but did not participate in any sports during his junior year. At the pleas of his mother, who wanted him to participate in a sport to keep him away from the violence, Curtis began to play football during his senior year despite having never cared much for the sport.
wn.com/Curtis_Martin -
Dan Dierdorf
Daniel Lee "Dan" Dierdorf (born June 29, 1949) is a former American football player and current television sportscaster. He played 13 NFL seasons and has worked for ABC and CBS as a color analyst since retiring from football.
Born in Canton, Ohio, Dierdorf played football at Glenwood High School in Canton (now GlenOak High School), then the University of Michigan before being drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2nd round of the 1971 NFL Draft.
At Michigan, Dan was a consensus All-American in 1970 and assisted the team to a 25–6 record in his 3 years as a starter. The Wolverines were Big Ten Champions in 1969. Dierdorf made all-conference in 1969 and 1970. He was chosen for the East-West Shrine Game and Hula Bowl and for the 1971 College All-Star Game. In 2000, Dierdorf was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. While in college, Dierdorf became a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity.
Dierdorf began his career as a guard and left tackle before settling in as a starter at right tackle in 1974. In 1982 he moved to center and was the starter in that season and became a back-up in his final year, 1983.
wn.com/Dan_Dierdorf -
Dan Fortmann
Dr. Daniel John Fortmann (April 11, 1916 – May 23, 1995) was a professional American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears. He played college football at Colgate University and was drafted in the ninth round of the 1936 NFL Draft. According to legend, Bears' owner George Halas, reportedly drafted Fortmann because his name had a good, solid football ring to it.
Uncertain as to whether to go to medical school or play football, Halas convinced Fortmann that he could do both. Dan enrolled at the University of Chicago, where he obtained his degree in 1940. He interned in Detroit and completed his surgical training in Pittsburgh. He then set up as a surgeon in Burbank, California, where he became the team physician for the Los Angeles Rams from 1947-1963.
Fortmann was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965. He was selected as an All-Pro guard for six consecutive years.
wn.com/Dan_Fortmann -
Dan Fouts
Daniel Francis Fouts (born June 10, 1951) is a retired Hall of Fame American football quarterback in the National Football League. Fouts played his entire professional career with the San Diego Chargers from 1973 through 1987. He was one of the most prolific passing quarterbacks during the 1970s and 1980s, but the Chargers were unable to make it to the Super Bowl during his fifteen-year career. He is currently a color commentator for NFL games on CBS. Dan is the son of Bay Area Radio Hall of Famer Bob Fouts.
Fouts went to Marin Catholic High School, which is located just north of San Francisco in Kentfield, California for his two first years of High School, and was starting for the varsity team by his sophomore year. He decided to transfer to St. Ignatius College Preparatory (San Francisco, CA) for his final two years of high school.
Fouts was somewhat of an unknown when he accepted the scholarship offer from the University of Oregon. Things were quite different after the All-Pac 8 quarterback's career where he set 19 school records, including those for career passing yardage (5,995) and total offense (5,871). He was inducted into the University of Oregon Hall of Fame in 1992.
wn.com/Dan_Fouts -
Dan Marino
Daniel Constantine "Dan" Marino, Jr. (born September 15, 1961) is a retired American football quarterback who played for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League. The last quarterback of the Quarterback Class of 1983 to be taken in the first round, Marino became one of the most prolific quarterbacks in league history, holding or having held almost every major NFL passing record. Despite never being on a Super Bowl-winning team, he is recognized as one of the greatest quarterbacks in American football history. Best remembered for his quick release and powerful arm, Marino led the Dolphins to the playoffs ten times in his seventeen-season career. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.
Marino was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, of Italian and Polish ancestry. He is the oldest child of Daniel and Veronica (Kolczynski) Marino, and has two younger sisters, Cindi and Debbie. His father delivered newspapers for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Marino grew up on Parkview Avenue in the South Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, and attended St. Regis Catholic Elementary School. He attended Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, where he started in baseball, and won Parade All-American honors in football. He was drafted in the 4th round by the Kansas City Royals baseball team in the 1979 amateur draft, but decided to play college football instead.
wn.com/Dan_Marino -
Dan Wilkinson
Daniel Raymon "Big Daddy" Wilkinson (born March 13, 1973) is a former American college and professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for thirteen seasons in the 1990s and 2000s. He played college football for The Ohio State University, was recognized as an All-American and received several national awards recognizing him as an outstanding college lineman. He was drafted first overall in the 1994 NFL Draft, and played professionally for the Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins of the NFL.
Wilkinson was born in Dayton, Ohio. He attended Dunbar High School in Dayton, and played for the Dunbar Wolverines high school football team.
Wilkinson received an athletic scholarship to attend Ohio State University, where he played for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team from 1993 to 1993. During his freshman season in 1991, the Buckeyes coaches redshirted and placed him on the scout team. At the time, Wilkinson weighed 348 pounds and played offensive tackle. During the season, he lost 48 pounds and began to play defense.
wn.com/Dan_Wilkinson -
Danny Wuerffel
Daniel Carl Wuerffel (born May 27, 1974) is a former American college and professional football quarterback who won the 1996 Heisman Trophy and the 1996 national football championship while playing college football for the University of Florida. After graduating from Florida, he played for four National Football League (NFL) teams, and retired from professional football in 2002. Since then, Wuerffel has led a non-profit organization engaged in Christian mission and charitable work in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Louisiana.
Danny Wuerffel was born in Pensacola, Florida in 1974, the son of a Lutheran minister who was a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force. While he was growing up, he and his family lived in South Carolina, Spain, Nebraska and Colorado before he attended Fort Walton Beach High School in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Wuerffel was a standout high school football and basketball player for the Fort Walton Beach Vikings. In football, he led the Vikings to an undefeated season as a senior quarterback, while winning the Florida Class 4A state football championship in 1991 and earning the No. 2 national ranking in USA Today. Wuerffel was widely considered the top high school football recruit in the state of Florida, and USA Today's high school player of the year in Florida during his senior year. He graduated from high school as his class valedictorian.
wn.com/Danny_Wuerffel -
Darian Hagan
Darian Hagan (born February 1, 1970) is a former American football and Canadian football player, who, since February 2005, is an assistant coach of the University of Colorado Buffaloes football team.
As an option quarterback at Colorado from 1988 to 1991, Hagan produced impressive offensive statistics operating Coach Bill McCartney's "I-Bone" offense. Due to veteran quarterback Sal Aunese being stricken with cancer, he took over the starting duties as a sophomore. When Aunese died, Hagan and the rest of the Buffaloes dedicated their season to their fallen comrade. In that 1989 season, he burst on the college football scene, and became the sixth player in the history of NCAA Division I-A to gain more than 1000 yards passing and more than 1000 yards rushing in the same season. He was the starting quarterback in 1990 when Colorado won a share of the NCAA Division I-A national football championship, and in 1989 to 1991 when Colorado was the Big Eight Conference champions. His record as quarterback for Colorado was 28–5–2 (20–0–1 in Big Eight). In Heisman Trophy voting he was 5th in 1989 with 242 points, 17th in 1990 with 17 points and 20th in 1991 with 12 points.
wn.com/Darian_Hagan -
Darren McFadden
Darren McFadden (born August 27, 1987) is an American football running back who currently plays for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Arkansas from 2005 to 2007. McFadden was drafted fourth overall by the Oakland Raiders in the 2008 NFL Draft.
McFadden graduated from Oak Grove High School in North Little Rock, Arkansas. A widely touted recruit, he chose to attend the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas where he would become a two-time member of the Associated Press All-America team as a tailback for the Razorbacks in 2006 and 2007. In 2006, he became the first sophomore to win the Doak Walker Award, the award honoring the nation's top collegiate running back. He joined Ricky Williams as only the second two-time winner after taking home the award again in 2007. McFadden also won the 2007 Walter Camp Award as the nation's best player and was also the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy two years in a row in 2006 and 2007.
wn.com/Darren_McFadden -
Darryl Talley
Darryl Victor Talley (born July 10, 1960) is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for fourteen seasons during the 1980s and 1990s. He played college football for West Virginia University, and was recognized as an All-American. Talley played professionally for the Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings of the NFL, and played in four Super Bowls with the Bills.
Talley played college football at West Virginia University. Many scouts were pushed away from him, because he played fullback and linebacker in high school, never settling on either position. He also missed his last seven high school games with a broken ankle.
He was a starter from 1979 to 1982 and led the Mountaineers to the 1981 Peach Bowl and the 1982 Gator Bowl. Against Pitt, he intercepted Dan Marino to set up a Mountaineer field goal and blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown. As a senior in 1982, he was selected as West Virginia's third-ever consensus All-American. He started the season off with a win over Oklahoma and was named WVU's season MVP and was named All-American. He also played in the 1983 Hula Bowl.
wn.com/Darryl_Talley -
Dave Casper
David John Casper (born September 26, 1951 in Bemidji, Minnesota), nicknamed "The Ghost." is a former American football player. He was an offensive lineman and tight end.
Casper spent his first 3 years of high school at St. Edward Central Catholic Highschool in Elgin, IL. His final year of high school was at Chilton High School in Chilton, Wisconsin. He was a member of the 1969 football team that outscored their opponents 363-0 in eight games. The small-town team was ranked eighth in the state behind the largest schools in the state; there was no playoff system at the time.
Casper played collegiate football at the University of Notre Dame, where he earned Honorable Mention All-America as a tackle in 1972. In 1973 he was an All-American on the 1973 National Championship Team He was the 1973 ND Offensive MVP and recorded 21 receptions for 335 yards and four touchdowns in career. He was drafted in the second round of the 1974 NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders. Casper only caught a total of 9 passes his first two seasons, but was a top 10 receiver in 1976. That season he had 53 catches for 691 yards and 10 touchdowns.
wn.com/Dave_Casper -
Dave Parks
David Wayne Parks (born December 25, 1941 in Muenster, Texas) is a former American football wide receiver in the NFL. He was the first overall selection in the 1964 NFL Draft out of Texas Technological College (now Texas Tech University). Parks was selected to three Pro Bowls. In 2008 Parks was selected to be enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame along with twelve other players and two coaches. Among the class of 2008 are such notables as Lou Holtz, Troy Aikman, Jay Novacek, and Thurman Thomas.
The former Texas Tech All-American and top pick in the 1964 NFL draft was selected for induction to the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame on Thursday during a televised press conference by the NFF on ESPNNEWS. He joins E.J. Holub and Donny Anderson as former Red Raiders previously enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
"Dave Parks is one of our greatest football players," Texas Tech Director of Athletics Gerald Myers said. "He's been successful at all levels and was one of our early All-Americans. We're proud of the things Dave accomplished in football and we are pleased and excited he's been voted into the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. This is great recognition for Texas Tech and an honor well-deserved for one of our former greats."
wn.com/Dave_Parks -
Dave Wilcox
David Wilcox (born September 29, 1942) is a former American football linebacker for the National Football League's San Francisco 49ers between 1964 and 1974. Wilcox was selected to play for seven Pro Bowls and was named All-NFL five times during his career. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
After graduating from Vale High School in 1961, Dave Wilcox played collegiate football at Boise Junior College (now Boise State University) before transferring to the University of Oregon for his final two campaigns. At Boise he earned junior college All-America honors. A guard on offense and an end on defense, Wilcox played in the Hula Bowl, Coaches’ All-America Bowl, and the College All-Star game. In 1964, he became the first defensive lineman in Hula Bowl history to earn outstanding lineman honors. In 1964, both the Houston Oilers of the young American Football League and the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League sought to sign the Oregon star. The Oilers drafted him in the 6th round (46th player overall) of the AFL draft, while the 49ers tapped him in the 3rd round (29th player overall) of the NFL draft.
wn.com/Dave_Wilcox -
David Carr
David Duke Carr (born July 21, 1979) is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans first overall in the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Fresno State.
Carr has also played for the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers.
Carr attended Stockdale High School in Bakersfield.
Carr began as the starting quarterback at Fresno State during the 2000 and 2001 seasons after redshirting in 1999. While he was quarterback, the Bulldogs went 7-5 and 11-3. In his senior season the team beat Colorado, Oregon State, and Wisconsin, all members of BCS conferences. There was speculation about whether the Bulldogs would qualify for a BCS bid, something then unprecedented for a 'Mid Major' conference team. They climbed to as high as number 8 in the polls, and Carr was on the cover of Sports Illustrated. During his collegiate career Carr completed 587 of 934 passes for 7,849 yards. He threw 70 touchdowns versus 23 interceptions. Carr collected the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award during his senior year.
wn.com/David_Carr -
Deacon Jones
David D. "Deacon" Jones (born December 9, 1938 in Eatonville, Florida) is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, and the Washington Redskins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.
Jones specialized in quarterback sacks, a term attributed to him. Nicknamed the "Secretary of Defense", Jones is considered one of the greatest defensive players ever. The Los Angeles Times called Jones "Most Valuable Ram of All Time," and former Rams head coach George Allen called him the "Greatest Defensive End of Modern Football".
Jones was born in Eatonville, Florida and lived in a four bedroom house with his family of ten. Jones attended Hungerford High School, where he played football, baseball, and basketball. During high school, Jones developed a lump in his thigh and learned that it was a tumor; he had surgery to remove it.
Jones' college football career consisted of a year at South Carolina State University in 1957, followed by a year of inactivity in 1958 and a final season at Mississippi Vocational College (since renamed Mississippi Valley State University) in 1960.
wn.com/Deacon_Jones -
Dennis Crane
Dennis Walter Crane (born February 23, 1945 in San Bernardino, California)(died November 30, 2003 in Scranton, Arkansas) is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants. He played college football at the University of Southern California and was drafted in the fourth round of the 1968 NFL Draft. After his NFL career Dennis Crane taught and Coached at Arkansasa Tech University as an assistant coach and later taught and coached High School Football in Paris Arkansas. His son D.J. also coaches high school football in Arkansas.
wn.com/Dennis_Crane -
Dennis Homan
Dennis Frank Homan (born January 9, 1946 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama) is a former professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons for the Dallas Cowboys (1968–1970) and the Kansas City Chiefs (1971–1972). He later played for the Birmingham Americans (1974) and Birmingham Vulcans (1975) of the World Football League. As a teenager, he played for the Muscle Shoals High School Trojans. In 2005, the Muscle Shoals City School System honored Dennis Homan by naming the field of James F. Moore Stadium, Dennis Homan Field. Homan played on the school's first football team and is the first Muscle Shoals High School player to be drafted into the NFL.
Prior to joining the NFL, Homan spent his college days at the University of Alabama, where he was named All-American, Academic All-American, and twice all-SEC. Homan was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 1999.
wn.com/Dennis_Homan -
Dennis Onkotz
Dennis Henry Onkotz (born February 6, 1948) was one of the many outstanding linebackers to come out of the Penn State University football program. He was named a Consensus All-American in 1968 and 1969. In 1995, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Onkotz played with the New York Jets in 1970, but an injury ended his National Football League career.
wn.com/Dennis_Onkotz -
Denny McLain
Dennis Dale "Denny" McLain (born March 29, 1944) is an American former professional baseball player. He played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball for ten seasons, most notably for the Detroit Tigers. In 1968, McLain became the last pitcher in Major League Baseball to win 30 or more games during a season (31–6)— a feat accomplished by only thirteen players in the 20th century.
McLain was brash and outspoken, sometimes creating controversy by criticizing teammates and fans with little provocation. His stellar performance at the beginning of his professional baseball career was a marked contrast to his personal life, where he became associated with organized crime and was eventually convicted on charges of embezzlement and served time in prison.
McLain was born in Markham, Illinois and attended Mt. Carmel High School in Chicago, where he played on the baseball team as a shortstop and pitcher. As a teenager, he met his future wife, Sharyn Boudreau, the daughter of former major league player, Lou Boudreau. McLain was also musically talented, learning to play the organ from his father.
wn.com/Denny_McLain -
Derrick Burroughs
Derrick D'wayne Burroughs (born May 18, 1962) is an American football coach and former cornerback who played five seasons in the National Football League for the Buffalo Bills. He is currently the head football coach at Lane College, a position he has held since February 2010.
Burroughs began his coaching career in 1995 as assistant head coach/defensive coordinator for Knoxville College. Three years later, he joined the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe in the role of running backs coach. Burroughs became the defensive backs coach of the Berlin Thunder in 1999. He served in a similar capacity with the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League (2000) and Memphis Maniax of the XFL (2001). After four years in private business he returned to coaching in 2006 as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Clark Atlanta. In 2007, he was the defensive backs coach at Stillman College. Burroughs spent 2008 in the same role at Alabama State. On February 6, 2010, Burroughs became the head football coach at Lane College.
wn.com/Derrick_Burroughs -
Desmond Howard
Desmond Kevin Howard (born May 15, 1970) is a former NFL wide receiver, punt returner, and kickoff returner.
He played football for the University of Michigan from 1989–1991 and won the Heisman Trophy in 1991. He played professional football in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins (1992–1994), Jacksonville Jaguars (1995), Green Bay Packers (1996, 1999), Oakland Raiders (1997–1998) and Detroit Lions (1999–2002). Howard was voted the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XXXI and is the first and only special teams player to win the award. He is one of only four players to win both the Heisman Trophy and Super Bowl MVP; Roger Staubach, Jim Plunkett, and Marcus Allen are the others. Howard was ranked the 9th Greatest Return Specialist in NFL History by NFL Network's NFL Top 10 Return Aces. On July 16, 2011, Howard was inducted into the 2011 Class of the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana.
Howard currently works for ESPN as a college football analyst.
Howard was born in Cleveland and earned All-America and All-State honors as a tailback during his senior season at St. Joseph High School in Cleveland, Ohio, scoring 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on defense. He earned three varsity letters each in track and football, as well as one in basketball.
wn.com/Desmond_Howard -
Dick Anderson
Richard Paul Anderson (born February 10, 1946) is a former American football safety for the AFL's and NFL's Miami Dolphins, where he played for his entire ten year career from 1968 to 1977 missing one of those seasons with a knee injury.
Anderson played college football at the University of Colorado in which he was named an All-American in his senior season and set a school record with 14 career interceptions. He was drafted by the Dolphins in the 1968 AFL Draft in which he was named the league defensive rookie of the year. He was a three time Pro Bowler in 1972, 1973 in which he was NFL Defensive Player of the Year and in 1974 in which he was one of the leaders of the Dolphins well known No Name Defense. Anderson was also the president of the National Football League Players Association from 1975 until he retired.
In his 9 AFL/NFL seasons, Anderson recorded 34 interceptions, which he returned for 792 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also recovered 15 fumbles, returning them for 100 yards and a touchdown. On special teams, he gained 430 yards returning kickoffs and punted the ball 9 times for 335 yards.
wn.com/Dick_Anderson -
Dick Butkus
Richard Marvin "Dick" Butkus (born December 9, 1942) is a former American football player for the Chicago Bears. He was drafted in 1965 and he is also widely regarded as one of the best and most durable linebackers of all time. Butkus started as a football player for the University of Illinois and the Chicago Bears. He became a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979. He played nine seasons in the NFL for the Chicago Bears. Billed at 6 ft 3 in, 245 lbs., he was one of the most feared and intimidating linebackers of his time.
The youngest of eight children, Lithuanian American Richard Marvin "Dick" Butkus grew up in the Roseland area of Chicago's south side. He played high school football for coach Bernie O'Brien at Chicago Vocational High School.
Despite growing up in Chicago, Butkus was not a Bears fan, preferring to attend Chicago Cardinals games at Comiskey Park and watch Thanksgiving games between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers.
Butkus played center and linebacker from 1962 through 1964 at the University of Illinois. He was twice a unanimous All-American, in 1963 and 1964. He won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football in 1963 as the Big Ten's Most Valuable Player, and was named the American Football Coaches Association Player of the Year in 1964. Butkus finished sixth in Heisman Trophy balloting in 1963 and third in 1964, a rare accomplishment for both linemen and defensive players.
wn.com/Dick_Butkus -
Dick Coury
Dick Coury is a former American football coach who served as head coach of the Boston/New Orleans/Portland Breakers of the United States Football League from 1983 to 1985. He was named as the USFL coach of the year in 1983.
A 1951 University of Notre Dame graduate, Coury was not a football player, but served as a student assistant for head coach Frank Leahy. Coury also served as head coach of Mater Dei High School, compiling a record of 85–9–5 from 1957 to 1965 before joining University of Southern California coach John McKay's staff as defensive coordinator.
Coury then moved on to California State University, Fullerton, serving as the school's first head coach in 1970 and 1971, tallying a record of 13–8–1.
Coury has also held coaching positions with the Denver Broncos, Houston Oilers, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, and San Diego Chargers and served as head coach of the Portland Storm of the World Football League.
wn.com/Dick_Coury -
Dick Jauron
Richard Manuel Jauron (born October 7, 1950) is the defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was the head coach for the Buffalo Bills from 2006 until November 2009. Jauron has previously held head coaching positions with the Chicago Bears and, on an interim basis, with the Detroit Lions. Jauron was named the AP Coach of the Year in 2001 after leading the Bears to a 13-3 record, but this was his only winning season as a head coach in the NFL.
Jauron was born in Peoria, Illinois. He attended Swampscott High School in Swampscott, Massachusetts, and was a letterman in football, basketball, and baseball. In football, he was a Parade All-American selection as a senior, and was featured in the November 1968 issue of Sport magazine as Teenage Athlete Of The Month. He has been honored as one of the top ten all-time Massachusetts high school football players by the Boston Globe.
Jauron rushed for 2,947 yards in three seasons, freshmen weren't eligible for the varsity in the 1970s, at Yale, a record that stood until 2000, and was three times named to the All-Ivy League First Team, the first Yale football athlete to be so honored. His school-record streak of 16 consecutive 100-yard rushing games was not broken until 2006. Jauron was awarded the Nils V. "Swede" Nelson Award for sportsmanship following his junior season and the Bulger Lowe Award, given to the best Division I-A/I-AA player in New England, after his senior season.
wn.com/Dick_Jauron -
Dick Kazmaier
Richard Kazmaier (born November 23, 1930) was an American football player for Princeton University from 1949 through 1951 and winner of the 1951 Heisman Trophy. As a halfback, kicker and quarterback, he ended his career third all time in Princeton history with over 4000 yards of offense and 55 touchdowns. His career was capped in 1951 as he was named an All American as well as winning the Maxwell Award and the Heisman Trophy. The Chicago Bears drafted him in the 1952 draft, but he declined to play pro football, instead going to Harvard Business School. After spending several years in the Navy he founded Kazmaier Associated Inc, an investment firm.
Kazmaier graduated from Maumee High School in Ohio in 1948. He played football (four years), basketball (four years), track and field (four years), baseball (four years) and golf (one year) earning a letter each year in each sport.
In 2007, during a Maumee football game versus Perrysburg, Richard Kazmaier was honored by having his jersey number (#21) retired. He also donated his Heisman Trophy to Maumee High School, where it sits inside a glass case in the main hallway. The stadium at Maumee High School is named in his honor. His daughter, the late Patty Kazmaier-Sandt, was an All-Ivy member of the Princeton women's ice hockey team who died in 1990 at the age of 28 from a rare blood disease. The Patty Kazmaier Award, which was established by Dick Kazmaier to memorialize his daughter, is given to the top woman college ice hockey player in the United States at the annual Women's Frozen Four NCAA championship.
wn.com/Dick_Kazmaier -
Dick Vermeil
Richard Albert "Dick" Vermeil (pronounced /vərˈmiːl/; born October 30, 1936) is a former American head coach for the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles (1976–1982), St. Louis Rams (1997–1999) and Kansas City Chiefs (2001–2005). He is in the Sid Gillman coaching tree and has coached at every level; Vermeil owns the distinction of being named “Coach of the Year” on four levels: High School, Junior College, NCAA Division I and Professional Football.
In all three of his stops as an NFL head coach, Vermeil has taken every team—Philadelphia, St. Louis and Kansas City, each of which had a losing record before he arrived—and brought them to the playoffs by his third season at the helm.
Vermeil graduated in 1959 with an M.A. from San Jose State University, where he was the backup quarterback. After serving as assistant coach for San Jose’s Del Mar High School football team for one season and for Hillsdale High School in nearby San Mateo, he then went to Foothill College with coach Bill Walker. During the 1964-1965 school year he was weightlifting coach at College of San Mateo with his brother as an assistant. The following year he was at Diablo Valley College as a football coach. In 1965-1966, he coached Stanford University's freshman football team. Vermeil was hired as the NFL's first ever Special Teams coach by George Allen's Los Angeles Rams in 1969. Except for 1970, when he was an assistant coach with UCLA, he would remain with the Rams until 1974 when he was named as head coach by UCLA. Vermeil compiled a 15–5–3 record in two seasons (1974–1975) as head coach at UCLA, including a 9–2–1 record in 1975 when Vermeil led the Bruins to their first conference championship in 10 years, and a win in the Rose Bowl over an undefeated and number 1 ranked Ohio State team.
wn.com/Dick_Vermeil -
Dizzy Dean
Jay Hanna "Dizzy" Dean (January 16, 1910 – July 17, 1974) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Browns. A brash and colorful personality, Dean was the last National League pitcher to win 30 games in one season. After his playing career, he became a popular television sports commentator. Dean was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953.
Dean was best known for leading the 1934 "Gashouse Gang" St. Louis team. He had a 30–7 record with a 2.66 ERA during the regular season. His brother, Paul, was also on the roster, and was nicknamed "Daffy", although this was usually only done for press consumption. Though "Diz" sometimes called his brother "Daf", he typically referred to himself and his brother as "Me an' Paul".
The Gashouse Gang was the southernmost and westernmost team in the major leagues at the time, and became a de-facto "America's Team." Team members, particularly Southerners such as the Dean brothers and Pepper Martin, became folk heroes in Depression-ravaged America. Americans saw in these players, dirty and hustling rather than handsome and graceful, a spirit of hard work and perseverance, as opposed to the haughty, highly-paid New York Giants, whom the Cardinals chased for the National League pennant.
wn.com/Dizzy_Dean -
Doak Walker
Ewell Doak Walker, Jr. (January 1, 1927 – September 27, 1998) was an American football player who is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was a teammate of Bobby Layne in high school and the NFL.
Walker was born in Dallas, Texas and attended Highland Park High School in Dallas where he was a multi-sport athlete. He and future college and National Football League star Bobby Layne played together on the Highland Park football team.
Walker attended Southern Methodist University (SMU), where he played running back, defensive back, and place kicker. He also threw and caught passes, punted, and returned kicks. He was a three time All-America, 1947, 1948 and 1949. In 1947, he won the Maxwell Award and in 1948 won the Heisman Trophy as the best college football player in the nation, as a junior. Walker's impact on SMU and football in the Dallas area led to the Cotton Bowl being referred to as "The House That Doak Built." Walker was also a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and lettered on the SMU basketball and baseball teams. In 2007, he was ranked #4 on ESPN's list of the top 25 players In college football history.
wn.com/Doak_Walker -
Doc Blanchard
Felix Anthony "Doc" Blanchard (December 11, 1924 – April 19, 2009) is best known as the college football player who became the first ever junior to win the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award and was the first ever football player to win the James E. Sullivan Award, all in 1945. He played football for the United States Military Academy at West Point. Because his father was a doctor, Felix Blanchard was nicknamed "Little Doc" as a boy. After football, he served in the United States Air Force from 1947 until 1971 when he retired with the rank of Colonel.
Blanchard was born on December 11, 1924 in McColl, South Carolina His father was a doctor and had played college football at Tulane University and Wake Forest University. The Blanchards moved from McColl, South Carolina to Dexter, Iowa in 1929. The Blanchards then moved to Bishopville, South Carolina two years later. Blanchard, nicknamed "Little Doc" due to his father's occupation, attended high school at Saint Stanislaus College in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. He led the school's football team, the Rockachaws, to an undefeated season during his senior year in 1941. Blanchard was recruited to play college football by Army, Fordham University and the University of Notre Dame, among others. Blanchard said in 1985 that he had been contacted about going to West Point when he was in high school. He said, "At that point in time, I really wasn’t interested. Academically, I never was too hot, so I never had any idea I would pass the entrance examination and go to West Point."
wn.com/Doc_Blanchard -
Dominick Dunne
Dominick John Dunne (October 29, 1925 – August 26, 2009) was an American writer and investigative journalist whose subjects frequently hinged on the ways in which high society interacts with the judicial system. He was a movie producer in Hollywood and was also known for his frequent appearances on television.
Dunne, the second of six children, was born in Hartford, Connecticut, the son of Dorothy Frances (née Burns) and Richard Edwin Dunne, a hospital chief of staff and prominent heart surgeon. His Irish Catholic family was wealthy; his maternal grandfather, Dominick Francis Burns, founded the Park Street Trust Company. However, from his earliest days, Dunne recalled feeling like an outsider in the predominantly "WASPish" West Hartford.
He was the older brother of John Gregory Dunne, a screenwriter and critic who was married to journalist Joan Didion. They co-wrote The Panic in Needle Park, a film starring Al Pacino, which Dominick produced.
As a boy, he was known as Nicky. After attending the Kingswood School and Canterbury School in New Milford, Connecticut, he attended Williams College and then served in World War II, including the Battle of the Bulge,[citation needed] where he received the Bronze Star for heroism during the Battle of Metz.
wn.com/Dominick_Dunne -
Don Budge
John Donald ("Don" or "Donnie") Budge (June 13, 1915 – January 26, 2000) was an American tennis champion who was a World No. 1 player for five years, first as an amateur and then as a professional. He is most famous as the first player, male or female, and only American male to win in a single year the four tournaments that comprise the Grand Slam of tennis and second male player to win all 4 Grand Slams in his career after Fred Perry. He won 10 Majors of which six Grand Slams and four Pro Slams, the latter achieved on three different surfaces. Budge was considered to have the best backhand in the history of tennis, at least until the emergence of Ken Rosewall in the 1950s and 1960s.
Born in Oakland, California, Budge was the son of a Scottish immigrant and former football player - his father had played several matches for the Rangers reserve team before emigrating to the United States. Growing up, he played a variety of sports before taking up tennis. He was tall and slim and his height would later help what is still considered one of the most powerful serves of all time.[citation needed] Budge studied at the University of California, Berkeley in late 1933 but left to play tennis with the U.S. Davis Cup auxiliary team.
wn.com/Don_Budge -
Don Hutson
Donald Montgomery Hutson (January 31, 1913 – June 26, 1997) was the first star wide receiver in National Football League history. He is considered by many to have been the first modern receiver.
In his senior season at the University of Alabama in 1934, Hutson was a first team All-American for six different organizations and a second team selection by one other. After his career at Alabama, he joined the Green Bay Packers in 1935 and retired in 1945 after 11 seasons.
Hutson is credited with creating many of the modern pass routes used in the NFL today. He was the dominant receiver of his day and is widely considered to be one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history, holding almost all important receiving records at the time of his retirement. As of the end of the 2009 NFL season, Hutson still holds the following records: Most seasons leading league in pass receptions (8), Most consecutive seasons leading league in pass receptions (5), Most seasons leading league in pass receiving yards gained (7), Most consecutive seasons leading league in pass receiving yards gained (4), Most seasons leading league in pass receiving touchdowns (9), Most consecutive seasons leading league in pass receiving touchdowns (5), Most seasons leading league in scoring (5), and Most consecutive seasons leading league in scoring (5) (Source: NFL Record and fact book).
wn.com/Don_Hutson -
Don McPherson
Donald G. McPherson (born April 2, 1965) is a former National Football League and Canadian Football League quarterback who was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1988 after a college career at Syracuse University during which he won the Maxwell Award, the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award and finished second in the 1987 Heisman Trophy voting. He also played for the Houston Oilers, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Ottawa Rough-Riders. His accomplishments during his tenure at Syracuse propelled him to be inducted into the NCAA College Football Hall of Fame announced on May 1, 2008.
After retiring from football in 1994, McPherson joined the staff of Northeastern University's Center for the Study of Sport in Society, before becoming the first executive director of the Sports Leadership Institute at Adelphi University. As a social activist he has founded several outreach and mentoring programs, and regularly speaks at college campuses as a critic of gender roles, stating that the standard constructions of masculinity and femininity both limit men's emotions and overall well-being as well as contribute to gendered violence such as domestic violence, stalking, and rape. In this capacity he has testified before hearings of the United States House of Representatives.
wn.com/Don_McPherson -
Don Meredith
Joseph Don "Dandy Don" Meredith (April 10, 1938–December 5, 2010) was an American football quarterback, sports commentator and actor. He spent all nine seasons of his professional playing career (1960–;1968) with the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his last three years as a player. He subsequently became a color analyst for NFL telecasts from 1970–1984. As an original member of the Monday Night Football broadcast team on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), he famously played the role of Howard Cosell's comic foil.
Meredith was born on April 10, 1938 in Mount Vernon, Texas, located approximately 100 miles east of Dallas. He attended Mount Vernon High School in his hometown, where he starred in football and basketball, performed in school plays and graduated second in his class.
Even though he was heavily recruited by then-Texas A&M head coach Bear Bryant, Meredith decided to play college football at Southern Methodist University (SMU). He led the Southwest Conference in passing completion percentage in each of his three years as the starting quarterback, and was an All-America selection in 1958 and 1959. His fellow students jokingly referred to the school as "Southern Meredith University" due to his popularity on campus. He completed 8 of 20 passes for 156 yards in the College All-Stars' 32–7 loss to the Baltimore Colts in the Chicago College All-Star Game on August 12, 1960.
wn.com/Don_Meredith -
Don Schollander
Donald ("Don") Arthur Schollander (born April 30, 1946) is a former Olympic swimmer for the United States. He won total of five gold medals and one silver medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics. With four gold medals, he was the most successful athlete at that Summer Olympics.
Schollander was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, and learned competitive swimming from his uncle, Newt Perry, who ran a swim school in Florida. As a boy, Schollander moved with his family to Lake Oswego, Oregon. Though his first sporting passion was football, he was too small to compete in high school football. Instead, he joined Lake Oswego High School's swim team, and in 1960, helped lead the team to an Oregon state swimming championship as a freshman.
As a teenager in 1962, Schollander moved to Santa Clara, California to train under swim coach George Haines of the budding Santa Clara Swim Club. Two years later at the age of 18, he won three freestyle events at the AAU national championships. He made the U.S. Olympic team in two individual events and two relays. Months later, he won four gold medals and set three world records at the 1964 Summer Olympics, at the time the most medals won by an American since Jesse Owens in 1936. His success helped earn him the James E. Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the United States, and the AP Athlete of the Year, defeating runner-up Johnny Unitas by a wide margin. He was also named ABC's Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Year.
wn.com/Don_Schollander -
Donny Anderson
Garry Don "Donny" Anderson (born May 16, 1943, in Borger, Texas) is a former professional American football player who played nine years in the National Football League. A halfback and punter from Texas Technological College (now Texas Tech University), Anderson was the first round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers in the 1965 NFL Draft, the seventh overall selection in the draft that included future hall-of-famers Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers, Joe Namath and Fred Biletnikoff.
During his time at Texas Tech, Donny Anderson earned the nickname the "Golden Palomino". Anderson received All-American honors twice in 1964 and 1965 and was a three-time all-Southwest Conference halfback 1963-65. Anderson held many of Texas Tech's football records as his career ended with the 1965 season. He finished fourth in the 1965 Heisman Trophy race. Anderson is part of the Texas Tech Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.
Anderson began his NFL career a in 1966, as #44 for the Packers. Anderson was drafted in the 1st Round as the 7th Pick for $600,000, the highest in NFL history to that date.
wn.com/Donny_Anderson -
Donte Whitner
Donte Whitner (born July 24, 1985 in Cleveland, Ohio) is an American football safety for the San Francisco 49ers in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bills in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at the Ohio State University. He is the older brother of current Chicago Rush linebacker/defensive end, Lindsey Witten.
Whitner attended Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio. After his senior season he was invited to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl game. An excellent student, Whitner graduated with a 3.7 grade point average[citation needed] while majoring in Consumer Affairs. He is currently a student at SJSU.
When Whitner was 6 years old he was hit by an oncoming car after chasing a loose football down the street. He had up to 30 fractures in his legs from the impact and was told that he might be able to walk again. The oncoming car suffered significant body damage. He spent 3 months in a full body cast but managed to recover from the horrible ordeal.
wn.com/Donte_Whitner -
Doug Flutie
Douglas Richard "Doug" Flutie (born October 23, 1962) is a former American and Canadian football quarterback. Flutie played college football at Boston College, and played professionally in the National Football League, Canadian Football League, and United States Football League. He first rose to prominence during his career at Boston College, where he received the prestigious Heisman Trophy and the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award in 1984. His Hail Mary touchdown pass in a game against Miami on November 23, 1984 (dubbed "Hail Flutie") is considered among the greatest moments in college football and American sports history. Selected as the 285th pick in the 11th round by the Los Angeles Rams making him the lowest drafted Heisman Award winner among those who were drafted. Flutie played that year for the New Jersey Generals of the upstart United States Football League. In 1986 he signed with the NFL's Chicago Bears, and later played for the New England Patriots, becoming their starting quarterback in 1988.
wn.com/Doug_Flutie -
Drew Bledsoe
Drew McQueen Bledsoe (born February 14, 1972) is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League, best known as the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots from 1993-2001. During the 1990s, he was considered the face of the Patriots franchise. Bledsoe, a Pro Bowler, All-American for the Washington State Cougars and #1 overall draft pick in the 1993 NFL Draft, announced his retirement from the sport on April 11, 2007.
Bledsoe attended Walla Walla High School and was a letterman in football and basketball. In football, he was named a first team All-State selection by the Tacoma News Tribune.
Bledsoe only stayed at Washington State for 3 years but still managed to put together a record-setting career. After gaining the starting job in the end of the 1990 season as a true freshman, he quickly became the face of the Cougars offense. In 1992 Bledsoe led his team to a 9-3 record (ranking #17 in the coaches poll and #15 in the AP) and a 31-28 win against the Utah Utes in the Copper Bowl, Bledsoe completed 30-46 passes for 476 yards and 2 TDs in the game. He also established WSU records in single-game passing yards (476), single-season pass completions (241), and single-season passing yards (3,246). He was named the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year.
wn.com/Drew_Bledsoe -
Drew Brees
Andrew Christopher "Drew" Brees (pronounced /ˈbriːs/; born January 15, 1979) is an American football quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.
Brees has been selected to the Pro Bowl six times in his career – with the Chargers in 2004 and the Saints in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. He was named the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year in 2004, the Offensive Player of the Year in 2008, and the MVP of Super Bowl XLIV. He was also selected by voters to appear on the cover of EA Sports' Madden NFL 11.Sports Illustrated named him as its 2010 Sportsman of the Year.
Brees holds the single-season record for most passing yards in a single season, with 5,476 yards passing during the 2011 season.
Brees was born in Dallas, Texas, the son of Mina (née Akins), an attorney, and Eugene Wilson Brees II, a medical malpractice attorney. He was named after Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Drew Pearson. His uncle, Marty Akins, was an All-American starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns college football team from 1975 to 1977. Chip Brees played basketball for the Texas A&M Aggies men's basketball team, and his grandfather, Ray Akins, had the third-most victories as a Texas high school football coach.
wn.com/Drew_Brees -
Dwight Gooden
Dwight Eugene Gooden (born November 16, 1964), nicknamed "Doc Gooden" or "Dr. K", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was one of the most dominant and feared pitchers in the National League in the middle and late 1980s.
A native of Tampa, Florida, Dwight Gooden was drafted in the first round in 1982, the fifth player taken overall. He spent one season in the minors, in which he led the Class-A Carolina League in wins, strikeouts and ERA while playing for the Lynchburg Mets. Gooden had 300 strikeouts in 191 innings, a performance which convinced Triple-A Tidewater Tides manager, future Mets skipper Davey Johnson, that he was capable of making the unusual leap to the major league.
Gooden made his major-league debut on April 7, 1984 with the New York Mets at the age of 19. He quickly developed a reputation with his 98 MPH fastball and sweeping curveball, which was given the superlative nickname of "Lord Charles," in contrast with "Uncle Charlie," a common nickname for a curveball. He was dubbed "Dr. K," (by analogy with basketball's "Dr. J", Julius Erving, and also in reference to the letter "K" being the standard abbreviation for strikeout), which soon became shortened to "Doc". Gooden soon attracted a rooting section at Shea Stadium that called itself "The K Korner," and would hang up cards with a red "K" after each of his strikeouts.
wn.com/Dwight_Gooden -
Dwyane Wade
Dwyane Tyrone Wade, Jr. (born January 17, 1982), nicknamed Flash or D-Wade, is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat. Awarded 2006 Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated, Wade has established himself as one of the most well-known and popular players in the league. He had the top selling jersey in the NBA for nearly two years, as he led the NBA in jersey sales from the 2005 NBA Playoffs, until the mid-point of the 2006–07 season.
After entering the league as the fifth pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, Wade was named to the All-Rookie team and the All-Star team the following eight seasons. In his third season, Wade helped lead the Miami Heat to their first NBA Championship in franchise history. He was named the 2006 NBA Finals MVP as he helped lead the Heat to a 4–2 series win over the Dallas Mavericks. At the 2008 Summer Olympics, Wade led the United States Men's Basketball team, commonly known as the "Redeem Team", in scoring, as they captured gold medal honors in Beijing, China. In the 2008–09 season, Wade led the league in scoring and earned his first NBA scoring title.
wn.com/Dwyane_Wade -
Earl Campbell
Earl Christian Campbell (born March 29, 1955), nicknamed The Tyler Rose, is a former professional American Football running back. He, Paul Hornung, and O.J Simpson are the only Heisman Trophy winners to have also been first overall National Football League draft picks and members of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame.
He was born in Tyler, Texas, the sixth of eleven children. His father died when he was 11 years old. He began playing football in fifth grade as a kicker, but moved to linebacker and then to running back in sixth grade. In 1973, he led the Corky Nelson-coached John Tyler High School to the Texas 4A State Championship (4A then was the largest classification in the state). Then-Oklahoma Sooners head coach Barry Switzer, who unsuccessfully recruited Campbell, said in his 1989 book that Campbell was the only player he ever saw who could have gone straight from high school to the NFL and immediately been a star.
After his retirement, Campbell has suffered from debilitating injuries that resulted from his NFL career; he had surgery to remove three of his vertebrae, and he suffers from drop foot and persistent knee pain.
wn.com/Earl_Campbell -
Earl McCullouch
Earl R. McCullouch (born January 10, 1946) is a retired American football wide receiver. McCullouch was the world record holder for the 110 meter mens high hurdle sprint from July 1967 to July 1969. When attending the University of Southern California, McCullouch was a member of the USC Trojan Football teams (wide receiver) and the USC Track & Field teams (110 yard high hurdles and 4 X 110 sprint relay) in 1967 and 1968. The USC Track 4 x 110 yard relay team, for which McCullouch ran the start leg, set a world record in 1967.
McCullouch played for the National Football League's Detroit Lions and the New Orleans Saints between 1968 and 1974. He was the NFL Rookie of the Year in 1968.
McCullouch played college football at the University of Southern California, where he was part of the 1967 National Championship team. He was one of five USC Trojans players taken in the first round of the 1968 NFL Draft after his senior year. Prior to that, he played at Long Beach City College. McCullouch was known for having elite sprinter speed and used it on both the track and the football field. Wearing No. 22 during the 1967 and 1968 seasons, McCulloch played wide receiver on an offensive USC Trojan Football squad that featured tailback O. J. Simpson. Defensive coverages had difficulty covering McCullouch in pass routes and chasing him after pass completions due to his sprinter's speed. McCullouch also provided down-field blocking on break-away plays, often for 1968 Heisman Trophy winner Simpson.
wn.com/Earl_McCullouch -
Earl Morrall
Earl Edwin Morrall (born May 17, 1934) is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. Morrall, who also occasionally punted, played 21 seasons in the National Football League as both a starter and reserve. In the latter capacity, he became known as the greatest backup quarterback in NFL history. Morrall made Pro Bowl appearances following the 1957 and 1968 seasons.
Morrall led Muskegon High School in Muskegon, Michigan, to a state football championship in 1951, setting off a determined recruiting effort by the University of Michigan, the University of Notre Dame and Michigan State University. The efforts of the colleges were enough for the principal of Muskegon High, George A. Manning, to complain that Morrall's education was suffering.
Eventually choosing Michigan State, Morrall played three seasons for the Spartans, leading them to a 9-1 regular season record in 1955. He capped his senior year with a victory over the UCLA Bruins in the 1956 Rose Bowl game. Morrall also played baseball at Michigan State and played in the College Baseball World Series as a shortstop and third basemen. He was offered the opportunity to play professional baseball but chose instead to play NFL football.
wn.com/Earl_Morrall -
Ed Marinaro
Ed Marinaro (born March 31, 1950) is an American former football player turned actor.
Marinaro played high school football in New Milford, New Jersey, for the New Milford High School Knights.
Marinaro played college football at Cornell University where he set over 16 NCAA records. He was the first running back in NCAA history to run for 4,000 career rushing yards and led the nation in rushing in both 1970 and 1971.
Marinaro was runner-up to Pat Sullivan for the Heisman Trophy in 1971, the highest finish for an Ivy League player since the league de-emphasized football in the mid-1950s. Princeton's Dick Kazmaier won the award in 1951 when the Ivy was still considered a major football conference. Marinaro won the 1971 Maxwell Award and the UPI College Football Player of the Year as the top player in college football. He holds two NCAA records: most rushes per game in a season (39.6 in 1971) and career average carries per game (34.0, 1969-71).
While at Cornell, Marinaro was a member of Psi Upsilon and was selected for membership in the Sphinx Head Society. He went on to play professional football for six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks, appearing in Super Bowl VIII and Super Bowl IX with the Vikings. He scored 13 touchdowns over his career.
wn.com/Ed_Marinaro -
Ed Sutton
Edward Wike Sutton (March 16, 1935 – September 20, 2008) was an American football halfback and defensive back in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants. He played college football at the University of North Carolina and was drafted in the third round of the 1957 NFL Draft.
Even while playing professional football, Sutton began attending medical school, then after graduation from the University of Tennessee, he began a practice in Gardena, California. He left the practice for two years when he was drafted into the U.S. Army Medical Corps, where he served two years in a M.A.S.H. unit in Vietnam. Relocating in 1978, he started his long-time occupational medicine practice in Fresno, California, known as Valley Industrial and Family Medical Group.
In 1999 Dr. Sutton was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. For decades he was active in the NFL Alumni Association, and was a recipient of the NFL Alumni Career Achievement Award. A few months prior to his death, he completed his autobiography entitled "Tales of the Comet: The Fast-Paced Life of Ed Sutton," in conjunction with Bob Terrell.
wn.com/Ed_Sutton -
Eddie George
Edward Nathan George, Jr. (born September 24, 1973) is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He played college football for Ohio State University and won the Heisman Trophy in 1995. He was drafted in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft, and played professionally for the Tennessee Titans (both in Tennessee and in Houston when the franchise was known as the Houston Oilers). George was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
George was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended Abington Senior High School until the tenth grade, and then transferred to Fork Union Military Academy. George made the decision to stay at Fork Union Military Academy for a fifth prep school year. Such choices are commonly made by high school football players hoping to improve their recruitment status with colleges, but for George it meant another year of the vigorous military lifestyle. George went on to rush for 1,372 yards in his fifth season at FUMA, attracting the attention of several major colleges.
wn.com/Eddie_George -
Edgar Chandler
Edgar Thomas Chandler, Jr. (August 31, 1946 – October 17, 1992) was an American Professional Football player who played linebacker for six seasons, for the Buffalo Bills in the American Football League and the NFL, and for the NFL New England Patriots. Chandler was a two-time All-American at the University of Georgia (1966 and 1967).
Edgar Thomas Chandler, Jr. (August 31, 1946 in Cedartown, Georgia) was a professional two-time All American football player. Chandler played linebacker 5 years for the Buffalo Bills, and 1 year for the New England Patriots. He was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1988. A very short time after that Edgar Chandler would start the long battle to fight colon cancer. He died on October 17, 1992 breaking the heart of family, friends, and fans.
wn.com/Edgar_Chandler -
Edgerrin James
Edgerrin Tyree James ( /ˈɛdʒərɪn ˈdʒeɪmz/; born August 1, 1978 in Immokalee, Florida) is a former American football running back. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts fourth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami.
James has also played for the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks. The AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1999, James has earned four Pro Bowl selections and four All-Pro selections.
James' cousin Javarris James played for the Indianapolis Colts during the 2010 season, but was released by the team before the 2011 season.
James was recruited out of Florida's Immokalee High School by the University of Miami. He proved to be one of the most successful running backs in the school's history.
James ranks second in all-time University of Miami rushing yards. He was the only running back in the university's history to post two consecutive seasons with 1,000-plus rushing yards, and he ranks first in school history with the most 100-plus rushing games (14). All single season records held by James have since been broken by current Denver Broncos running back Willis McGahee.
wn.com/Edgerrin_James -
Edward Abramoski
Edward "Abe" Abramoski (born Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1933) served as Head Athletic Trainer for the Buffalo Bills in the American Football League and the NFL for a total of 37 years. Prior to his stint in Buffalo, he was an athletic trainer at the University of Detroit, the Detroit Lions, and the United States Military Academy, and has long been recognized as a pioneer athletic trainer in American Professional Football. His service to the Bills and the City of Buffalo was formally recognized in 1999 with the inclusion of his name on the Wall of Fame at Ralph Wilson Stadium, home of the Bills. He is a member of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame (1996), a recipient of the Buffalo Bills Alumni Association Appreciation Award (1990,1994), and a member of the Niagara Frontier for Distinguished Achievements in Sports. Abe was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in 1986. A frequent volunteer for the New York State Special Olympics, Abe was instrumental in establishing a means for all athletes in Western New York High Schools receiving services from athletic trainers.
wn.com/Edward_Abramoski -
Elbert Dubenion
Elbert Dubenion (nicknamed "Duby" or "Golden Wheels") (born February 16, 1933 in Griffin, Georgia) was an American football wide receiver. He played college football for Bluffton College in northwest Ohio.
As a rookie for the American Football League's Buffalo Bills in 1960, DuBenion had seven touchdowns and 752 receiving yards on 42 catches, a 17.9 yd/catch average. He ran 16 times for 94 yards and a touchdown, a 5.6 yd/carry average. In 1961, facing tighter and deeper coverages, he upped his production as a runner, rushing for 173 yards and a touchdown on just 17 carries, a 10.3 yd/carry average. He had 31 catches for 461 yards and six touchdowns.
In 1964, Duby had one of the most sensational seasons of any receiver in pro football history, scoring 10 touchdowns among his 42 receptions for 1,139 yards, while collecting 27.1 yards per catch. In nine seasons, he totalled 296 receptions for 5,424 yards and 36 TDs for a career average of 18.3 yd/catch, and rushed for 360 yards and three touchdowns on 48 carries, a career average of seven yds/carry. When Wray Carlton was released by the Bills on September 2, 1968, it made Dubenion the last player from the Bills original roster in 1960 to still be with the club.
wn.com/Elbert_Dubenion -
Eli Manning
Elisha Nelson "Eli" Manning (born January 3, 1981) is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning and the younger brother of Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. Manning played college football at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) after attending prep school at Isidore Newman School in New Orleans. He was drafted as the first overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers and immediately traded to the New York Giants, who in return gave up a package highlighted by fourth overall selection Philip Rivers.
Manning won the Most Valuable Player award in Super Bowl XLII in 2008 after leading the Giants to victory over the previously undefeated New England Patriots. On February 5, 2012 he again led his team to victory in Super Bowl XLVI, a rematch with the Patriots, in which Manning again won MVP honors and also set a new Super Bowl record with nine consecutive completions to start the game. Manning is one of five quarterbacks who have won multiple Super Bowl MVP awards.
wn.com/Eli_Manning -
Emmitt Smith
Emmitt James Smith, III (born May 15, 1969) is a retired American football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for fifteen seasons during the 1990s and 2000s. Smith played college football for the University of Florida, where he was an All-American. A first-round pick in the 1990 NFL Draft, he played professionally for the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals of the NFL.
During his long professional career, he became the NFL's all-time rushing leader, breaking the record formerly held by Walter Payton, and played for three Super Bowl-winning Dallas Cowboys teams. Smith is the only running back to ever win a Super Bowl championship, the NFL Most Valuable Player award, the NFL rushing crown, and the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player award all in the same season (1993). He is also one of only four running backs to lead the NFL in rushing three or more consecutive seasons, joining Steve Van Buren, Jim Brown and Earl Campbell. Smith led the league in rushing and won the Super Bowl in the same year three times (1992, 1993, and 1995) when to that point it had never been done. Smith is also one of only two non-kickers in NFL history to score more than 1,000 career points (the other being Jerry Rice). Smith was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010, and is the first player from the 1990 NFL Draft to be inducted.
wn.com/Emmitt_Smith -
Emmitt Thomas
Emmitt Earl Thomas (born June 3, 1943) is currently the secondary coach of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs. He is a former college and professional football player who played for the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs from 1966 to 1969, and then for the Chiefs in the NFL from 1970 to 1978. He owns the Chiefs all-time interception record with 58, which places him ninth on pro football's all-time list. Thomas was elected to the NFL's Pro Football Hall of Fame after being nominated by the Seniors Committee.
Thomas made the Chiefs team as an undrafted free agent from Bishop College in Dallas. Thomas was an AFL All-Star in 1968 and made the NFL's AFC-NFC Pro Bowl 4 times (1971, 1972, 1973, 1975) after the Chiefs joined the NFL in the 1970 AFL-NFL Merger. He was also selected All-Pro 3 times. In the 1969 season, he led all pro football with 9 interceptions, which he returned for 146 yards and a touchdown, helping his team win the AFL Championship and the fourth and last AFL-NFL World Championship Game, which the Chiefs won 23-7 over the NFL champion Vikings. Thomas recorded an interception in the Kansas City victory. In 1974, Thomas led the NFL in interceptions (12), return yards (214), and return touchdowns (2).
wn.com/Emmitt_Thomas -
Eric Crouch
Eric Eugene Crouch (born November 16, 1978) is an American football quarterback for the Omaha Nighthawks. He also is a TV sports analyst and recreational equipment vendor.
Crouch played college football for the University of Nebraska. In 2001 Crouch won the Heisman Trophy, awarded annually to the most outstanding collegiate football player in the United States. He also won the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, given annually to the best collegiate quarterback in the US. During that year running Nebraska's option offense, he completed 105 of 189 passes for 1,510 yards and seven touchdowns, while also rushing for 1,115 yards and 18 touchdowns. Crouch was the USA Today Nebraska Player of the Year, and a Parade All-American athlete at Millard North High School, where he was a two-time All-State selection at quarterback. Crouch appeared on the cover of the video game NCAA College Football 2K3.
Ankle surgery forced Crouch to redshirt for the 1997 co-national championship-winning season. In 1998, Bobby Newcombe began the season as the starting quarterback, but he was sidelined by a knee injury after the first game and Crouch took over the starting duties. Against UAB, Crouch rushed for two touchdowns and completed 11 of 17 passes in his first career start. 1998 proved to be a chaotic season for the Cornhuskers. Crouch made another start before being replaced by a healthy Bobby Newcombe. Newcombe started the next five games, but was pulled in the middle of a game because of a PCL strain. Senior walkon, Monte Christo, took over for Newcombe, and started the following week against Texas. With Texas leading 10-0 in the middle of the second quarter, Christo was pulled and replaced by Crouch. Crouch remained the starter for the rest of the season, which ended with a 23-20 loss to Arizona in the Holiday Bowl.
wn.com/Eric_Crouch -
Eric Dickerson
Eric Demetric Dickerson (born September 2, 1960) is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for eleven seasons during the 1980s and 1990s. Dickerson played college football for Southern Methodist University, and was recognized as an All-American. He was selected in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft, and played professionally for the Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons of the NFL. During his NFL career, he rushed for over 13,000 yards.
Dickerson committed to Texas A&M before reconsidering and decided amongst Oklahoma, Southern California and SMU before his grandmother talked him into staying in the state of Texas to attend Southern Methodist University because she liked SMU coach Ron Meyer. Dickerson was the subject of recruiting controversy when he started driving a new Pontiac Trans-Am during his senior year. At the time he said his grandmother from Mexico bought it for him.
wn.com/Eric_Dickerson -
Eric Moulds
Eric Shannon Moulds (born July 17, 1973 in Lucedale, Mississippi) is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills 24th overall in the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at Mississippi State.
In 2009, Moulds was one of three receivers named to the Buffalo Bills 50th Anniversary All-Time Team.
At Mississippi State University, Moulds caught 117 passes for 2,022 yards (averaging 17.1 per catch). Moulds was the 1994 NCAA Division I-A kickoff return champion with a 32.8 yrds/return average.
Moulds was the Bills' first round draft pick (24th overall) in 1996. For his first two seasons, Moulds was stuck on the depth chart behind receivers Andre Reed and Quinn Early.
Moulds finally had his breakout season in 1998, where set a single-season team record with 1,368 receiving yards, a total that led the AFC and was second in the league. (Moulds also has the Bills' second-highest single-season total, with 1,326 in 2002.) Moulds's 20.4 yards per catch was second in the NFL in 1998.
wn.com/Eric_Moulds -
Eric Wood
For the founder of the American Legion, see Eric Fisher Wood.
Not to be confused with the similarly-named Australian rules football player, Eric Woods.
Eric Wood (born March 18, 1986 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is an American football center for the Buffalo Bills. He was the team's second pick in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft (28th overall). After starting his team's first 10 games of the 2009 NFL season, he suffered a season-ending injury on November 22, 2009. Wood played his collegiate football at the University of Louisville.
Wood attended Elder High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, where played both the tackle and guard positions. His team went 28-2 over the last two seasons, including two consecutive state titles. After playing tight end as a junior, Wood started all 15 games at offensive tackle in his senior year and earned first team All-League honors.
Considered a two-star recruit by both Rivals.com and Scout.com, Wood was not ranked among the nation's top offensive line prospects. He chose Louisville over Bowling Green, Ohio, Cincinnati, Indiana and Columbia.
wn.com/Eric_Wood -
Erik Flowers
Erik Mathews Flowers (born March 1, 1978 in San Antonio, Texas) is a former professional American football defensive end at Arizona State University and was selected in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. After an unimpressive rookie season, he earned the starting job in 2001, but was benched after 5 games, and was released during training camp the next year, being claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans. After being cut by the Texans on September 3, 2003, Flowers joined the St. Louis Rams three months later and played linebacker with them for the next two seasons. On July 22, 2005, he was signed by the Atlanta Falcons only to be released by them on August 31 of that year.
On March 6, 2006, Flowers signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League as defensive end. Unfortunately, Flowers suffered a back injury which prevented him from even reporting to the Argos' training camp which began in late May.[1]
wn.com/Erik_Flowers -
Ernie Davis
Ernest "Ernie" Davis (December 14, 1939 – May 18, 1963) was an American football running back and the first African-American athlete to win the Heisman Trophy. Wearing number 44, Davis competed collegiately for Syracuse University before being drafted by the Washington Redskins, then almost immediately traded to the Cleveland Browns in December 1961. However, he would never play a professional game, as he was diagnosed with leukemia in 1962. He is the subject of the 2008 Universal Pictures movie biography The Express, based on the non-fiction book Ernie Davis: The Elmira Express, by Robert C. Gallagher.
Davis played football for Syracuse University, and went on to gain national fame for three seasons (1959–1961), twice winning first-team All-American honors. As a sophomore in 1959, Davis led Syracuse to the NCAA Division I-A national football championship, capping an undefeated season with a 23-14 win over The University of Texas in the Cotton Bowl Classic. That same year, Elmira Star-Gazette sports writer Al Mallette coined the nickname for Davis, the "Elmira Express". Davis was voted Most Valuable Player of the 1960 Cotton Bowl Classic and the 1961 Liberty Bowl. In his junior year, he set a record of 7.8 yards per carry and was the third leading rusher in the country with 877 yards, having rushed 100 yards in 6 of 9 games.
wn.com/Ernie_Davis -
Forrest Blue
Forrest Murrell Blue, Jr. (September 7, 1945 – July 16, 2011) was an offensive lineman who spent eleven seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the San Francisco 49ers (1968–1974) and Baltimore Colts (1975–1978).
Blue was born in Marfa, Texas on September 7, 1945. He spent his teenage years in Tampa, Florida where his family moved after his father, a United States Army captain, was transferred there. A 1962 graduate of George D. Chamberlain High School, he made the National Honor Society and starred on the varsity teams in football, baseball, track and basketball. He was a member of the Florida High School Activities Association (FHSAA) Class AA football champions in 1961. He eventually was inducted into the Tampa Sports Hall of Fame in 1993 and named the sixth-best football player ever from Hillsborough County by the St. Petersburg Times in 1999.
Blue was a three-year letterman as a center for Ralph "Shug" Jordan at Auburn University from 1965 through 1967. He played for the College All-Stars in its 34–17 defeat to the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on August 2, 1968.
wn.com/Forrest_Blue -
Forrest Gregg
Alvis Forrest Gregg (born October 18, 1933) is a former American football player and coach in the National Football League. During a Pro Football Hall of Fame playing career, he was a part of six championships, five of them with the Green Bay Packers before closing out his tenure with the Dallas Cowboys with a win in Super Bowl VI. He went on to serve as head coach of three teams: the Cleveland Browns, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Green Bay Packers. He was born in Birthright, Texas and attended Sulphur Springs High School.
Gregg played college football at Southern Methodist University.
Gregg was a key player on the Packers dynasty that won five NFL championships and two Super Bowls in the 1960s. Gregg earned an "iron-man" tag by playing in a then-league record 188 consecutive games from 1956 until 1971. He also won All-NFL acclaim eight straight years from 1960 through 1967 and was selected to play in nine Pro Bowls.
Gregg closed his career with the Dallas Cowboys, as did his Packer teammate, cornerback Herb Adderley. They both helped the Cowboys win Super Bowl VI, making them the only players (along with former teammate Fred Thurston, who was on the Baltimore Colts world championship team in 1958) in professional football history to play on six teams that won World Championships.
wn.com/Forrest_Gregg -
Fran Tarkenton
Francis Asbury "Fran" Tarkenton (born February 3, 1940) is a former professional football player, TV personality, and computer software executive.
He is best known for playing with the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants, as well as serving as a commentator on Monday Night Football and a co-host of That's Incredible!. At the time of his retirement he owned every major quarterback record.
Tarkenton also founded Tarkenton Software, a computer-program generator company, and he toured the U.S. promoting CASE (computer-aided software engineering) with Albert F. Case, Jr. of Nastec Corporation. Tarkenton Software later merged with KnowledgeWare (with Tarkenton as president), until selling the company to Sterling Software in 1994.
Fran Tarkenton was born in Richmond, Virginia. His father, Dallas Tarkenton, Sr., was a Pentecostal minister. Fran Tarkenton went to Athens High School in Athens, Georgia, and later attended the University of Georgia, where he was the quarterback on the Bulldog football team. He led Georgia to the 1959 Southeastern Conference championship under Coach Wally Butts. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
wn.com/Fran_Tarkenton -
Franco Harris
Franco Harris (born March 7, 1950) is a former American football player. He played his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks.
In the 1972 NFL Draft he was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round, the 13th selection overall. His selection by the team was considered controversial at the time, as many thought the team would select his Penn State teammate, Lydell Mitchell. (Mitchell was later selected by the Baltimore Colts in the draft.) He played his first 12 years in the NFL with the Steelers; his 13th and final year (1984) was spent with the Seattle Seahawks. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. He was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2011.
Harris was born in Fort Dix, New Jersey. His African-American father served in World War II; his mother was a "war bride" from Italy. Harris graduated from Rancocas Valley Regional High School in Mount Holly Township, New Jersey and then attended Penn State University. While playing for Penn State's Nittany Lions, Harris served primarily as a blocker for the All-American running back Lydell Mitchell, though he amassed 2,048 yards rushing (17th in PSU history) with 24 touchdowns and averaged over 5 yards per carry, while also catching 29 passes for 358 yards and another touchdown. He led the team in scoring in 1970.
wn.com/Franco_Harris -
Frank Dancewicz
Francis Joseph "Boley" Dancewicz (October 3, 1924 – June 26, 1985) was an American football quarterback who played professionally in the National Football League. He was the first overall pick in the 1946 NFL Draft by the Boston Yanks.
He was a flashy quarterback at Notre Dame but played just three seasons of pro football.
Grandson is Chris Pizzotti, former quarterback at Harvard
wn.com/Frank_Dancewicz -
Frank Gatski
Frank Gatski (March 18, 1919 – November 22, 2005) was an American football player.
Gatski was born on March 18, 1919 in Farmington, West Virginia.
Gatski attended Marshall University and Auburn University and played as a center and linebacker. In the 1940s and 1950s he played center for the NFL teams Cleveland Browns (1946–56) and Detroit Lions (1957). In 12 seasons, Gatski's teams played for the league title 11 times.
After his playing career, he was a scout for the Boston Patriots and coach for the West Virginia Industrial School for Boys from 1961 to 1982.
He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985, in a class that included Joe Namath, Pete Rozelle, O.J. Simpson, and Roger Staubach.
Marshall University retired Gatski's number, #72, on October 15, 2005 during their homecoming game against the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the first Marshall football player to be so honored.
Gatski died on November 22, 2005 in Morgantown, West Virginia.
On November 18, 2006 in Huntington, WV, the East End Bridge was renamed the Frank Gatski Memorial Bridge during halftime of the Marshall-UTEP football game.
wn.com/Frank_Gatski -
Frank Gifford
Francis Newton "Frank" Gifford (born August 16, 1930) is a former American football player and American sportscaster.
Gifford was born in Santa Monica, California, the son of Lola Mae (née Hawkins) and Weldon Gifford, an oil driller.
After graduating from Bakersfield High School, Gifford was unable to gain an athletic scholarship to the University of Southern California (USC) due to his low grade point average. Undeterred, he played a season for Bakersfield Junior College, making the Junior College All-American team while making the grades needed to enroll at USC.
At USC, Gifford was named an All-American athlete and player and graduated in the class of 1952. In 1951 he ran for 841 yards on 195 carries.
He began his NFL career with the New York Giants by playing both offense and defense, a rarity when platoon football became popular after World War II. He made eight Pro Bowl appearances and had five trips to the NFL Championship Game. Gifford's biggest season may have been 1956, when he won the Most Valuable Player award of the NFL, and led the Giants to the NFL title over the Chicago Bears.
wn.com/Frank_Gifford -
Frank Loria
Frank Loria (1947 – November 14, 1970) was an American football defensive back. He was born in the town of Clarksburg, West Virginia in Harrison County and was a three sport athlete at Notre Dame Catholic High School.
He played college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies football team from 1965–1967, helping the Hokies to a berth in the 1966 Liberty Bowl. Loria was named consensus All-American in 1967.
Loria joined the Marshall University coaching staff as the defensive backs coach. He died in the Southern Airlines Flight 932 airplane crash, that killed most of Marshall's football team, on November 14, 1970.
Loria played safety in the same defensive backfield with Frank Beamer, the current coach at Virginia Tech. It is indicative of Loria's stature, as well as Beamer's humility, that when Frank Beamer was once asked if he ever thought about "what if" that plane had not crashed, that he replied to the effect that he thought it was quite possible that Loria might be the coach at Tech, and that he himself might be an assistant. Quite a statement from the man who brought Tech football into the spotlight.
wn.com/Frank_Loria -
Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson (born August 31, 1935) is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He played from 1956 to 1976, most notably for the Cincinnati Reds and the Baltimore Orioles. He is the only player to win league MVP honors in both the National and American Leagues. He won the Triple crown, was a member of two teams that won the World Series (the 1966 and 1970 Baltimore Orioles), and amassed the fourth-most career home runs at the time of his retirement (he is currently ninth). Robinson was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.
Robinson was the first African-American hired to serve as manager in Major League history. He managed the Cleveland Indians during the last two years of his playing career, compiling a 186–189 record. He went on to manage the San Francisco Giants, the Baltimore Orioles, and the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals.
Robinson attended McClymonds High School in Oakland, California, where he was a basketball teammate of Bill Russell. During the off-season while playing for the Reds in the late 1950s, he attended Xavier University in Cincinnati.
wn.com/Frank_Robinson -
Frank Sinkwich
Frank Francis Sinkwich, Sr. (October 10, 1920 – October 22, 1990) won the 1942 Heisman Trophy as a player for the University of Georgia, making him the first recipient from the Southeastern Conference. In the course of a brief but celebrated career in professional football, Sinkwich was selected for the National Football League Most Valuable Player Award. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954.
He's of Croat origin. Sinkwich was born in Croatia to his mother who had traveled back to Croatia to visit family and give birth to him. They relocated to Youngstown, Ohio when he was two years old.
According to an article Sinkwich wrote in 1988, he grew to appreciate the value of competitiveness on the streets of Youngstown's west side. "I learned early in neighborhood pickup games that I had the desire to compete", he wrote. "When people ask why I succeeded in athletics, I always tell them that I didn't want to get beat".
Sinkwich gained early recognition as a star athlete at Youngstown's Chaney High School. He went on to the University of Georgia and played under coach Wally Butts. In 1941 he led the nation in rushing yards with 209 carries for 1,103 yards. He was a two-time All-America selection and led the Bulldogs to an 11-1 season in 1942, capturing the Southeastern Conference Championship and a victory over UCLA in the 1943 Rose Bowl At the Rose Bowl in the team picture he was placed in number 52 instead of 21 because they did not want the press to be all over him. That same year, the Washington D.C. Touchdown Club honored Sinkwich as "back of the year", and he was overwhelmingly voted the Number 1 athlete for 1942 in the annual poll by the Associated Press over second-place finisher Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox, a year in which Williams was American League Batting Champion, American League Home Run Champion and hit for baseball's triple crown.
wn.com/Frank_Sinkwich -
Fred Dryer
John Frederick "Fred" Dryer (born July 6, 1946 in Hawthorne, California) is an American actor and former football defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). Dryer played 13 years in the NFL, playing 176 games, starting 166, and recording 104 career sacks with the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams. Dryer is the only NFL player to score two safeties in one game.
Following his retirement from football, Dryer had a successful career as a film and television actor, notably starring in the series Hunter. His height (6'6" or 1.98 m) and physique was useful for his action roles.
The son of Charles F. Dryer and Genevieve Nell Clark, Dryer began his football career at Lawndale High School in Lawndale, California, and then attended El Camino Junior College before transferring to San Diego State University (SDSU).
Dryer was inducted to the El Camino C.C. Athletic Hall Of Fame in 1988, as a charter member and was the Athlete of the Year for his 1966 performance on the football field. Dryer was also a 1966 Junior College All-American
wn.com/Fred_Dryer -
Fred Lynn
Fredric Michael "Fred" Lynn (born February 3, 1952) is an American former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox (1974–1980), California Angels (1981–1984), Baltimore Orioles (1985–1988), Detroit Tigers (1988–1989) and San Diego Padres (1990).
Fred Lynn was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2002 and to the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007.
After graduation from USC, Lynn started his career for the Red Sox with a phenomenal 1975 season in which he won the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year awards, the first player ever to win both in the same season. (The feat has since been duplicated by Seattle Mariners right fielder Ichiro Suzuki in 2001.) Lynn and fellow rookie outfielder Jim Rice were dubbed as the “Gold Dust Twins” because of their combined baseball talents. In 1975, Lynn led the American League in doubles, runs scored and slugging percentage, finished second in the batting race with a .331 average, and won a Gold Glove Award for his defensive play. On June 18 he bombed the Tigers with 3 HR, 10 RBI, and 16 total bases in one game.
wn.com/Fred_Lynn -
Fred Smerlas
Frederic Charles Smerlas (born April 8, 1957) is a former American football defensive lineman who was a 5-time NFL Pro Bowl selection during 14-year career as a nose tackle with the Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, and New England Patriots.
Smerlas, of Greek-American descent, graduated from Waltham High School in 1975, where he was a star football player and wrestler. He became a defensive lineman for Boston College before embarking on an NFL career. His 1990 autobiography, By a Nose, recounts his eleven years with the Buffalo Bills and their climb from cellar-dwellers to Super Bowl contenders.
Smerlas currently resides in Sudbury, Massachusetts and is a part-time co-host during football season on Sportsradio WEEI with Glenn Ordway & Michael Holley on the Big Show, as well as a contributor to western New York radio stations WGR in Buffalo and WHAM in Rochester. Smerlas is an avid motorcyclist, who often rides to support various Boston based charitable organizations.
Smerlas's company All Pro Productions is the leading telemarketer contractor and fundraiser for police, firefighter, and similar agencies in Massachusetts.
wn.com/Fred_Smerlas -
Gale Gillingham
Gale Herbert Gillingham (February 3, 1944 – October 20, 2011) was an American guard who spent his entire ten-year professional football career in the National Football League (NFL) with the Green Bay Packers (1966–1974, 1976).
Born in Madison, Wisconsin, Gillingham grew up on a farm in nearby Stoughton. He attended the University of Minnesota, where he was a classmate of future Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Aaron Brown, whom he faced in Super Bowl I.
In his rookie season, he alternated as the starter at left guard with veteran Fuzzy Thurston. During the 1967 season, he took Thurston's spot full-time, opposite perennial All-Pro Jerry Kramer. He started the Ice Bowl and Super Bowl II, coach Vince Lombardi's final games after nine seasons with the team.
Gillingham was the last member of the Lombardi-era Packers to be active with the franchise. By time he retired, Bart Starr, whom he blocked for when Starr was leading the Packers to victories in the first two Super Bowls, was the team's coach. Gillingham was a five-time Pro Bowler (1969, '70, '71, 73 and '74), six-time All Pro, and a two-time NFL First Team All Pro (1969 and '70). He was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1982.
wn.com/Gale_Gillingham -
Gale Sayers
Gale Eugene Sayers (born May 30, 1943), also known as "The Kansas Comet", is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons during the 1960s and early 1970s. He played college football for the University of Kansas, and was twice recognized as an All-American. He was a first-round pick in the 1965 NFL Draft, and played his entire pro career for the NFL's Chicago Bears.
Sayers is a member of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. His friendship with fellow Chicago Bear Brian Piccolo was the basis for the 1971 movie Brian's Song. He is a successful entrepreneur in the information technology field and an active philanthropist.
Born in Wichita, Kansas and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Sayers graduated from Omaha Central High School. There he set a state long jump record of 24'11 3/4". He went on to play college football at the University of Kansas and was a two-time All-American. During his Jayhawk career, he rushed for 2,675 yards and gained 3,917 all-purpose yards. In 1963, he set an NCAA Division I record with a 99-yard run against Nebraska. In his senior year, he led the Jayhawks to a 15-14 upset victory over Oklahoma with a 96-yard kickoff return. Sayers is considered by many to have been the greatest open field runner in college football history.[citation needed] While being interviewed by Len Kasper and Bob Brenly during a broadcast of a Chicago Cubs Baseball game on Sept. 8th, 2010, Sayers said he had originally intended to go to the University of Iowa. Sayers said that he decided against going to Iowa after the Iowa head coach, Jerry Burns, did not have time to meet Sayers during his on campus visit.[citation needed]
wn.com/Gale_Sayers -
Garo Yepremian
Garabed Sarkis "Garo" Yepremian (born June 2, 1944) is an Armenian-American former football placekicker in the National Football League for the Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a career that spanned from 1966 to 1981.
Yepremian was born in Larnaca, Cyprus to Armenian parents. On the island of Cyprus, his family did not have indoor plumbing and kept warm in winter by burning olive pits.
Yepremian and his brother Krikor emigrated to the U.S. to set a foundation for their parents' arrival. At a loss for a viable life plan, Yepremian happened to watch a few minutes of a football game on television. Yepremian told Krikor he knew the key to success in America: He believed he could kick field goals for a living.
He began his pro career with the Michigan Arrows of the Continental Football League.
After much practice in which Yepremian finally proved that he, indeed, might have the ability to kick, the brothers set off on a mission to convince NFL teams that Yepremian could be an American football star. The NFL didn't know what to make of the brothers and they were denied access to many practice facilities. Krikor acted as Yepremian's agent and finally managed to convince the Detroit Lions to give the small Yepremian (5'7", 160 pounds) a tryout. Yepremian's surprising talent earned him a contract. In his rookie year, he broke a record by kicking six field goals in a single game against the Minnesota Vikings. (That record was broken the next season when the St. Louis Cardinals' Jim Bakken kicked seven field goals in a game.) His talent aside, Yepremian was, nonetheless, at a loss regarding football vernacular and custom. In his first game his coach told him that their team had lost the coin toss, at which point Yepremian ran to midfield and dropped to his knees looking for the coin.
wn.com/Garo_Yepremian -
Gary Beban
Gary Joseph Beban (born August 5, 1946) is a former American football player. Son of an Italian-born mother and a first generation Croatian-American father, Beban won the 1967 Heisman Trophy, the most prestigious award in college football, and the Maxwell Award, while playing quarterback for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins.
Beban, known as "The Great One", excelled in both academics and athletics, majoring in European history while quarterbacking the Bruins across three straight victorious seasons. As UCLA quarterback, he was named to the all-conference team three times, and led the Bruins to a 24-5-2 record. His school record for total offense lasted 15 years. As a sophomore, he threw two touchdown passes in the last four minutes to rally the Bruins over crosstown arch-rival, USC, 20-16. In the 1966 Rose Bowl, Beban scored both UCLA's touchdowns in the Bruin's 14-12 victory over #1 ranked Michigan State.
In his senior year, Beban played in the 1967 USC vs. UCLA football game, widely regarded as one of the best college football games of all time. The game pitted #4 AP/#2 UPI ranked USC and their Heisman Trophy-candidate running back O.J. Simpson, against the #1 ranked Bruins and Beban—also a Heisman Trophy candidate—with both the AAWU and National championships, to say nothing of hometown bragging rights, on the line. Badly injured with torn rib cartilage and in great pain, Beban still threw for over 300 yards and two touchdown passes to lead the Bruins in scoring. Though USC eventually won the game, 21-20, by the margin of a blocked PAT, and went on to the Rose Bowl, Gary Beban would go on to win the Heisman Trophy. Both Beban and Simpson were featured on the cover of the November 20 issue of Sports Illustrated magazine. Commenting on Beban's heroic effort playing through injury, famed L.A. Times columnist Jim Murray wrote that if "Gary Beban wins the Heisman Trophy, they ought to fill it with aspirin"
wn.com/Gary_Beban -
Gary Glick
Gary Gaylen Glick (born May 14, 1930 in Grant, Nebraska) is a former professional American football safety who played seven seasons in the National Football League. He was the first overall selection in the 1956 NFL Draft. Glick attended Colorado State University, where he starred as a quarterback.
wn.com/Gary_Glick -
Gene Sarazen
Gene Sarazen (/ˈsɑrəzɛn/; February 27, 1902 – May 13, 1999) was an American professional golfer, one of the world's top players in the 1920s and 1930s. He is one of five golfers (along with Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods) to win all the current major championships in his career, the Career Grand Slam: U.S. Open in 1922, 1932, PGA Championship in 1922, 1923, 1933, British Open in 1932, and The Masters in 1935.
Sarazen was born in Harrison, New York as Eugenio Saraceni. Sarazen began caddying at age ten at local golf clubs, took up golf himself, and gradually developed his skills; he was essentially self-taught. He used the somewhat unusual, at the time, interlocking grip to hold the club.
Sarazen took a series of club professional jobs in the New York area from his mid-teens, and worked hard on his game. Sarazen won his first major championships – the 1922 U.S. Open and PGA Championship – at age 20. He was a contemporary and great rival of Bobby Jones, who was born in the same year; Sarazen also had many great battles with Walter Hagen, who was about ten years older. Sarazen, Jones, and Hagen were the world's dominant players during the 1920s. Rivalries among the three great champions significantly expanded interest in golf around the world during this period, and made the United States the world's dominant golf power for the first time, taking over this position from Great Britain.
wn.com/Gene_Sarazen -
Gene Upshaw
Eugene Thurman Upshaw, Jr. (a.k.a. Uptown Gene) (August 15, 1945 – August 20, 2008) was an American football player for the Oakland Raiders of the American Football League and later the NFL, later the executive director of the National Football League Players' Association (NFLPA). In 1987, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Upshaw was born in Robstown, Texas, USA. He graduated from Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M University-Kingsville), where he was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
After playing football in college at a number of offensive line positions, he settled at left offensive guard for the Oakland Raiders in the American Football League and the National Football League for 15 years. During that time, he played in three Super Bowls; in the 1967, 1976, and 1980 seasons, making him the only person other than Jerry Rice to play the game in three different decades. He also played in three AFL Championship Games, seven American Football Conference title games, one AFL All-Star game, and six NFL Pro Bowls. He was selected by The Sporting News' to the 1969 AFL All League team.
wn.com/Gene_Upshaw -
George Blanda
George Frederick Blanda ("The Grand Old Man") (September 17, 1927 – September 27, 2010) was a collegiate and professional football quarterback and placekicker. The son of a Slovak-born Pittsburgh-area coal miner, Blanda has the distinction of having played 26 seasons of Professional Football, the most in the sport's history, and had scored more points than anyone in history at the time of his retirement. Blanda retired from pro football in 1976. He was one of only three players to play in four different decades, and he holds the record for most extra points kicked. He was married to Betty Harris from December 17, 1949 until his death on September 27, 2010. He had two children.
Blanda was a quarterback and kicker at the University of Kentucky. Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, who later won fame and set countless records at conference rivals Alabama, arrived in his sophomore year, following a 1–9 season. The Wildcats lost three games in each of the next three years.
When, years later on a return to the University of Kentucky, recalling the time he met Bryant, Blanda said: "I thought this must be what God looks like."
wn.com/George_Blanda -
George Brett
George Howard Brett (born May 15, 1953), is an American former Major League Baseball third baseman, designated hitter, and first baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Kansas City Royals. Brett's 3,154 career hits are the most by any third baseman in major league history, and 16th all-time. Brett is one of four players in MLB history to accumulate 3,000 hits, 300 home runs, and a career .300 batting average with the others being Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Stan Musial. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999 on the first ballot.
Brett was born in Glen Dale, West Virginia. He was the youngest of four sons of a sports-minded family which included Ken, the second oldest, a major league pitcher who had pitched in the 1967 World Series at age 19. Brothers John (eldest) and Bobby had brief careers in the minor leagues. Although his three older brothers were born in Brooklyn, George was born in the northern panhandle of West Virginia. Jack & Ethel Brett then moved the family to the Midwest and three years later to El Segundo, a suburb of Los Angeles, just south of Los Angeles International Airport. George grew up hoping to follow in the footsteps of his three older brothers. He graduated from El Segundo High School in 1971 and was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the second round (29th overall) of the 1971 baseball draft. His high school teammate was pitcher Scott McGregor.
wn.com/George_Brett -
George Cafego
George Cafego (August 29, 1915 – February 9, 1998) was a college, and professional American football player and coach. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1969.
Born in rural Whipple, West Virginia, Cafego attended Oak Hill High School in nearby Oak Hill, West Virginia. He went to the University of Tennessee as a halfback under coach Robert Neyland. While there, he compiled 2,139 total yards and two All-American team selections. He was also a finalist for the Heisman Memorial Trophy. In addition to running and passing the ball, Cafego also served as punter and kickoff returner, excelling at both. At Tennessee his nickname was "Bad News".[citation needed]
Cafego was drafted as a number one overall pick in 1940 by the Chicago Cardinals. He eventually played for the Brooklyn Dodgers. After playing one season, his career was interrupted by a brief stint of Army service in World War II. Returning to the Dodgers in 1943, he was traded to the Washington Redskins after five unspectacular games. For the 1944 and 1945 seasons, Cafego played for the Boston Yanks before retiring.
wn.com/George_Cafego -
George Foreman
George Edward Foreman (nicknamed "Big George") (born January 10, 1949) is a retired American professional boxer, former two-time World Heavyweight Champion, Olympic gold medalist, ordained Baptist minister, author and successful entrepreneur.
A gold medalist at the 1968 Olympics, Foreman won the World Heavyweight title with a second round knockout of then-undefeated Joe Frazier in Kingston, Jamaica in 1973. He made two successful title defenses before losing to Muhammad Ali in "The Rumble in the Jungle" in 1974. He fought on but was unable to secure another title shot and retired following a loss to Jimmy Young in 1977 and became an ordained Christian minister. Ten years later Foreman announced a comeback, and in November 1994, at age 45, he regained the Heavyweight Championship by knocking out Michael Moorer. He remains the oldest Heavyweight Champion in history. He retired in 1997 at the age of 48, with a final record of 76–5, including 68 knockouts.
Foreman has been inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame and the International Boxing Hall of Fame. The International Boxing Research Organization (IBRO) currently rates Foreman as the eighth greatest heavyweight of all-time. In 2002, he was named one of the 25 greatest fighters of the past eighty years by The Ring magazine.The Ring also ranked him as the 9th greatest puncher of all-time. He was a ringside analyst for HBO's boxing coverage for twelve years, leaving in 2004. Outside of boxing, he is a successful entrepreneur and is known for his promotion of the George Foreman Grill, which has sold over 100 million units worldwide. In 1999 he sold the naming rights to the grill for $138 million.
wn.com/George_Foreman -
George Kunz
George Kunz (born July 5, 1947) was an offensive lineman in the National Football League from 1969-1978 & 1980 with the Atlanta Falcons 1969-1974 and Baltimore Colts 1975-1978 & 1980.
Tackle at the University of Notre Dame, he was 1968 consensus First-team All-American and a member of 1966 Notre Dame national championship team. He was a two-year starter at right offensive tackle and co-captain of Irish team in 1968. In addition he was National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete honoree in 1968, being voted Academic All-American in 1968 and winner of NCAA post-graduate scholarship.
Kunz was selected in the 1st Round of the 1969 NFL Draft by the Falcons with the 2nd overall selection.
Kunz established himself as one of the premier offensive linemen of his generation, being named to the Pro Bowl team 8 times (1969, 1971-'77) in a 9-year span. In addition, Kunz was named All-Pro in 1972, 1973 and 1975, 2nd Team All-Pro in 1976 & 1977. Kunz was also All-Conference in 1973, 1975, 1976, and 1977 and 2nd team All-Conference in 1972 and 1974.
wn.com/George_Kunz -
George Saimes
George Thomas Saimes (born September 15, 1941 in Canton, Ohio) is a former American football defensive back and fullback for Michigan State University and the Buffalo Bills of the American Football League, which produced American Football League Championships in 1964 and 1965. In 1964 he had a career-high six interceptions and earned the first of his five American Football League All-Star Game appearances. He made The Sporting News All-AFL Team in 1964, 1965 and 1967. Former Pro Football writer and president of the Pro Football Writers Association, Larry Felser, calls Saimes "the finest open-field tackler in the league."
He achieved All-American Football League honors five times, and is a member of the American Football League All-Time Team, the Buffalo Bills' Wall of Fame, and the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.
Saimes went on to be a professional football scout with the Blesto V Combine, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Washington Redskins, and the Houston Texans.
wn.com/George_Saimes -
Gil Garcetti
Gilbert Salvadore Iberri "Gil" Garcetti (born August 5, 1941) is an American politician. He served as Los Angeles County's 40th District Attorney for two terms, from 1992 until November 7, 2000.
Gil Garcetti received a bachelor's degree in Management from the University of Southern California and a Juris Doctor from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Before becoming District Attorney, Garcetti served within the office for over twenty years, from trial prosecutor to managerial positions and eventually becoming chief deputy district attorney for his predecessor, Ira Reiner (District Attorney from 1984 – 1992). Reiner decided not to run for a third term, and Garcetti won the 1992 election.
Entering the 1992 elections, LA County was still recovering from the aftermath of the highly publicized 1991 Rodney King beating at the hands of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the massive unrest of the 1992 LA Riots.
Garcetti's first term was dominated by his office's prosecution of the O.J. Simpson double-murder trial. The long, costly criminal trial ended with a "not guilty" verdict on October 3, 1995. Despite the setback, Garcetti was able to win re-election in 1996, narrowly defeating challenger John Lynch.
wn.com/Gil_Garcetti -
Gino Marchetti
Gino John Marchetti (born January 2, 1926) is a former professional American football player in the National Football League. A defensive end, he played in 1952 for the Dallas Texans and from 1953 to 1966 for the Baltimore Colts.
Marchetti enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduating high school in Antioch, California and fought in the Battle of the Bulge as a machine gunner during World War II. Upon returning home after the war, he attended Modesto Junior College (Calif.) for a year before joining the football program at the University of San Francisco, where his team enjoyed an undefeated season in 1951. He was drafted in the second round with the 14th overall pick by the New York Yanks in 1952. In 2004, Marchetti was voted to the East-West Shrine Game Hall of Fame.
During his rookie season, the Yanks became the Dallas Texans, which became the Baltimore Colts in 1953. Marchetti played 13 seasons with the Colts and helped them win NFL Championships in 1958 and 1959. During his career, he was noted for being effective against the run and a relentless pass-rusher. He was voted "the greatest defensive end in pro football history" by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1972.
wn.com/Gino_Marchetti -
Gino Torretta
Gino Louis Torretta (born August 10, 1970) is a former American college and professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons. He played college football for the University of Miami, won the Heisman Trophy in 1992, and was a member of the Miami Hurricanes' national championship teams of 1989 and 1991. A seventh-round pick in the 1993 NFL Draft, he was a member of several NFL teams, but never became a regular starter as a pro. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
Torretta was born in Pinole, California. He graduated from Pinole Valley High School, where he was a standout high school football quarterback for the Pinole Spartans.
Torretta accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Miami, where he played for the Miami Hurricanes football team from 1989 to 1992.
As a quarterback for the Hurricanes, Torretta spent his first two seasons mostly on the bench behind then starting quarterback Craig Erickson, with his only significant playing time coming with three starts in 1989 after Erickson injured his throwing hand. During that span, however, the then-unknown Torretta lit up San Diego State for 485 yards, setting a school record for most passing yards in a game that has not since been broken.
wn.com/Gino_Torretta -
Glenn Ressler
Glenn Emanuel Ressler (born May 21, 1943) was a National Football League offensive lineman from 1965 through 1974. During that span he appeared in Super Bowl III and Super Bowl V for the Baltimore Colts. He played college football at Penn State University. In 2001 he was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame.
wn.com/Glenn_Ressler -
Graham Harrell
Graham Harrell (born May 22, 1985) is an American football quarterback. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers in May 2010. He was on the practice squad for the first 13 games of the 2010 season before being signed to the active roster for the last three regular season games and the postseason. He started the 2011 season on the practice squad but was signed to the active roster prior to week 14. He played college football at Texas Tech.
Harrell played at Ennis High School in Ennis, Texas, where he was coached by his father, Sam Harrell. He was the starting quarterback for three seasons and led the Fighting Lions to a state Class 4A title as a sophomore. He also played in the 2004 Oil Bowl, receiving the offensive MVP award.
Harrell set Texas high school records in the following categories:
In addition, Harrell ranks second in career pass completions (805 from 2000–2003).
In 2004, Harrell redshirted his first season at Texas Tech. The following season, he served as the backup quarterback behind Cody Hodges.
wn.com/Graham_Harrell -
Granville Liggins
Granville 'Granny' Liggins (born on June 2, 1946 in Tulsa, Oklahoma) was an American football and a Canadian Football League player.
At the University of Oklahoma, Liggins was not only a football player, but also a wrestler. In 1967, he was an NCAA Division I All-American wrestler, a Consensus All-American with the Sooners football team, where he played noseguard, 7th in Heisman Trophy voting, UPI Lineman of the Year, and an All-Big Eight Conference All-Star. He was a member of the Sooners' squad when it upset the #2 ranked Tennessee Volunteers 26-24 in the 1968 Orange Bowl. A highlight feature of the game was nose-guard Liggins squaring off against Tennessee's All-American center Bob Johnson. By the 2nd half of the game, Tennessee was forced to double-team Liggins in an attempt to shut-off his quarterback pass rush.
In his autobiography, Fighting Back, former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Robert "Rocky" Bleier lauded Liggins as perhaps the fastest defensive lineman Bleier had ever faced during his college career.
wn.com/Granville_Liggins -
Greg Pruitt
Gregory Donald Pruitt (born August 18, 1951 in Houston, Texas) is a former American football running back in the NFL from 1973 through 1984. He was selected to five Pro Bowls, four as a member of the Cleveland Browns and one as a member of the Los Angeles Raiders, the last one as a kick returner. He was also part of the Raiders' Super Bowl XVIII winning team.
Pruitt was an All-American at the University of Oklahoma in 1971 and 1972, Greg was All-Big 8 as well in '71 and '72. He ranks third among Sooners in career all-purpose yards. Pruitt gained 3,122 rushing yards, 491 receiving yards, 139 yards on punt returns and 679 yards returning kickoffs. Pruitt scored 41 career touchdowns as a Sooner.
In 1999 he was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame.
The Greg Pruitt rule established tear-away jerseys as illegal. Pruitt purposely wore flimsy jerseys that ripped apart in the hands of would-be tacklers.
In 1979, Pruitt won ABC's Superstars, an all-around sports competition that pits elite athletes from different sports against one another in a series of athletic events resembling a decathlon.
wn.com/Greg_Pruitt -
Gregg Williams
Gregg Williams (born July 15, 1958) is an American football coach, and former head coach of the Buffalo Bills. Williams is known for running aggressive, attacking 4-3 schemes that put heavy pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
On March 21, 2012, Williams was suspended from the NFL indefinitely as a result of his (admitted) involvement in the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal, under which bounties were paid for causing injuries that would take targeted players on opponent teams out of games.
Gregg Williams was a head coach for the Class 5 Belton High School Pirate football team in Belton, Missouri. He attended Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University) in Kirksville, Missouri. Williams was an assistant coach for the University of Houston under former Redskins head coach, Jack Pardee.
In 1990 Williams became the Special Teams coach of the Houston Oilers under then defensive coordinator, Buddy Ryan. From 1994-1996, Williams was the linebackers coach for the Oilers. From 1997-2000, Williams was promoted to Defensive Coordinator of the now Tennessee Titans after the Oilers moved out of Houston. As the Defensive Coordinator, the Titans led the league in total defense and only gave up 191 points, the third fewest in the NFL since the league adopted the 16-game schedule in 1978. The defense also helped lead the Titans to Super Bowl XXXIV where they lost to the St. Louis Rams.
wn.com/Gregg_Williams -
Gunder Hägg
Gunder Hägg (December 31, 1918, Albacken – November 27, 2004) was a Swedish runner and multiple world record breaker of the 1940s. Gunder Hägg set over a dozen middle distance world records at events ranging from 1500 to 5000 meters, including three at both the 1500 meters and the mile, one at 3000 meters and one at 5000 meters.
Hägg and fellow Swede, Arne Andersson, lowered the record for the mile to just over four minutes (4:01.4) - accelerating the progression of the world record in the mile run. Both athletes set three world records for the mile. Hägg first set the record in July 1942 at 4:06.2, a time which was equalled by Anderson later the same month. This record was broken by Hägg (4:04.6) in September the same year. Andersson recaptured the world record in July 1943 (4:02.6), and improved it further in July 1944 (4:01.6). However, Hägg had the last word when he ran 4:01.4 in Malmö in 1945 (Hägg's record was not broken until Roger Bannister ran the first sub-4 mile in Oxford in 1954).
wn.com/Gunder_Hägg -
Hank Bullough
Henry Charles "Hank" Bullough (born January 24, 1934) is a former American Football player and coach. He played college football at Michigan State and graduated in 1954. Bullough was a starting guard for the Spartans team that won the 1952 Rose Bowl. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the 53rd pick in the 5th round of the 1955 NFL Draft.
Bullough's first coaching position was at his alma mater, Michigan State, where he served for 11 seasons. In 1970, he became linebackers coach for the Baltimore Colts under head coach Don McCafferty.
As defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots in the 1970s Bullough is credited, along with his college teammate Chuck Fairbanks, with being a significant figure in bringing the 3-4 defense to the NFL. After Fairbanks was suspended prior to the final game of the 1978 season, Bullough's and fellow assistant Ron Erhardt were named co-head coaches for the remainder of the season. After the season Patriots owner Billy Sullivan appointed Erhadt head coach instead of Bullough. Bullough would remain defensive coordinator for one more season with the Patriots.
wn.com/Hank_Bullough -
Harold Carmichael
Lee Harold Carmichael (born September 22, 1949 in Jacksonville, Florida) is a retired American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He played 13 seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles (1971–1983), and one season for the Dallas Cowboys (1984). He played college football at Southern University. Atypical for his time, he was an extremely tall receiver (standing 6 foot 8 inches).
Carmichael was elected to four Pro Bowls in his NFL career, and led the league in receptions and receiving yards during the 1973 season. He finished third in receiving yards in 1978 with 1,072 and was second in receiving touchdowns in 1979 with 11. He was also the Eagles' top receiver of Super Bowl XV, with six catches for 91 yards. He ended his career with 590 receptions for 8,985 yards with 79 career touchdown catches, along with 64 rushing yards on nine carries. He still ranks 18th all-time in career touchdown receptions.
Carmichael was selected to the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team by voters of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
wn.com/Harold_Carmichael -
Harry Gilmer
Harry Vincent Gilmer, Jr. (born April 14, 1926) is a former American football halfback and quarterback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and Detroit Lions. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993.
Gilmer was born in Birmingham, Alabama, where he attended and played high school football at Woodlawn High School. Gilmer often utilized the practice of leaping high into the air to pass the ball because as a child he often played pickup games with teammates who were much older and thus taller than he was. Gilmer was then one of the first players to popularize the "jump pass" when he continued using the technique at the collegiate level.
After high school, Gilmer attended and played college football at the University of Alabama, where he was the left halfback from 1944 to 1947. As a freshman, he was 8 for 8 in passing attempts during a loss against Duke University in the Sugar Bowl. Gilmer's best year was his sophomore season, when he led the nation in touchdown passes, 13, and he ran for nine touchdowns. He had 79 rushing attempts with an average gain of 7.0 yards and a passing percentage of .648 on 88 attempts. His total offense, 1,457 yards, was second in the nation. Gilmer also spent time as a punter and kickoff returner and in his junior year, he returned 37 punts and his average, 14.5 yards, led the nation. During that season, Gilmer led Alabama to the 1946 Rose Bowl, where they beat the University of Southern California, 34-14.
wn.com/Harry_Gilmer -
Harvey Martin
Harvey Banks Martin (November 16, 1950 – December 24, 2001) was an American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys from 1973 until 1983. He started playing football in high school, only because he overheard his father tell his mother that he was ashamed that his son did not play like his friends' children. He eventually starred at South Oak Cliff High School and East Texas State University before being drafted in the third round of the 1973 NFL Draft.
In 1967, Martin's junior year in high school, he transferred to South Oak Cliff High School, which had become the first integrated high school in Dallas. That year, Martin suited up for a football team for the first time in his life. The team went 9-1 that year, though Martin was a backup offensive tackle and only played whenever they had a sizable lead. That would change by his senior year, when in the spring game he got a chance to fill in on defense, which eventually convinced the coaches to move him to defensive tackle. By the third game of his senior year he was a starter and by the end of the season he was the best lineman on a 12-1 team that won the Dallas City championship and went on to the state quarterfinals. Still, he was so skinny and so late-blooming that the only college that offered him a scholarship was East Texas State in Commerce (now named Texas A&M University–Commerce).
wn.com/Harvey_Martin -
Haven Moses
Haven Christopher Moses (born July 27, 1946 in Los Angeles, California) is a former American football wide receiver. Haven played collegiately for Los Angeles Harbor College and San Diego State University. He was drafted by the American Football League's Buffalo Bills in the first round (9th overall) of the 1968 Draft and played for the Bills from 1968 to 1972. During the 1972 season he was traded to the Denver Broncos for Wide Receiver Dwight Harrison. Haven made the AFL All-Star Game in 1969 and the NFL Pro Bowl in 1973. He is on the "Ring of Fame" in Invesco Field at Mile High.
wn.com/Haven_Moses -
Herb Elliott
Herbert James "Herb" Elliott AC MBE (born 25 February 1938) is a former Australian athlete, one of the world's greatest middle distance runners. In August 1958 he set the world record in the mile, clocking 3:54.5, 2.7 seconds under the record held by Derek Ibbotson; later in the month he set the 1500 metres world record, running 3.36.0, 2.1 seconds under the record held by Stanislav Jungwirth. In the 1500 metres at the 1960 Rome Olympics, he won the gold medal and bettered his own world record with a time of 3:35.6.
Few people have ever exercised such absolute authority in any branch of sport as Elliott did in middle distance running from 1957 to 1961. During that span he never lost a 1500 metres or 1-mile race. During his career, he broke four minutes for the mile on 17 occasions.
Elliott is the chairman of one of the world´s largest iron ore mining companies, and of the Global Corporate Challenge health initiative.
Elliott, a native of Perth, Western Australia, attended Aquinas College, in Perth. Aquinas College is renowned for its sport culture, and it was this culture that helped Elliott achieve such heights in athletics. He also attended Cambridge University.
wn.com/Herb_Elliott -
Hermann Maier
Hermann Maier (born December 7, 1972) is a former World Cup champion alpine ski racer and Olympic gold medalist from Austria. Born in Altenmarkt im Pongau in Salzburg, Maier ranks among the finest alpine ski racers in history, with four overall World Cup titles (1998, 2000, 2001, 2004), two Olympic gold medals (both in 1998), and three World Championship titles (1999: 2, and 2005). His 54 World Cup race victories (24 Super-G, 15 Downhills, 14 Giant Slaloms, 1 Combined) rank second on the men's all-time list behind Ingemar Stenmark's 86 victories. He is nicknamed the "Herminator".
Hermann Maier did not initially enjoy much success in ski racing. As a 15-year old at the Schladming ski academy, he was sent home after being told he wouldn't succeed because of his slight build, caused by growth impairments. He returned home to his hometown of Flachau and his father's ski school, which remains Maier's home. He took up work as a bricklayer in the summer and a ski instructor in the winter.
Participating in local races, Maier became a multiple regional champion in Salzburg and Tyrol, but still was not able to gain a spot in the strong Austrian World Cup ski team. Putting that behind him, his outstanding talent was recognized for the first time by Austrian coaches on 6 January 1996, when he was timed with the 12th fastest time in a World Cup giant slalom in Flachau, although only starting as a forerunner, not participating in the actual competition.[citation needed] This would become the starting point of his international career.
wn.com/Hermann_Maier -
Herschel Walker
Herschel Junior Walker (born March 3, 1962) is a former American college and professional football player and a mixed martial artist. He played college football for the University of Georgia, was a three-time All-American, and won the 1982 Heisman Trophy. Walker began his professional football career with the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League (USFL), before joining the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). In the NFL, he also played for the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.
Walker was born in Wrightsville, Georgia to Willis and Christine Walker. He was raised as one of the 7 children in a blue collar family. Walker said that as a child he was overweight and had a speech impediment. Walker's mother taught him not to use these problems as excuses in life.
Walker played for the Johnson County High School Trojans in Wrightsville, Georgia from 1975–1979. In 1979, he rushed for 3,167 yards, helping the Trojans to their first state championship. He was awarded the first Dial Award for the national high school scholar-athlete of the year in 1979.
wn.com/Herschel_Walker -
Howard Cassady
Howard Albert "Hopalong" Cassady (born March 2, 1934) is a former college and professional American football running back. He was the Heisman Trophy winner of 1955 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
Cassady was born in Columbus, Ohio and attended the now closed Central High School.
Cassady played for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1952-55. During his college career, he scored 37 touchdowns in 36 games. He also played defensive back; a pass was never completed on him in his four years at the university. He was twice selected as a consensus All-American, in 1954 and 1955. In 1954 the Buckeyes finished the season 10-0 and won a consensus national championship. That year Cassady finished third in the vote for the Heisman Trophy behind Alan Ameche of Wisconsin. In 1955, Cassady won the Heisman Trophy (by the largest margin at the time), the Maxwell Award, and was named the Associated Press Athlete of the Year.
Cassady earned the nickname "Hopalong" during his first game as a freshman for Ohio State. Columbus sportswriters who saw him play said he "hopped all over the field like the performing cowboy," a reference to the fictional character Hopalong Cassidy. In that game Cassady came off the bench to score three touchdowns in a win over Indiana University.
wn.com/Howard_Cassady -
Ingemar Johansson
Jens Ingemar Johansson (September 22, 1932 – January 30, 2009) was a Swedish boxer and former heavyweight champion of the world. Johansson was the fifth heavyweight champion born outside the United States. In 1959 he defeated Floyd Patterson by TKO in the third round, after flooring Patterson seven times in that round, to win the World Heavyweight Championship. As a result, Johansson won the Hickok Belt as top professional athlete of the year and was named the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year and Sports Illustrated magazine's "Sportsman of the Year".
Johansson enjoyed a successful career as a heavyweight. When he retired in 1963 he had a record of 26 wins, 17 by KO, and only 2 losses. He called his right fist "toonder and lightning" for its concussive power (it was also called "Ingo's Bingo" and the "Hammer of Thor"), and in 2003 he was ranked at #99 on The Ring's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time. He reputedly had bone trouble in his right hand on and off throughout his career as a result.
wn.com/Ingemar_Johansson -
Irving Fryar
Irving Dale Fryar (born September 28, 1962) is a former American college and professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for seventeen seasons. Fryar played college football for the University of Nebraska, and was recognized as an All-American. He was selected with the first overall pick of the 1984 NFL Draft, becoming the first wide receiver to be taken number one overall, and played professionally for the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Redskins of the NFL.
Fryar grew up in Mount Holly Township, New Jersey and played high school football at Rancocas Valley Regional High School.
An All-American for the University of Nebraska in 1983, Fryar played alongside Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier (running back) and Heisman finalist Turner Gill (quarterback).
Fryar was the first wide receiver to be drafted first overall in the NFL Draft when the New England Patriots made him the top selection of the 1984 NFL Draft.
wn.com/Irving_Fryar -
Isaac Curtis
Isaac Fisher Curtis (born October 20, 1950 in Santa Ana, California) is a former professional American football wide receiver who played his entire National Football League career with the Cincinnati Bengals (1973–1984).
Curtis attended University of California, Berkeley for three years. He excelled as a member of Cal's track team, but was running back and kick returner for the football team. After he finished his junior season, Curtis transferred to San Diego State Universitybecause of the controversy surrounding the probation of Cal's football team. He excelled as a slot wide receiver during his senior season under the famed Aztecs coach Don Coryell, catching 44 passes for 832 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Entering the 1973 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals needed a wide receiver who had speed to spread the field and opposing defenses for their franchise quarterback Ken Anderson. Isaac Curtis had world-class speed, running a 9.30 seconds in the 100-yard dash as a member of Cal's track team, making him faster than Jesse Owens, who ran it in 9.40 seconds. Given all the variables, that would indicate his 40-yard dash time would be around a 4.17, which meant he would easily be one of the most athletic people to ever wear an NFL uniform. Although he had played only one year at wide receiver, Paul Brown decided to take a chance on Isaac Curtis and drafted him in the first round (15th overall selection). Later on in his career Paul Brown would say that what he liked the most about Isaac Curtis was not so much his athleticism but his always quietly confident personality, saying "He's a very gentle person...no jumping up and down, spiking it, or trash talking".
wn.com/Isaac_Curtis -
Isiah Robertson
Isiah "Butch" Robertson (born August 17, 1949 in New Orleans, Louisiana) is a former professional American football player who played linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams (1971–1978) and the Buffalo Bills (1979–1982). He was selected to six Pro Bowls during his years with the Rams. He picked off 25 passes in his career, returning three for touchdowns. He scored a fourth touchdown on a fumble recovery in 1978. According to Rams and Bills records, Robertson also sacked the quarterback 25½ times and recorded 16 fumbles in his career.
Isiah Robertson combined size, strength, quickness, speed, toughness, and a knack for making the game-breaking play. Isiah was one of the NFL's fastest linebackers. He was clocked at 4.6 in the 40-yard dash.
In 1970, his senior year at Southern University, he made 112 tackles and had 45 assists. Isiah was chosen to The Sporting News and TIME 1970 All-American team in 1970 as well as being named AP and UPI small college All-American Teams. Isiah returned an interception 102 yards for a game-winning touchdown against Grambling with only a few seconds to play.
wn.com/Isiah_Robertson -
Jack Concannon
John Joseph "Jack" Concannon, Jr. (February 25, 1943 – November 28, 2005) was an American football quarterback in the National Football League.
He played halfback and quarterback for Boston College and was the first selection of the 1964 American Football League Draft, picked by the Boston Patriots on November 30, 1963. Concannon was taken in the 1964 NFL Draft in the second round by the Philadelphia Eagles, with the 16th overall selection. The Eagles were able to sign Concannon with a $50,000 contract.
He saw limited playing time behind Eagles starting quarterback Norm Snead. In 1966, Concannon led the Eagles to several early December wins that allowed Philadelphia to finish the season with a 9-5 record and a tie for second place in the Eastern Conference of the NFL. He played with Philadelphia from 1964 through 1966 and then was traded to the Chicago Bears for tight end Mike Ditka. He played for five years with the Bears. In 1967, Concannon rushed for a career-high 279 yards, but he was injured during the 1968 season and never put up significant rushing numbers again. His most productive season as a passer came in 1970, when he set career marks with 385 attempts, 194 completions, 2130 yards, and 16 TDs; as well as throwing 18 interceptions. His performance quickly dropped off after that, as he was limited to just three games due to an injury in 1971, which would also be his last season with the Bears. He was traded to the Dallas Cowboys, and played on the practice squad for two seasons. He was picked up by the Green Bay Packers in 1974 and ended his career as a backup in 1975 with the Detroit Lions.
wn.com/Jack_Concannon -
Jack Ham
Jack Raphael Ham, Jr. (born December 23, 1948) is a former American Football linebacker who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is considered one of the greatest outside linebackers in the history of the NFL.
Ham was born and raised in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where he attended Bishop McCort High School. He continued his education at Massanutten Military Academy in Woodstock, Virginia for a post-graduate season.
Ham played college ball at Penn State. In his three years as a starting linebacker, the Nittany Lions had records of 11-0, 11-0, and 7–3. In his senior year, 1970, Ham was co-captain, had 91 tackles, four interceptions, and was an All-American. He had 251 career tackles, 143 unassisted. He blocked three punts in 1968, setting a school record that was not tied until 1989.[citation needed] He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
Ham was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second-round (34th overall) of the 1971 NFL Draft. He won the starting left linebacker job as a rookie. He was first-team All-Pro six years and was named to eight straight Pro Bowls. He was named the greatest outside linebacker of all time by a consortium of professional sports writers, beating Lawrence Taylor for this honor.[citation needed] Ham was blessed with tremendous quickness — according to Steelers coach Chuck Noll and teammate Andy Russell he was the "fastest Steeler for the first ten yards, including wide receivers and running backs", this was on a team which included John Stallworth, Lynn Swann and Frank Lewis.[citation needed] He was one of the few outside linebackers who could play pass defense as well as the NFL's top safeties. Although he was a ferocious hitter, he was known as a player who couldn't be fooled and was seldom out of position.Maxie Baughan, the great former NFL linebacker said of Ham, "He was one of the more intelligent players to ever play that position. He was able to diagnose plays. You couldn't ever fool him."[citation needed]
wn.com/Jack_Ham -
Jack Kemp
Jack French Kemp (July 13, 1935 – May 2, 2009) was an American politician and a collegiate and professional football player. A Republican, he served as Housing Secretary in the administration of President George H. W. Bush from 1989 to 1993, having previously served nine terms as a congressman for Western New York's 31st congressional district from 1971 to 1989. He was the Republican Party's nominee for Vice President in the 1996 election, where he was the running mate of presidential nominee Bob Dole. Kemp had previously contended for the presidential nomination in the 1988 Republican primaries.
Before entering politics, Kemp was a professional quarterback for 13 years. He played briefly in the National Football League (NFL) and the Canadian Football League (CFL), but became a star in the American Football League (AFL). He served as captain of both the San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills and earned the AFL Most Valuable Player award in 1965 after leading the Bills to a second consecutive championship. He played in the AFL for all 10 years of its existence, appeared in its All-Star game seven times, played in its championship game five times, and set many of the league's career passing records. Kemp also co-founded the AFL Players Association, for which he served five terms as president. During the early part of his football career, he served in the United States Army Reserve.
wn.com/Jack_Kemp -
Jack McKeon
John Aloysius McKeon (pronounced /məˈkiːən/; born November 23, 1930 in South Amboy, New Jersey), nicknamed "Trader Jack", is a former Major League Baseball manager. McKeon played baseball for the College of the Holy Cross. In 2003, he won a World Series with the Florida Marlins. When he took over as manager of the Marlins in 2011 at age 80, he became the second oldest manager in major league history, behind only Connie Mack.
McKeon previously managed the Kansas City Royals from 1973 to 1975, the Oakland Athletics in 1977 and 1978, the San Diego Padres from 1988 to 1990, and the Cincinnati Reds from 1997 to 2000. From 1981 to 1990, he served as general manager of the Padres, forming the team which won the 1984 National League pennant.
As a player, McKeon, a catcher, spent his entire career in the minor leagues. He managed in the farm system of the original Washington Senators franchise, and its successor, the Minnesota Twins, handling Triple-A assignments for the Vancouver Mounties (1962), Dallas-Fort Worth Rangers (1963), and Atlanta Crackers (part of 1964). He then scouted for the Twins before joining the Royals in 1968 as skipper of their Class A High Point-Thomasville farm team. He led their AAA affiliate, the Omaha Royals of the American Association, from 1969 through 1972, and won two league championships. He also managed the Richmond Braves and the Denver Bears during the 1970s, after his firing by the Royals.
wn.com/Jack_McKeon -
Jack Youngblood
Herbert Jackson Youngblood, III (born January 26, 1950) is a former American college and professional football player who was a defensive end for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL) for fourteen seasons during the 1970s and 1980s. He was a five-time consensus All-Pro and a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Before playing professionally, Youngblood played college football for the University of Florida, and was recognized as an All-American. He is considered among the best players Florida ever produced—a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and one of only five Florida Gators to be named to the Gator Football Ring of Honor.
After retiring as a player in 1985, Youngblood worked in the Rams' front office until 1991. He also worked in the front office of the Sacramento Surge of the Canadian Football League (CFL) from 1992 to 1993, and the administration of the CFL's Sacramento Gold Miners from 1993 to 1994. He was a vice-president, then president, of the Orlando Predators from 1995 until 1999. From 1999 through 2002, he served as the NFL's liaison for the Arena Football League.
wn.com/Jack_Youngblood -
Jake Long
Jake Edward Long (born May 9, 1985) is an American football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Dolphins first overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan. Previously he starred at Lapeer East High School in football, basketball and baseball.
In high school, Long was the first player in his high school's history to earn all-state "Dream Team" (all-class state team) honors in football from the Detroit News. He was a two-time First-team All-Metro League player in both basketball and football, where he was honored both on offense and defense. In baseball, he was a two-time Second-team All-Metro League selection. In both basketball and football, he led his team to regular and post season success that had not been seen in many years.
At the University of Michigan, he redshirted for a year and then became a starter at offensive tackle for the football team in the third game of his redshirt freshman season. He earned Second-team All-Big Ten Conference recognition and Rivals.com Freshman All-American recognition. In 2006 & 2007, he earned Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year and First-team All-Big Ten Conference recognition. In 2006 he was an Outland and Lombardi Trophy watch lists selection and in 2007 he was a finalist for both awards. He was a 2006 consensus All-American and 2007 unanimous All-American.
wn.com/Jake_Long -
Jake Scott
Jacob E. Scott, III (born July 20, 1945) is a former American football free safety and punt returner who played from 1970 to 1978 for the Miami Dolphins and Washington Redskins of the National Football League. Scott went to the Pro Bowl five consecutive times between 1971, and 1975. He recorded 35 interceptions in his six seasons as a Dolphin, and another 14 in his three years with the Redskins. He was also a five-time All-Pro.
Scott wore number 13 throughout his career (a number not worn by NFL safeties today), which was later made famous in Miami by Dan Marino, and has since been retired in Marino's honor.
After growing up in Athens, Georgia, Scott played college football at the University of Georgia, where he led Georgia in interceptions in 1967 with six interceptions and 1968 with ten interceptions. In 1967, Scott was named first-team All-SEC defensive back by the Associated Press, and in 1968 again in both the AP and the UPI. The ten interceptions in a season is now second-most in Georgia history behind Terry Hoage’s 12 in 1982. Scott’s 175 return yards on interceptions in 1968 is also second all-time for Georgia.
wn.com/Jake_Scott -
Jamal Lewis
Jamal Lafitte Lewis (born August 26, 1979) is a former American football running back in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens fifth overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.
After spending his first seven seasons with the Ravens, Lewis signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns prior to the 2007 season.
Lewis attended Douglass High School in Atlanta, Georgia. Lewis was rated the top RB prospect in the nation by Super Prep. Prep Star rated him as the No. 2 southern RB. Lewis rushed for 1,716 yards and 25 TD as a senior and earned AAAA All-State and All-City honors. He was named MVP of the Georgia-Florida All-Star Game with 137 yards on 11 carries (12.4 avg.) and 2 TDs. Jamal gained 1,923 yards and scored 28 TDs as a junior and 1,240 yards and 15 TDs as a sophomore. In his 3 years as a starter, he rushed for a school-record 4,879 yards and 68 TDs, plus had a 9.7-yard average per carry.[citation needed] While at Douglass, Lewis went from a fullback to starting at running back, and also participated in track and field.
wn.com/Jamal_Lewis -
JaMarcus Russell
JaMarcus Trenell Russell (born August 9, 1985) is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. Russell played college football for the LSU Tigers where he finished 21–4 as a starter and was named MVP of the 2007 Sugar Bowl. The Oakland Raiders selected Russell with the first overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft. Russell held out until the Raiders signed him to a contract worth $61 million with $32 million guaranteed. In three seasons with the Raiders, Russell finished 7–18 as a starter before his release on May 6, 2010.
Russell was born in Mobile, Alabama and attended Lillie B. Williamson High School. For all four years under head coach Bobby Parrish, Russell started and never missed a football game. In his freshman year, Russell completed 180-of-324 passes for 2,683 yards and 20 touchdowns as Williamson reached the state championship game. By the next season, Russell had grown to six-foot-three and 185 pounds, had received his first recruiting letters and was becoming more adept with the playbook. Russell passed for 2,616 yards and 20 touchdowns during his sophomore year and led the team to the semifinals.
wn.com/JaMarcus_Russell -
Jan Stenerud
Jan Stenerud (born November 26, 1942) is a former professional football player for the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs (1967–1969), and the NFL's Chiefs (1970–1979), Green Bay Packers (1980–1983), and Minnesota Vikings (1984–1985).
Jan Stenerud was born in Fetsund, in the county of Akershus, Norway. Stenerud came to the United States on a ski jumping scholarship to attend Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. Late in his sophomore year, Stenerud was spotted kicking a football by the college's baseball coach who relayed the news of his abilities to the football coach. He joined the football team and in 1965 kicked a 59-yard field goal, then a college football record, against the rival Montana Grizzlies. He was recruited to the MSU team by Jim Sweeney.
Stenerud was one of the first professional football players to be used as a dedicated kicker, because of his excellent "sharpshooting" ball-kicking performance. He was one of the first placekickers to use the "soccer style", a technique the Hungarian-born Pete Gogolak had recently introduced in the AFL. During his 3 years in the AFL, Stenerud hit 70% of his field goals, compared with a 53% average for the other kickers in the AFL and NFL.
wn.com/Jan_Stenerud -
Jason Sehorn
Jason Heath Sehorn (born April 15, 1971) is a former professional American football defensive back in the National Football League.
Sehorn was born in Sacramento, California. He played only one year of high school football at Mount Shasta High School in Mount Shasta, California.
Sehorn played his first two years of college football at Shasta College, a junior college in Redding, California, where he was a standout wide receiver, kick returner and punt returner. He then played two years at the University of Southern California where he was moved to the safety position due to an abundance of talent at the wide receiver position. Sehorn was drafted in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft by the New York Giants.
Sehorn spent most of his career playing the cornerback position for the New York Giants. During his time with the Giants, Sehorn received some notability for being the only white starting cornerback in the NFL. Upon his release, Sehorn signed with the St. Louis Rams as a safety. He did not play during the 2004 season, however, as his contract with the Rams was terminated after he failed a physical examination.
wn.com/Jason_Sehorn -
Jay Berwanger
John Jacob "Jay" Berwanger (March 19, 1914 – June 26, 2002) was an American football halfback born in Dubuque, Iowa. He was the first winner of the Downtown Athletic Club Trophy in 1935 (the following year the award was renamed the Heisman Trophy); the trophy is awarded annually to the nation's most outstanding college football player. Berwanger had been a star at the University of Chicago, where he was known as the "one man football team".
In a 1934 game against the University of Michigan, Berwanger left his mark on Michigan center Gerald Ford in the form of a distinctive scar beneath the future President's left eye. Berwanger also competed in track & field for the University of Chicago, setting a school decathlon record in 1936 that stood until 2007.
In 1936, Berwanger became the first player to be drafted by the National Football League (NFL) in its inaugural draft. The Philadelphia Eagles selected him but did not think they would be able to meet his reported salary demands of $1,000 per game. They traded his negotiating rights to the Chicago Bears for tackle Art Buss. Berwanger initially chose not to sign with the Bears in part to preserve his amateur status so that he could compete for a spot on the U.S. team for the 1936 Summer Olympics in the decathlon.
wn.com/Jay_Berwanger -
Jeff Burris
Jeffrey Lamar Burris (born June 6, 1972) is a former American college and professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons. He he played college football for the University of Notre Dame, and was an All-American. He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 1994 NFL Draft, and he played professionally for the Bills, Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals of the NFL.
Burris was born in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He graduated from Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, where he played for the Northwestern Trojans high school football team.
While attending the University of Notre Dame, Burris played for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team from 1990 to 1993. He was the Irish's primary running back in their goal line jumbo package, rushing for 167 yards on 29 carries and 10 touchdowns and catching one pass for 3 yards and a touchdown. As a senior in 1993, he was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American as a defensive back.
wn.com/Jeff_Burris -
Jeff George
Jeffrey Scott George (born December 8, 1967) is a former American college and professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for thirteen seasons during the 1990s and early 2000s. He played college football for the University of Illinois. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the first overall pick of the 1990 NFL Draft, and also played for the Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins and Seattle Seahawks of the NFL.
George was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended Warren Central High School, where he was awarded the Dial Award for the national high-school scholar-athlete of the year in 1985 and was the first Gatorade National Player of the Year. Collegiately, he attended Purdue University and the University of Illinois.
George transferred after a year at Purdue University because the coach who recruited him, Leon Burtnett, was fired. Burtnett's replacement was Fred Akers, who had been known for his teams that used a run-heavy option type offense that required a more mobile quarterback. He subsequently committed to the University of Miami, but he backed out when coach Jimmy Johnson would not guarantee him a starting job at the passer-rich school. The schoolboy legend from Indianapolis ended up leaving the home-state school and became a Fighting Illini. He stayed at Illinois for two years, leaving with a year of eligibility remaining after being assured he would be drafted in the first five picks of the NFL draft (he was picked No. 1 overall).
wn.com/Jeff_George -
Jeremy Bloom
Jeremy Ryan Bloom is a three-time World Champion, two-time Olympian and eleven-time World Cup gold medalist in freestyle moguls skiing. In 2005, he won a record six straight World Cup events, the most in a single season in the sport's history. He was an All-American football player at the University of Colorado and has played professional American football as a wide receiver and return specialist in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers. In January 2008, Bloom founded the Wish of a Lifetime Charity, which grants lifelong wishes to 80, 90, & 100+ year old people (Seniorwish.org).
In April 2010, Bloom co-founded the internet company Integrate.com. On December 14, 2010 The Foundry Group invested $4.25 million into the start-up and on June 21, Integrate was named as the "Best New Company" at the 2011 American Business Awards in New York City. In March 2012, Integrate.com received an $11 million investment from Comcast Ventures and Liberty Global.
wn.com/Jeremy_Bloom -
Jerome Bettis
Jerome Abram "The Bus" Bettis (born February 16, 1972) is a retired American football halfback who played for the NFL's Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers. Bettis is considered one of the best big backs ever because of his footwork and power, and is currently sixth on the National Football League's all-time rushing list. He retired in 2006 after a Super Bowl victory at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, his city of birth.
Bettis was born February 16, 1972, in Detroit, Michigan. He is the youngest of three children of Gladys Elizabeth (née Bougard) and Johnnie E. Bettis. Bettis did not start playing football until high school, as his primary passion as a youth had been bowling. He attended Mackenzie High School in Detroit, where he was a standout running back and linebacker. As a senior, he was rated the top player in the state by the Detroit Free Press, and was the Gatorade Circle of Champions Player of the Year award winner.[citation needed]
At the University of Notre Dame, Bettis finished his career with 337 rushing attempts for 1912 yards (5.7 yards per rushing attempt avg.), and made 32 receptions for 429 yards (13.4 yards per reception). In his last game as a junior, a 28-3 win by Notre Dame over Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl, he rushed 20 times for 75 yards.
wn.com/Jerome_Bettis -
Jerry LeVias
Jerry LeVias was the first African-American scholarship athlete and second African-American football player in the Southwest Conference.
Born in Beaumont, Texas, LeVias played quarterback for Hebert High School. LeVias was listed as 5'9" and 177 pounds, (but actually measured closer to 5'7" and 140 pounds out of high school) but made up for his size with great speed.
He was recruited to the Southern Methodist University in the spring of 1965 by Coach Hayden Fry. LeVias had over a hundred scholarship offers, but none from the traditional historically black college football powers he expected to play for (like Grambling, Alcorn St., Southern, Prairie View etc.) He was deemed too small by those schools to be offered a football scholarship. Coach Fry saw in LeVias the character, academic potential and skill that would be needed to successfully integrate the Southwest Conference. LeVias had to first win over his freshman football teammates, and that became one of his biggest challenges for this civil rights pioneer. His success, on and off the field, led to a highly anticipated varsity debut in 1966, and quickly became one of the most exciting players in the nation on the conference-champion Mustangs. This first campaign on the varsity squad, LeVias led SMU to their first Cotton Bowl appearance since Heisman winner Doak Walker suited up for the Mustangs, almost two decades earlier. LeVias' touchdowns against rivals Texas, Baylor, Texas A&M and TCU saw the Mustangs earn the conference title in often dramatic fashion. Once LeVias demonstrated his ability on and off the field, Darrell Royal, head coach at the conference power Texas, quipped that Levias no longer looked too small. Speaking with LeVias' high school coach, Royal said, "Well, he didn't sound very big then when you described him, but he looks plenty big to me now." Texas had passed over LeVias, not only due to his size, but because Texas would not integrate until after their National Championship in 1969.
wn.com/Jerry_LeVias -
Jerry Rice
Jerry Lee Rice (born October 13, 1962) is a retired American football wide receiver. He is widely considered to be the greatest wide receiver of all time and is considered by many to be the best NFL player to ever play football. On November 4, 2010, Rice was chosen by NFL Network's NFL Films production The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players as the greatest player in NFL history.
The all-time leader in most major statistical categories for wide receivers and the all-time NFL leader in touchdowns scored with 208, Rice was selected to the Pro Bowl 13 times (1986–1996, 1998, 2002) and named All-Pro 12 times in his 20 NFL seasons. He won three Super Bowl rings playing for the San Francisco 49ers and an AFC Championship with the Oakland Raiders.
Jerry Rice was born and raised in Starkville, Mississippi, as the son of a brick mason. He developed his hands while working for his father. His speed also helped him excel in football in high school. He enjoyed watching football on television.
According to his book "Rice" (written with Michael Silver), the school's principal tracked him down for skipping class, but when he called his name the startled Rice sprinted off running. After seeing him run, the principal decided to let him join the football team or be punished. Jerry decided upon football and the principal told the school's football coach about his speed. The truthfulness of this story has been questioned.
wn.com/Jerry_Rice -
Jerry Richardson
Jerry Richardson (born July 11, 1936 in Spring Hope, North Carolina) is the current majority owner and founder of the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League.
After a brief playing career with the Baltimore Colts, Richardson opened the first Hardee's franchise in 1961 under Spartan Foods. The business expanded rapidly, under his hands-on management style. He later rose to CEO of Flagstar, controlling 2,500 restaurants and 100,000 employees, and retired in 1995.
A lifelong resident of the Carolinas, Richardson's dream was to bring NFL football to his home region.
On October 26, 1993, Richardson became the first former NFL player since George Halas to become an owner when the Carolina Panthers were unanimously awarded the NFL's 29th franchise.
Richardson is well known for his calm and businesslike approach, and has played a prominent and respected role in negotiations between the NFL and NFL players.
Richardson was hospitalized in Charlotte at Carolinas Medical Center in early December 2008, one month after receiving a pacemaker. Richardson, who had a history of heart trouble and had undergone quadruple bypass surgery in 2002, was placed on a donor waiting list for a new heart two days later. He received a new heart on February 1, 2009 and he is recovering well from the transplant.
wn.com/Jerry_Richardson -
Jesse Owens
James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens (September 12, 1913 – March 31, 1980) was an American track and field athlete who specialized in the sprints and the long jump. He participated in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, where he achieved international fame by winning four gold medals: one each in the 100 meters, the 200 meters, the long jump, and as part of the 4x100 meter relay team. He was the most successful athlete at the 1936 Summer Olympics, a victory more poignant and often noted because Adolf Hitler had intended the 1936 games to showcase his Aryan ideals and prowess.
The Jesse Owens Award, USA Track and Field's highest accolade for the year's best track and field athlete, is named after him, in honor of his significant career.
James Cleveland Owens was born the seventh of eleven children of Henry Cleveland Owens and Mary Emma Fitzgerald in Oakville, Alabama on September 12, 1913. J.C., as he was called, was nine years old when the family moved to Cleveland, Ohio for better opportunities, as part of the Great Migration, when 1.5 million African Americans left the segregated South. When his new teacher asked his name (to enter in her roll book), he said "J.C.", but because of his strong Southern accent, she thought he said "Jesse". The name took, and he was known as Jesse Owens for the rest of his life.
wn.com/Jesse_Owens -
Jim Bakken
James LeRoy Bakken (born November 2, 1940, Madison, Wisconsin) is a former American football punter and placekicker for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection, and was named by the voters of the Pro Football Hall of Fame to the Professional Football 1960s All Decade Team, which included both NFL and American Football League players. The voters of the Pro Football Hall of Fame also selected Bakken to the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
In 1967, Bakken set the record for most field goals in a game with 7 (out of 9 attempts, also a record). The single-game record for field goals was later tied by Rich Karlis in 1989, Chris Boniol in 1996, and Billy Cundiff in 2003 before Rob Bironas broke it with 8 in a game in 2007.
Before his NFL career, Bakken played football at Madison West High School in Madison, Wisconsin. He went on to play three seasons at the University of Wisconsin, where he played on the 1960 Rose Bowl team as a sophomore and led the Big Ten in punting average in 1960 and 1961. He was named to the Madison (Wisconsin) Sports Hall of Fame in 1984, and was later inducted into the UW Athletic Department-National W Club Hall of Fame. In December 2010, the annual trophy for the Big Ten's best kicker, the "Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year" award, was co-named in his honor.
wn.com/Jim_Bakken -
Jim Brown
James Nathaniel "Jim" Brown (born February 17, 1936) is an American former professional football player who has also made his mark as an actor. He is best known for his exceptional and record-setting nine-year career as a running back for the NFL Cleveland Browns from 1957 to 1965. In 2002, he was named by Sporting News as the greatest professional football player ever. He is considered to be one of the greatest professional athletes the U.S. has ever produced.
James Nathaniel Brown was born to Theresa (a housekeeper) and Swinton Brown (a professional boxer).
At Manhasset Secondary School, Brown earned 13 letters playing football, lacrosse, baseball, basketball and running track. According to the New York Times:
Mr. Brown credits his self-reliance to having grown up on St. Simons's island, an all-black community off the coast of Georgia where he was raised by his grandmother and where racism did not affect him directly. At the age of 8 he moved to Manhasset, N.Y., where his mother worked as a domestic. It was at Manhasset High School that he became a football star and athletic legend.
wn.com/Jim_Brown -
Jim Grabowski
James S.(Wolf)Grabowski (born September 9, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois) is a former American football player and broadcaster. Grabowski played collegiately at the University of Illinois and professionally for the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears, and served as an analyst on University of Illinois football radio broadcasts for nearly 30 years, retiring after the 2006-2007 season.
Grabowski attended the University of Illinois out of Taft High School in Chicago. At Illinois, Grabowski was a star running back, and was named Associated Press All-American in both 1964 and 1965. As a sophomore, Grabowski was named Most Valuable Player of the 1964 Rose Bowl, having led the Fighting Illini to 17-7 victory over the University of Washington. Grabowski received many awards and recognitions after his senior season in 1965, including finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting, being named The Sporting News co-player of the year and Back of the Year by the Washington Touchdown Club, and receiving the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the Big Ten Most Valuable Player. Grabowski finished as the all-time leader in rushing yards in Big Ten history. Grabowski was also an outstanding student at the University of Illinois, having been named GTE Academic All-American in 1964 and 1965, and graduated with a degree in finance in 1966
wn.com/Jim_Grabowski -
Jim Harbaugh
James Joseph "Jim" Harbaugh (pronounced /ˈhɑrbɔː/; born December 23, 1963) is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. Harbaugh agreed to a five-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers on January 7, 2011. Previously, he was the head coach at Stanford University for four seasons and the University of San Diego for three seasons. Harbaugh is also a former NFL quarterback who played for the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, and San Diego Chargers. He was selected by the Bears with the 26th pick in the first round of the 1987 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan. Harbaugh and his older brother, Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh, are the first pair of brothers to serve as head coaches in NFL history.
Harbaugh's father was an assistant coach at Michigan under Bo Schembechler for seven seasons during the 1970s. Jim played for the junior league Ann Arbor Packers, then for Tappan Junior High, and attended Pioneer High School. When his father became defensive coordinator at Stanford for the 1980 season, Jim transferred to Palo Alto High School in California, where he graduated in 1982.
wn.com/Jim_Harbaugh -
Jim Kelly
James Edward Kelly (born February 14, 1960) is a former American football quarterback in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills and the USFL's Houston Gamblers.
Kelly was the third quarterback drafted in the 1983 NFL Draft, the same draft class where John Elway was first overall. Employing the K-Gun offense, known for its hurry up shotgun formations, Kelly lead one of the great NFL scoring juggernauts in the Buffalo Bills. Kelly led the Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls, from 1991 to 1994, but lost all four. In 2002, in his first year of eligibility, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Jim Kelly's number 12 is the only number ever retired in Buffalo Bills history. In 2009, Kelly was elected to the Buffalo Bills 50th Season All-time Team.
Kelly grew up in the small town of East Brady, Pennsylvania, about 55 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. He was a standout at East Brady High School, where during his high school career he won all-state honors after passing for 3,915 yards and 44 touchdowns. After his senior year, Kelly played in the Big 33 Football Classic.
wn.com/Jim_Kelly -
Jim Konstanty
Casimir James "Jim" Konstanty (March 2, 1917 – June 11, 1976) was an American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball and National League Most Valuable Player of 1950. He played for the Cincinnati Reds (1944), Boston Braves (1946), Philadelphia Phillies (1948–1954), New York Yankees (1954–1956) and St. Louis Cardinals (1956). Konstanty batted and threw right-handed.
Konstanty started as a physical education teacher in St. Regis Falls, NY. The son of a farmer, Konstanty starred in sports in high school and also at Syracuse University, where he earned a bachelor of science degree. Jim was a member of the university basketball team from 1936-39.
Konstanty pitched briefly with the Cincinnati Reds in 1944 and Boston Braves in 1946, and spent three seasons in the minors until 1948, when the Phillies called him up. He became a relief specialist who employed a slider and a change-up with great effectiveness.
In 1950, when the Phils "Whiz Kids" won the National League pennant, Konstanty was named the Most Valuable Player; to date, he is the only National League relief pitcher to achieve such an honor. He appeared in 74 games (then a major league record), winning 16 games with a National League leading 22 saves. He made the NL All-Star team and received the AP Athlete of the Year and the TSN Pitcher of the Year awards. In a surprise move, he was named to start Game One of the 1950 World Series against the New York Yankees. Konstanty gave up only four hits in eight innings but lost 1-0, his efforts outdone by Vic Raschi's two-hit shutout.
wn.com/Jim_Konstanty -
Jim Langer
James John Langer (born May 16, 1948 in Little Falls, Minnesota) is a former American football center who played for the National Football League's Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings. He is considered one of the greatest NFL centers of all time and a hard working and quick blocker. Langer was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
Langer played middle linebacker at South Dakota State University, where in 1969 he was Honorable Mention All-America. Langer was signed by the Cleveland Browns as a free agent in 1970, but was cut during training camp. Langer signed as a free agent with the Miami Dolphins where for his first 2 seasons he saw limited action.
Langer became the starter at center in the 1972 season and played in 141 consecutive games over 8 seasons until a knee injury ended his playing days with Miami nine games into the 1979 season. Langer was traded to the Minnesota Vikings prior to the 1980 season, playing 2 seasons with the Vikings before retiring after the 1981 campaign.
wn.com/Jim_Langer -
Jim Lynch
James Robert Lynch (born August 28, 1945 in Lima, Ohio) is a former American football linebacker who spent his entire eleven-year professional career (1967–1977) with the American Football League and National Football League Kansas City Chiefs.
Lynch attended Lima Central Catholic High School in Lima, Ohio and the University of Notre Dame. He led Notre Dame in tackles in 1965 with 108 and in 1966 with 106. He was the defensive captain of the 1966 National Champion Fighting Irish team. Lynch also won the Maxwell Award as the nation's best college football player in 1966. His aunt is named Geneva Jerwers. He is the grandson of George Washington Hahn. His first cousin twice removed is named Lucas Selvidge. He has over 30 first cousins once removed, the grandchildren of his aunt Geneva Jerwers.
From 1967 to 1977, Lynch was a very fine right outside linebacker who could stop the run and defend the pass well, playing alongside middle linebacker Willie Lanier throughout that same 1967-77 span and left outside linebacker Bobby Bell from 1967 to 1974, both "pro football" Hall of Famers. These linebackers were important elements to lead the Chiefs' defense in their 1969 championship season, en route to winning their first and only AFL-NFL World Championship (Super Bowl IV).
wn.com/Jim_Lynch -
Jim Plunkett
James William "Jim" Plunkett (born December 5, 1947) is a former American football quarterback who played college football for Stanford University, where he won the Heisman Trophy, and professionally for three National Football League teams: the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers and Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. He led the Raiders to two Super Bowl victories (XV and XVIII). He is the only eligible quarterback to start (and win) two Super Bowls without being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
Plunkett was born to Mexican American parents with an Irish-German great-grandfather on his paternal side. Plunkett's father was a news vendor afflicted with progressive blindness, who had to support his blind wife along with their three children. In an effort to aid the family's financial situation, Plunkett worked a series of odd jobs while growing up, including serving as a gas station attendant, grocery store clerk and as a laborer on construction sites. In an acknowledgement of his Mexican roots, Plunkett chose the fictional character of Zorro as his hero.[citation needed]
wn.com/Jim_Plunkett -
Jim Ringo
James Stephen "Jim" Ringo (November 21, 1931 – November 19, 2007) was a professional American football player, a Hall of Fame center and coach. He was a ten time Pro Bowler during his career.
Ringo grew up in Phillipsburg, New Jersey and played high school football at Phillipsburg High School. He went on to play college football at Syracuse University.
The Packers drafted him in the seventh round of the 1953 NFL Draft out of Syracuse. Ringo was considered vastly undersized at 211 pounds.
He was not, however, unfit for the role, using his outstanding quickness and excellent technique to build a 15-year NFL career, including 11 seasons with the Packers, as one of the game's best centers.
Ringo played for four different head coaches in his Packers tenure. In his first six seasons in Green Bay, playing under Gene Ronzani (1953), Lisle Blackbourn (1954–57) and Ray "Scooter" McLean (1958), the Packers went 20-50-2 (.291).
But Vince Lombardi's arrival in 1959 changed everything, and for Ringo's next five seasons the Packers went 50-15-1 (.765) and 2-1 in championship games. Ringo certainly knew individual success before the Lombardi era, attending his first of seven straight Pro Bowls in 1957,but he flourished under the coaching legend, earning consensus All-Pro honors from 1959-63.
wn.com/Jim_Ringo -
Jim Ritcher
James Alexander Ritcher (born May 21, 1958) is a former American college and professional football player who was an offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for sixteen seasons during the 1980s and 1990s. Ritcher played college football for North Carolina State University, and received All-American honors. He was picked in the first round of the 1980 NFL Draft, and played professionally for the Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Falcons of the NFL.
Ritcher was born in Berea, Ohio. He attended Highland High School in Medina, Ohio, where he played high school football.
He attended North Carolina State University, and played for the NC State Wolfpack football team from 1976 to 1979. As a senior in 1979, he was a consensus first-team was an All-American and won the Outland Trophy as the nation's best college offensive lineman.
In the National Football League, Richer was moved to guard from center by the Buffalo Bills, for whom he played fourteen seasons. He started in all four Super Bowl appearances of the Bills (Super Bowl XXV, Super Bowl XXVI, Super Bowl XXVII, and Super Bowl XXVIII) and was selected to two Pro Bowls. He finished his career with the Atlanta Falcons.
wn.com/Jim_Ritcher -
Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Kenneth Johnson (born September 17, 1975) is an American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car driver. He currently drives the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports.
Johnson was born in El Cajon, California, and began racing motorcycles at the age of five. After graduating from Granite Hills High School he competed in off-road series. He raced in Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group (MTEG), Short-course Off-road Drivers Association (SODA) and SCORE International, winning rookie of the year in each series. In 1998, Johnson and his team began stock car racing. He moved to the national American Speed Association (ASA) series for late model touring cars, and won another rookie of the year title. In 2000, he switched to the NASCAR Busch Series (now Nationwide Series).
He moved to Hendrick Motorsports in the Sprint Cup Series in 2002. After finishing fifth in the points in his first full season, he was second in 2003 and 2004 and fifth in 2005. Johnson won his first Cup series championship in 2006 and with further wins in 2007, 2008, 2009 and in 2010 became the only driver in NASCAR history to win five consecutive championships. During the 2011 season, Johnson finished sixth in points. Between 2002 and 2012, Johnson has recorded 56 wins, 232 top-tens, and 25 pole positions.
wn.com/Jimmie_Johnson -
Jimmy Gunn
Jimmy Gunn (born November 27, 1948 in Augusta, Arkansas) is a retired American football linebacker in the National Football League.
Gunn played for the Chicago Bears, New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers between 1970 and 1976.
Gunn was an 1969 All-American defensive end at the University of Southern California. Also was All PAC-8, and in USC's Hall of Fame.
In 1969, he teamed with All-Americans Al Cowlings and Charlie Weaver, and the late Tody Smith and Bubba Scott to form a defensive front that powered the Trojans to 10-0-1 record and a win over the University of Michigan in the 1970 Rose Bowl. Coach John McKay credited a six-man front on defense for the victory, big Tony Terry was added to the group known as the "Wild Bunch" consisting of Jimmy Gunn, Charlie Weaver, Al Cowlings, Tody Smith and Bubba Scott. [1]
Gunn prepped at Lincoln High School in San Diego.
wn.com/Jimmy_Gunn -
Joe Bellino
Joseph Michael Bellino (born March 13, 1938) is a former American football halfback in the American Football League for the Boston Patriots. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1960.
Bellino was born in Winchester, Massachusetts, attended the town's public schools, and was a three-sport star at Winchester High School. In baseball he batted well over .400 and was courted by major league teams. The basketball team on which he starred won the state championship his sophomore and junior years. They moved up to the Class A (largest schools) tournament his senior year, where the team's 55 game winning streak came to an end at the hands of much larger B.M.C. Durfee High School of Fall River. He was a dominant halfback on Winchester's outstanding football team, although his senior season was shortened by the 1955 polio epidemic.
During his 1956-57 year at Columbian Academy in Washington D.C., Bellino starred in both football and basketball. On November 25, Bellino scored three touchdowns in Columbian's upset win over the Navy Plebes, 34-33. In the fall of 1957, Bellino entered the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland along with his former high-school teammate, Frank Dattilo. During his freshman year, the Plebes matched up against the Penn State freshmen and their star player Lew Luce. Penn State won the game 23-13 but Bellino took a lateral from his Columbian teammate Harry Dietz, and scored on an 85 yard kickoff return.
wn.com/Joe_Bellino -
Joe Collier
Joel D. Collier (born June 7, 1932) is a former American football coach. He was head coach of the American Football League's Buffalo Bills from 1966 through part of 1968, compiiling a 13–16–1 record.
Collier attended Northwestern University, where he played on the school's football team. In 1952, his junior season, he broke Big Ten Conference records by catching seven touchdown passes and accumulating 650 receiving yards. Following the 1953 college football season, in which he captained the Wildcats, Collier was selected by the New York Giants in the 22nd round of the 1954 NFL Draft. However, Collier decided not to play professional football, instead becoming an assistant coach at Western Illinois University after a three-year stint in the U.S. Army.
After spending two seasons as an assistant coach with the Boston Patriots of the brand new AFL, Collier joined the Buffalo Bills in 1962 and was promoted to head coach in 1966. The Bills' best season under Collier came in his first year, when they won the Eastern Division with a 9–4–1 record, eventually losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFL Championship Game. After coming within one game of an AFL championship, the team slumped to 4–10 in 1967. After a poor performance by the Bills in a 1968 pre-season game, Collier set up a scrimmage for his team. During the practice session, quarterback Jack Kemp broke his right leg, an injury that forced him to undergo season-ending surgery. The Bills fired Collier after a 48–6 loss to the Oakland Raiders in the second week of the regular season.Sports Illustrated opined that "Collier's fate undoubtedly was decided..." by Kemp's injury.
wn.com/Joe_Collier -
Joe DeLamielleure
Joseph Michael DeLamielleure (born March 16, 1951 in Detroit, Michigan) is a former American football offensive lineman who was an All-American at Michigan State. He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 1973 NFL Draft. He won All-Rookie Honors, after finding out a physical condition with his irregular heartbeat was not serious. In 1973 the Buffalo Bills rushing offense led the NFL in yards, yards per carry, as well as rushing touchdowns.
DeLamielleure was perhaps the central figure in the "Electric Company," the Bills' offensive line that paved the way for O.J. Simpson to rush for 2,003 yards in 1973, the first player ever to break that barrier, and the only player ever to do so in a 14-game schedule.
The league leading rushing yardage mark of 3,088 yards is still the 14-game record. Only the 1978 New England Patriots have bettered that mark and did it in 16 games. Individually, O. J. Simpson led the NFL in all four major rushing categories, a "quadruple crown". He also had the longest run in the NFL. The 2003 Yards Simpson rushed for is still the 14 game record (Eric Dickerson, Barry Sanders and Terrell Davis achieved their marks in 16 games). Joe was also on the kickoff return team that blocked for Wallace Francis, who led NFL with 2 TD returns. DeLamielleure played on the wedge of the kickoff return team his entire career in Buffalo.
wn.com/Joe_DeLamielleure -
Joe DiMaggio
Giuseppe Paulo "Joe" DiMaggio (/dɨˈmɑːʒioʊ/ or /dɨˈmædʒioʊ/; November 25, 1914 – March 8, 1999), nicknamed "Joltin' Joe" and "The Yankee Clipper", was an American Major League Baseball center fielder who played his entire 13-year career for the New York Yankees. He is perhaps best known for his 56-game hitting streak (May 15 – July 16, 1941), a record that still stands. DiMaggio was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955.
A three-time MVP winner and 13-time All-Star, DiMaggio is the only player to be selected for the All-Star Game in every season he played. During his thirteen years with the Yankees, the club won ten American League pennants and nine World Series championships.
At the time of his retirement, he ranked fifth in career home runs (361) and sixth in career slugging percentage (.579). He was voted the sport's greatest living player in a poll taken in the baseball centennial year of 1969.
His brothers Vince and Dom also became major league center fielders.
DiMaggio was born in Martinez, California, the eighth of nine children born to immigrants from Italy, Giuseppe (1872–1949) and Rosalia (Mercurio) DiMaggio (1878–1951). He was delivered by a midwife identified on his birth certificate as Mrs. J. Pico. He was named after his father; "Paolo" was in honor of Giuseppe's favorite saint, Saint Paul. The family moved to San Francisco, California, when Joe was a year old.
wn.com/Joe_DiMaggio -
Joe Ferguson
Joseph Carlton Ferguson, Jr. (born April 23, 1950 in Alvin, Texas) is a former American football quarterback in the NFL.
He played high school football in Shreveport, Louisiana for Woodlawn High School, guiding the Knights to the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Class AAA (the top classification at the time) state championship in 1968. Ferguson succeeded Terry Bradshaw as Woodlawn's starting quarterback.
Ferguson played college football at the University of Arkansas, where he still holds the school's single game record for most completions (31 against Texas A&M in 1971) and in that same season was named the Southwest Conference's Offensive Player of the Year.
The Buffalo Bills selected Ferguson in the third round of the 1973 NFL Draft. Although he is most famous for playing with the Bills from 1973 to 1984, Ferguson also played three seasons for the Detroit Lions and two seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and one final season with the Indianapolis Colts.
Ferguson placed in the top 10 in pass attempts five times, completions and passing yards four times, passing touchdowns six times, and yards per pass three times. At one time he shared, with Ron Jaworski, the NFL record for consecutive starts by a quarterback with 107, until he was replaced by Joe Dufek on September 30, 1984. He has a 1-3 record in the NFL postseason, winning against the New York Jets in 1981. His three losses came from the Cincinnati Bengals in those same playoffs, the San Diego Chargers the year before in 1980, playing the entire game against the Chargers with a sprained ankle, and in 1974 to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He retired after the 1990 season after playing only one game with the Colts.
wn.com/Joe_Ferguson -
Joe Louis
Joseph Louis Barrow (May 13, 1914 – April 12, 1981), better known as Joe Louis, was an American professional boxer and the World Heavyweight Champion from 1937 to 1949. He is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. Nicknamed the Brown Bomber, Louis helped elevate boxing from a nadir in popularity in the post-Jack Dempsey era by establishing a reputation as an honest, hardworking fighter at a time when the sport was dominated by gambling interests. Louis' championship reign lasted 140 consecutive months, during which he participated in 27 championship fights, 26 championship fights during his reign; the 27th, against Ezzard Charles, was a challenge to Charles' Heavyweight title and so is not included in Louis' reign. All in all, Joe was victorious in 25 successful title defenses, a record for the heavyweight division. In 2005, Louis was ranked as the #1 heavyweight of all-time by the International Boxing Research Organization, and was ranked #1 on The Ring's list of the 100 Greatest Punchers of All-Time.
wn.com/Joe_Louis -
Joe Montana
Joseph Clifford "Joe" Montana, Jr. (born June 11, 1956), nicknamed Joe Cool, Golden Joe, The Golden Great and Comeback Joe, is a retired professional football player, a hall of fame quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs. Montana started his NFL career in 1979 with San Francisco, where he played for the next 14 seasons. Traded before the 1993 season, he spent his final two years in the league with Kansas City. While a member of the 49ers, Montana started in four Super Bowl games and won all of them. Montana was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000, his first year of eligibility.
In 1989, and again in 1990, the Associated Press named Montana the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP), and Sports Illustrated magazine named Montana the 1990 "Sportsman of the Year". Four years earlier, in 1986, Montana won the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award. Montana was elected to eight Pro Bowls, as well as being voted 1st team All-Pro by the AP in 1987, 1989, and 1990. Montana had the highest passer rating in the National Football Conference (NFC) five times (1981, 1984, 1985, 1987, and 1989); and, in both 1987 and 1989, Montana had the highest passer rating in the entire NFL.
wn.com/Joe_Montana -
Joe Namath
Joseph William "Joe" Namath (/ˈneɪmɨθ/; born May 31, 1943), nicknamed "Broadway Joe" or "Joe Willie", is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the University of Alabama under coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and his assistant, Howard Schnellenberger, from 1962–1964, and professional football in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL) during the 1960s and 1970s. Namath was an American Football League icon and played for that league's New York Jets for most of his professional career but finished his career with the NFL's Los Angeles Rams. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1985.
Namath retired after playing in 143 career games (including play off games) with 68 wins, 71 losses and 4 ties, in his 132 career starts he was 64-64-4, and he was 4-7 coming off the bench in relief. In his career he threw 173 touchdowns, 220 interceptions, and completed 1,886 passes for 27,663 yards. During his thirteen years in the AFL and NFL he played for three division champions (the 1968 and 1969 AFL East Champion Jets and the 1977 NFC West Champion Rams), earned one league championship (1968 AFL Championship), and one Super Bowl victory (Super Bowl III).
wn.com/Joe_Namath -
Joe Scibelli
Joseph Albert Scibelli (April 19, 1939 in Springfield, Massachusetts – December 12, 1991 in Boston, Massachusetts) is a former American football tackle and guard who played fifteen seasons in the National Football League with the Los Angeles Rams.
He helped the Rams win the 1967 and 1969 NFC Coastal Division and the 1973-75 NFC West.
During his tenure with the Rams they led the NFL in scoring in 1967 and 1973, total yards gained in 1973 and the NFC in yards rushing in 1973.
He died in 1991 of cancer at the New England Baptist Hospital.
wn.com/Joe_Scibelli -
Joe Theismann
Joseph Robert "Joe" Theismann (born September 9, 1949) is a former quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He achieved his most enduring fame in his 12 seasons playing for the Washington Redskins, where he was a two-time Pro Bowler and quarterback of the winning team in Super Bowl XVII. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003.
Following his retirement from football, Theismann began a career as a sportscaster. He now works for the NFL Network, as a color analyst on Thursday Night Football, joining play-by-play voice Bob Papa and Matt Millen. He also co-hosts the network's weekly show Playbook.
Theismann was born to Austrian Joseph John Theismann who "ran a gas station and worked in his brother’s liquor store." His Hungarian mother, Olga Tobias, worked for Johnson & Johnson until her retirement. Theismann was raised in South River, New Jersey, and attended South River High School, where he lettered in baseball, basketball, and football.
wn.com/Joe_Theismann -
Joe Torre
Joseph Paul Torre ( /ˈtɔri/; born July 18, 1940) is an American former professional baseball player and manager. A nine-time All-Star, he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, first baseman and a third baseman for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, and the St. Louis Cardinals. After his retirement as a player, he later managed all three teams.
Torre managed the New York Yankees from 1996 to 2007. The Yankees reached the post season each year and won ten American League East Division titles, six American League pennants, four World Series titles, and compiled a .605 winning percentage overall. With 2,326 wins, he is currently ranked 5th on the list of Major League Baseball all-time managerial wins.
Torre followed in his brother Frank's footsteps when he was signed by the Milwaukee Braves as an amateur free agent in 1960. In his first season in the minor leagues with the Class A Eau Claire Braves, he won the 1960 Northern League batting championship with a .344 batting average. Torre made his major league debut late in the season on September 21, 1960. He was assigned to the Triple A Louisville Colonels for the 1961 season where, the Braves had planned to groom him as the eventual successor to their All-Star catcher, Del Crandall. However, those plans were changed when Crandall injured his throwing arm in May 1961, forcing the Braves to promote Torre to the major leagues with just over a year of minor league experience. Torre rose to the occasion, hitting for a .278 batting average with 21 doubles and 10 home runs. He finished the season ranked second to Billy Williams in the 1961 National League Rookie of the Year voting.
wn.com/Joe_Torre -
John Brockington
John Stanley Brockington (born September 7, 1948 in Brooklyn, New York) is a former American football running back. He was the National Football League's Green Bay Packers' 1st round draft choice out of the Ohio State University, and was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1971.
Brockington played halfback and fullback for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1968 to 1970. He was one of the so-called Super Sophomores who led the Buckeyes to an undefeated season and a consensus national championship in 1968. Brockington and the other Super Sophomores finished their college careers with a record of 27-2.
Brockington played at the left halfback position in 1968 and 1969, used primarily as a blocker for fullback Jim Otis and quarterback Rex Kern. In 1970 Brockington moved to the fullback position and was the featured running back in head coach Woody Hayes' offense. Brockington finished his senior season with 1,142 rushing yards, which was at the time an Ohio State single-season record.
Brockington was selected into the Ohio State Football All-Century Team in 2000, and was elected into the Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame in 2002.
wn.com/John_Brockington -
John Brodie
John Riley Brodie (born August 14, 1935) is a former professional American football quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, and had a second career as a Senior PGA Tour professional golfer.
Brodie was born in San Francisco, California. He grew up in the Montclair district of Oakland and attended Montclair Grammar (later Elementary) School and Oakland Technical High School, where he was a standout athlete. Brodie went on to attend Stanford University, where he was admitted to the Zeta Psi fraternity. He was selected as a consensus All-America in 1956, his senior year.
Brodie first appeared with the 49ers as a rookie in 1957, seeing limited action. He got more playing time in 1958 through 1960, sharing time with Y.A. Tittle; he became the starter in 1961 (Tittle was traded to the New York Giants), and continued in that role through 1973.
He was among the leading passers in the league throughout the 1960s. His best statistical year was 1965 when he led the League in passing yardage (3,112 yards) and passing touchdowns (30). He appeared in the Pro Bowl in 1965 and 1970. Also, in 1970, he received the NFL's Most Valuable Player Award. When Brodie retired from the NFL, he ranked third in career passing yards, behind only Johnny Unitas and Fran Tarkenton.
wn.com/John_Brodie -
John Cappelletti
John Cappelletti (born August 9, 1952) is a former professional American football running back for the NFL's Los Angeles Rams and the San Diego Chargers. Prior to his professional career, he attended the Pennsylvania State University, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1973. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993. Penn State football coach Joe Paterno said that Cappelletti was "the best football player I ever coached".
Cappelletti attended Monsignor Bonner High School in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. As a senior tailback at Penn State, he gained 1,522 yards on 286 carries scoring 17 touchdowns as the Nittany Lions rolled to an undefeated season. He was awarded the 1973 Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, the UPI College Football Player of the Year, the Walter Camp Award, the Chic Harley Award, as well as receiving All-America honors. In his two-year running career, he gained 100 yards in thirteen games and had a career total of 2,639 yards and twenty-nine touchdowns for an average of 120 yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry. Cappelletti's Heisman acceptance speech, where he dedicated his award to his dying brother Joey, is one of the most memorable in the history of college sports.
wn.com/John_Cappelletti -
John David Crow
John David Crow (born July 8, 1935, in Marion in Union Parish, Louisiana) was the Heisman Trophy winner and halfback from Texas A&M University in 1957. He was not one of the "Junction Boys," since he was a freshman in the 1954 season and thus ineligible to play under NCAA rules at the time, but played for Bear Bryant at Texas A&M and later played professional football for the Chicago & St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers between 1958 and 1968. Crow received the annual "Len Eshmont Award" on two occasions, 1966 and 1967. This award is voted by the players and given to the 49er who best exemplifies the “inspirational and courageous play” of Len Eshmont.
A street on the campus of Texas A&M University adjacent to Kyle Field is named after him.
Crow grew up in Springhill in northern Webster Parish near the Arkansas state line. He graduated in 1953 from Springhill High School.
In 1956, Crow was part of the first Aggie football team to beat the University of Texas at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
wn.com/John_David_Crow -
John Didion
John Lawrence Didion (born October 24, 1947 in Woodland, California) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and New Orleans Saints from 1969 to 1974. He played college football at Oregon State University and was drafted in the seventh round of the 1969 NFL Draft.
From 1998 to 2010, Didion was the sheriff of Pacific County, Washington.
wn.com/John_Didion -
John Elway
John Albert Elway, Jr. (born June 28, 1960) is a former American football quarterback and currently is the executive vice president of football operations for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Stanford and his entire professional career with the Denver Broncos. Elway recorded the most victories by a starting quarterback at the time of his retirement. He retired in 1999 and statistically was the second most prolific passer in NFL history. Elway led his teams to six AFC Championship Games and five Super Bowls, winning his last two.
Elway set several career records for passing attempts and completions while at Stanford. He also received All-American honors. Elway was drafted #1 overall in the 1983 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts before being traded to the Denver Broncos. In 1987, he embarked on what is considered to be one of the most clutch and iconic performances in sports and in NFL history, helping engineer the Broncos on a 98-yard, game-tying touchdown drive in the AFC Championship Game against the Cleveland Browns. The moment is known in National Football League lore as "The Drive". Following the AFC Championship Game, Elway and the Broncos lost in Super Bowl XXI to the New York Giants. It would be the first of a record five Super Bowl starts at quarterback in Elway's career, a record that he solely held until 2012 when Tom Brady earned his fifth Super Bowl start.
wn.com/John_Elway -
John Fina
John Joseph Fina (born March 11, 1969 in Rochester, Minnesota) is a former American football offensive lineman, who spent eleven years in the National Football League, ten of those with the Buffalo Bills, and a one-year stint with the Arizona Cardinals. Fina attended Salpointe Catholic High School were he was first team All-State his senior year, and is one of only two players in school history to have their jersey retired. Fina attended the University of Arizona where he was a brother of Sigma Phi Epsilon. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 1st round, 27th overall, in the 1992 NFL Draft. He has played in two Super Bowls, XXVII and XXVIII, however the Bills lost both of them to the Dallas Cowboys. He now resides in Tucson, Arizona.
On April 6, 2010, Fina appeared on the Travel Channel's show Food Wars as one of the guest judges. The food war was over the Sonoran hot dog and was between "BK's Carne Asada & Hot Dogs" and "El Güero Canelo". Both restaurants are located in Tucson, Arizona. BK's won the food war by a score of 4-1 with Fina voting for BK's hot dog.
wn.com/John_Fina -
John Gilliam
John Rally Gilliam (born August 7, 1945 in Greenwood, South Carolina) was an American football wide receiver.
Gilliam was a receiver out of South Carolina State University, and was drafted in the second round by the expansion New Orleans Saints. He played his first two seasons in New Orleans, and then had stints with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1969 to 1971, the Minnesota Vikings from 1972 to 1975, the Atlanta Falcons in 1976, and brief stints with the Chicago Bears and back in New Orleans for 1977. Gilliam played in 2 Super Bowls with the Vikings, Super Bowl VIII and Super Bowl IX. He was elected to the Pro Bowl all four years while he was with Minnesota.[1]
In 1972, Gilliam led the NFL in yards per catch (22) and finished 2nd in receiving yards (1,035) and receiving yards per game (73.9). In 1973, he again finished 2nd in receiving yards (907) and receiving yards per game (64.8) and was named 1st Team All-Pro by the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) and 2nd Team All-Pro by the Associated Press (AP) and the Pro Football Writers Association (PFWA). He was also named 1st Team All-NFC by The Sporting News and UPI in 1973.
wn.com/John_Gilliam -
John Hadl
John Willard Hadl (born February 15, 1940) is a former collegiate and professional football player.
Hadl was born in Lawrence, Kansas. After playing halfback on both offense and defense at the University of Kansas as a sophomore, Hadl played quarterback for his last two years at Kansas, and was selected as the school's Player of the Century. He was an All American at running back in 1960 and at quarterback in 1961. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994.
Hadl was the first KU player to be picked twice for All-America (1960 and 1961) honors for his skills as a quarterback and half back. Hadl also excelled as a defensive back, and punt returner and punter; he led the country with a 45.6-yard average in 1959. Hadl's No. 21 jersey is one of only three KU has retired. Hadl, who was picked for the all-conference team for three seasons, wound up with 1,281 yards passing and 1,016 yard rushing. Hadl still holds two KU records: Longest interception return, a 98-yard run against TCU; and longest punt, 94 yards vs. Oklahoma.
wn.com/John_Hadl -
John Huarte
John Gregory Huarte (born April 6, 1944) is a former American football quarterback and the 1964 Heisman Trophy winner.
Huarte played for the University of Notre Dame after graduating from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California. During his sophomore and junior years at Notre Dame, he played for only a few minutes per game. As a senior, however, he became the starting quarterback as the Fighting Irish won all but one game during the 1964 season, in which he was selected as an All-American and won the Heisman Trophy. By the end of the season, Huarte threw for 2,062 yards with only 205 passes, an average of over ten yards per pass attempt.
Huarte was drafted in 1965 by the American Football League's New York Jets and by the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles. He signed with the Jets, but was beaten out for the starting position by fellow-rookie, Alabama's Joe Namath, who had finished the 1964 season 11th ranked in the Heisman voting. The AFL Jets thus signed both the Heisman Trophy winner and the Alabama star away from the NFL. Prior to the 1966 season he was traded by the Jets to the Boston Patriots for the draft rights to Wichita State University linebacker/center Jim Waskiewicz. Subsequently Huarte did see action as a back-up quarterback for several other professional teams from 1966-1972. He played his final two seasons of professional football as the starting quarterback of the Memphis Southmen of the World Football League.
wn.com/John_Huarte -
John Matuszak
John Daniel "Tooz" Matuszak (October 25, 1950 – June 17, 1989) was an American football defensive lineman in the National Football League who later became an actor. He was the first draft pick of 1973 and played most of his career with the Oakland Raiders until he retired after winning his second Super Bowl in 1981. Matuszak participated in the 1978 World's Strongest Man competition, where he placed ninth. As an actor, he is probably most remembered as deformed Sloth in the 1985 movie The Goonies and Tonda in Caveman. His autobiography, Cruisin' with the Tooz, written with Steve Delsohn was published in 1987.
Matuszak was born in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, in 1950 to Audrey and Marvin Matuszak (not the same Marvin Matuszak who was a defensive lineman in the NFL and AFL). He was always big for his age, which became an advantage as a defensive lineman in football. When he eventually turned pro, he stood 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m) and weighed over 280 pounds (127 kilograms). He attended the University of Tampa where he was the star of their football team (incidentally, the football program at the University of Tampa ended after the 1974 season).
wn.com/John_Matuszak -
John McCargo
John McCargo (born August 19, 1983) is an American football defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at North Carolina State.
McCargo has also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Many draft experts considered McCargo a late-2nd or early-3rd round pick before the 2006 NFL Draft. Because of this, many people were shocked when the Bills traded up to select him 26th overall.
McCargo spent most of the 2006 season on injured reserve. He passed out at training camp his rookie season, mainly because he had to run difficult drills in hot weather at his 300-pound frame. He was the second string defensive tackle behind Larry Tripplett in 2007, and played in all 16 games.
On October 14, 2008, McCargo was traded to the Indianapolis Colts. The trade was voided and he was returned to the Bills the following day after McCargo failed his physical.
McCargo signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 20, 2011. He was waived on September 2.
wn.com/John_McCargo -
John McEnroe
John Patrick McEnroe, Jr. (born February 16, 1959) is a former world no. 1 professional tennis player from the United States. During his career, he won seven Grand Slam singles titles (three at Wimbledon and four at the US Open), nine Grand Slam men's doubles titles, and one Grand Slam mixed doubles title. McEnroe also won a record eight season ending championships, comprising five WCT Finals titles and three Masters Grand Prix titles from twelve final appearances at these two events, a record he shares with Ivan Lendl. He posted the best single season win-loss record in the Open Era in 1984 at 96.47% (82/3). In addition he won 19 Championship Series top tier events of the Grand Prix Tour that were the precursors to the current Masters 1000.
He is best remembered for his shot-making artistry and superb volleying; for his famous rivalries with Björn Borg, Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl; for his confrontational on-court behavior which frequently landed him in trouble with umpires and tennis authorities; and for the catchphrase "You cannot be serious!" directed toward an umpire during a match at Wimbledon in 1981. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1999, and is regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
wn.com/John_McEnroe -
John Rauch
John "Johnny" Rauch (August 20, 1927 – June 10, 2008) was an American football player and coach. He was head coach of the Oakland Raiders in the team's loss to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl II in 1968.
Rauch's football playing career almost ended before it began. At the age of 14, he was diagnosed with a heart murmur and instructed to give up the sport. Ignoring the dire warnings, Rauch was a three-sport star at Yeadon High School, then put together an outstanding college football career. Earning the starting quarterback slot for the University of Georgia as a true freshman in 1945, he led the Bulldogs to a 36-8-1 record. Included in these victories are four straight bowl game appearances, as well as an undefeated record in 1946. On an individual level, he won first team All American accolades following his senior year, and left the school as college football's all-time passing leader with 4,044 yards.
Rauch was drafted by the Detroit Lions, as the number two pick in the 1949 NFL Draft, but then sent to the transplanted New York Bulldogs in exchange for the rights to Southern Methodist University's Doak Walker. During his first season with the Bulldogs in 1949, Rauch saw action on both sides of the ball, throwing for 169 yards and one touchdown, while also intercepting two passes. The following year, he saw action in eight contests, throwing for 502 yards and six touchdowns, then split time with New York and the Philadelphia Eagles in 1951, combining for 288 yards and one touchdown pass. In 1952, rather than accept a trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers to become a player/coach, he accepted an offer from University of Florida Coach Bob Woodruff to join his staff in Gainesville.
wn.com/John_Rauch -
John Riggins
Robert John Riggins, nicknamed "The Diesel", (born August 4, 1949) is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the New York Jets and Washington Redskins. Riggins was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
Riggins was born in Seneca, Kansas and attended Centralia High School in Centralia, Kansas. While there, he was a three-sport athlete, earning high school All-American recognition in football, all-state honors in basketball and twice winning the Class B 100-yard dash state title.
Riggins' high school is now located on John Riggins Avenue, which runs through a main part of Centralia.
Riggins attended and played college football at the University of Kansas for the Jayhawks, where he was an All-American and two-time All-Big Eight Conference first-team selection. Riggins led the Jayhawks to a Big Eight Conference championship win in 1968. The team then went to the 1969 Orange Bowl, which they lost to Pennsylvania State University, 15-14.
During his senior season in 1970, Riggins rushed for 1,131 yards and scored a then school-record 14 touchdowns. He finished his career with 2,659 rushing yards, which broke Gale Sayers's career rushing record for the school (now ranked fifth for Kansas' all-time rushing leaders and 14th for total yards).
wn.com/John_Riggins -
John Wooden
John Robert Wooden (October 14, 1910 – June 4, 2010) was an American basketball player and coach. Nicknamed the "Wizard of Westwood", he won ten NCAA national championships in a 12-year period—seven in a row—as head coach at UCLA, an unprecedented feat. Within this period, his teams won a record 88 consecutive games. He was named national coach of the year six times.
As a player, Wooden was the first to be named basketball All-American three times and he won a national championship at Purdue. Wooden was named a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player (inducted in 1961) and as a coach (in 1973), the first person ever enshrined in both categories. Only Lenny Wilkens and Bill Sharman have since had the same honor.
He was one of the most revered coaches and was beloved by his former players, among them Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton. Wooden was renowned for his short, simple inspirational messages to his players, including his "Pyramid of Success". These often were directed at how to be a success in life as well as in basketball.
wn.com/John_Wooden -
John Zook
John Zook (born September 24, 1947 in Garden City, Kansas). Attended and played high school football at Larned, Kansas. He was a defensive end who played 12 seasons in the National Football League for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Atlanta Falcons. Zook played college football for the University of Kansas.
Zook was a three-year letterman, was picked twice for all-conference honors, anchoring one of the top defensive units ever taking the field at KU. He was an honorable mention All-American in 1967 and was a consensus All-America honors as the Jayhawks' defensive standout on the 1968 Orange Bowl-bound team, the year KU was named No. 6 by the Associated Press. Zook had 202 total tackles during his career, putting him at No. 4 on KU's all-time defensive line list. KU Coach Pepper Rodgers said Zook "never played but full speed from snap one to snap hundred. He was the most full-speed player on every snap that you could imagine." He was also chosen the KU All-Time team by the Lawrence Journal-World.
wn.com/John_Zook -
Johnnie Cochran
Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. (October 2, 1937 – March 29, 2005) was an American lawyer best known for his leadership role in the defense and criminal acquittal of O. J. Simpson for the murder of his former wife Nicole Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.
Cochran also represented Sean Combs (during his trial on gun and bribery charges), Michael Jackson, rapper Tupac Shakur, actor Todd Bridges, football player Jim Brown, rapper Snoop Dogg, former heavyweight Champion Riddick Bowe,1992 Los Angeles riot beating victim Reginald Oliver Denny, and Geronimo Pratt.
He also represented athlete Marion Jones when she faced charges of doping during her high school track career. Cochran was known for his skill in the courtroom and his prominence as an early advocate for victims of police brutality.
Johnnie L Cochran, Jr. ("L" was his full middle name) was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. His father, Johnnie Cochran, Sr., was an insurance salesman, and his mother sold Avon products. The family relocated to the West Coast and settled in Los Angeles in 1949. Cochran later graduated first in his class from Los Angeles High School in 1955. He went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1959 and his Juris Doctor at Loyola Marymount University School of Law (now Loyola Law School) in 1962. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
wn.com/Johnnie_Cochran -
Johnny Lattner
John Joseph "Johnny" Lattner (born October 24, 1932) is a former American football player in the United States. He was a halfback for the University of Notre Dame where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1953, and won the Maxwell Award twice, in 1952 and 1953.
In 1954, Lattner and was drafted in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, but played with them for only one season before entering the United States Air Force. There, during a football game, he suffered a severe knee injury that prevented him from ever playing professional football again.
Lattner attended Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois. An Oak Park resident for most of his life, he currently lives in Melrose Park and resides in Anna Maria Island, Florida during the winter months.
Lattner is a routine participant in the Chicago Saint Patrick's Day Parade.
At halftime during Fenwick's 2007 Game vs. Hubbard at Soldier Field, Lattner's #34 Jersey was retired.
Notre Dame
wn.com/Johnny_Lattner -
Johnny Lujack
John Christopher Lujack, Jr. (pronounced Lu' jack; born January 4, 1925) is a former American football quarterback and 1947 Heisman Trophy winner.
He played college football for the University of Notre Dame, and professionally for the Chicago Bears. Lujack was the first of several successful quarterbacks who hailed from Western Pennsylvania. Others include Pro Football Hall of Fame members Johnny Unitas, Joe Namath, Dan Marino, Jim Kelly, Joe Montana and George Blanda.
Lujack was born to Alice and John, Sr., in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, the youngest of four sons and fifth child in a family of six children. The family, which included older siblings Valentine ("Val"), Stanley ("Stan"), Victoria, Aloysius ("Allie"), and younger sister Dolorous, is of Polish descent. His father, John, Sr., worked for the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad for thirty years as a boiler-maker.
He was on the Connellsville High School football team from 1939 to 1941, and was also senior class president and valedictorian. He lettered in four sports; baseball, football, basketball, and track, in high school.
wn.com/Johnny_Lujack -
Johnny Majors
Johnny Majors (born May 21, 1935) is a former American football player and coach. A standout halfback at the University of Tennessee, he was an All-American in 1956 and a two-time winner of the Southeastern Conference Most Valuable Player award, in 1955 and 1956. He finished second to Paul Hornung in voting for the Heisman Trophy in 1956. Majors served as the head football coach at Iowa State University (1968–1972), the University of Pittsburgh (1973–1976, 1993–1996), and Tennessee (1977–1992), compiling a career college football record of 185–137–10. His 1976 Pittsburgh squad won a national championship after capping a 12–0 season with a victory in the Sugar Bowl. Majors was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1987.
Majors played high school football for the Huntland Hornets of Franklin County, Tennessee. They won the state championship in 1951. Majors' father, Shirley Majors, was the head coach at Huntland from 1949 to 1957 and then head coach at The University of the South, Sewanee, from 1957 to 1977. Majors also played alongside his brother, Joe, at Huntland. Another brother, Bobby, also played at Tennessee and professionally for the Cleveland Browns. In all, Majors had four brothers, who all played football. Johnny was the oldest.
wn.com/Johnny_Majors -
Johnny Rodgers
Johnny Steven Rodgers (born July 5, 1951) is a former American college football player voted the University of Nebraska's "Player of the Century" and the winner of the 1972 Heisman Trophy.
Nicknamed "The Jet" for his rapid acceleration and speed on the field, Rodgers was voted high school athlete of the year as a player for Omaha's Tech High.
As a player with the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers, Rodgers served as a punt return specialist, pass receiver, and running back. Rodgers broke virtually every offensive team record, was twice named to the College Football All-America Team and won the Walter Camp Award and the Heisman Trophy in 1972 for most outstanding player in college football in the United States.
In his three years with the Cornhuskers, the versatile Rodgers established an all-purpose NCAA yardage record of 5,586. Former Nebraska coach Tom Osborne, who served as Nebraska's offensive coordinator in the early 1970s, wrote in his 1985 book More Than Winning that Rodgers had the greatest ability to return punts of any player he ever saw. Likewise, College Football News has described him as "the greatest kick returner in college football history." Rodgers returned seven punts and nine kickoffs for touchdowns in his college career, both NCAA records.
wn.com/Johnny_Rodgers -
Johnny Unitas
John Constantine Unitas ( /juːˈnaɪtɨs/; May 7, 1933 – September 11, 2002), known as Johnny Unitas or "Johnny U", and nicknamed "The Golden Arm", was a professional American football player in the 1950s through the 1970s, spending the majority of his career with the Baltimore Colts. He was a record-setting quarterback, and the National Football League's most valuable player in 1959, 1964 and 1967. His record of throwing a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games (between 1956–1960) remains unsurpassed as of 2011. He was the prototype of the modern era marquee quarterback with a strong passing game, media fanfare and widespread popularity. He has been consistently listed as one of the greatest NFL players of all time.
John Constantine Unitas was born to Lithuanian immigrant parents in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1933, and grew up in the Brookline neighborhood. His father died when Johnny was four years old, and he was raised by his mother, who worked two jobs to support the family. His unusual surname was a result of a phonetic transliteration of a common Lithuanian last name Jonaitis. Attending St Justin's High School in Pittsburgh, Unitas played halfback and quarterback. After high school, Unitas looked for an opportunity to play college football. He was passed over by Notre Dame and Indiana.
wn.com/Johnny_Unitas -
Josh Heupel
Josh Heupel, (born March 22, 1978), is a former American college football player who was a quarterback for the University of Oklahoma. During his college football playing career, he was recognized as a consensus All-American, won numerous awards, and led Oklahoma to the 2000 national championship. Heupel became a coach after his playing career ended, and he is currently co-offensive coordinator for Oklahoma.
Heupel was raised, and played high school football, in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He is married.
His sister, Andrea Heupel, is married to Democratic U.S. politician Dan Boren.
Heupel began his collegiate playing career at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. He redshirted in 1996 and saw action in four games as a freshman in 1997, but he suffered an ACL injury during spring practice in 1998, pushing him down the team's depth chart. He transferred to Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, where he beat out Fred Salanoa as the team's starting quarterback. Heupel passed for 2,308 yards and 28 touchdowns, despite sharing playing time with Salanoa. He held a scholarship offer from Utah State University, but committed to Oklahoma after meeting with Mike Leach, the Sooners' new offensive coordinator.
wn.com/Josh_Heupel -
Kato Kaelin
Brian Jerard "Kato" Kaelin (born March 9, 1959) is an American radio and television personality who gained fame as a witness during the 1994–95 murder trial of O. J. Simpson.
Kaelin was nicknamed "Kato" as a child after the character played by Bruce Lee in the television series, The Green Hornet. He graduated from Nicolet High School in Glendale, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, in 1977. He attended but never graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. During his time at Eau Claire he created his own talk show, Kato and Friends, on the campus television station. Kaelin eventually moved to Hollywood.
Kaelin was "best friends" with actor/comedian Norm Macdonald from mid 2000 to mid 2001 according to Macdonald's The Norm Show co-star Artie Lange. Kaelin was even given a guest role on the show. The two had a falling out which ended their friendship.
He was married to Cynthia Coulter from 1983 to 1989. They have one child.
Kaelin came to notice for his role as a minor witness in the trial of O. J. Simpson for the murders of Simpson's ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. In 1994, Kaelin was staying in a guest house on the Simpson property and was present at the compound on the night of the murder, witnessing some of Simpson's movements before and after the time of the murders. Kaelin's story seemed to contradict Simpson's version of the events on some key points. However, his rambling and inconsistent testimony over four days of the 1995 criminal trial made him a less-than-ideal witness for the prosecution. Prosecutor Marcia Clark had him declared a hostile witness.
wn.com/Kato_Kaelin -
Kay Stephenson
George Kay Stephenson (born December 17, 1944) is a former American college and professional football player and current coach, whose latter career has seen him work in four different professional leagues. Stephenson played quarterback for the American Football League's San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills. He finished his career in the World Football League playing for the Jacksonville Sharks in 1974 before entering the coaching ranks.
Stephenson was born in DeFuniak Springs, Florida in 1944, and grew up in nearby Pensacola. He attended Pensacola High School, and earned All-State accolades as a quarterback for the Pensacola Tigers high school football team. He received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for coach Ray Graves' Florida Gators football team from 1964 to 1966. His arrival on the Florida campus coincided with that of another standout recruit, Steve Spurrier, who proceeded to become the starting quarterback in 1964, and won the Heisman Trophy in 1966. Stephenson remained a backup.
wn.com/Kay_Stephenson -
Kellen Winslow
Kellen Boswell Winslow (born November 5, 1957) is a former American professional football player in the National Football League (NFL). A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he is widely recognized as one of the greatest tight ends in the league's history. Winslow played his entire NFL career from 1979 to 1987 with the San Diego Chargers after being selected in the first round of the 1979 NFL Draft. He played college football for the University of Missouri, where he was a consensus All-American. He was also inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Winslow is currently the athletic director at Central State University.
Winslow did not play high school football until his senior year. Until then, he was a self-described "nerd" who played chess. He was drafted in the first round of the 1979 NFL Draft by the Chargers and played for them until 1987, when he retired from football due to injury. Winslow, as part of Air Coryell, led the NFL in receptions in 1980 and 1981, becoming the first tight end ever to lead the league in receptions in back to back seasons. He also exceeded the 1,000 yards receiving milestone in 3 different seasons, including setting an NFL single season record for receiving yards by a tight end with 1,290 yards in the 1980 season. The record stood until Rob Gronkowski totaled 1,327 in 2011. In a 1981 regular season game, Winslow tied an NFL record by catching five touchdown passes.
wn.com/Kellen_Winslow -
Kelly Gruber
Kelly Wayne Gruber (born February 26, 1962 in Houston, Texas) is a former Major League Baseball third baseman.
Gruber played baseball at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas where his number was later retired. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 1st round (10th pick) of the 1980 amateur draft but did not see time with the team. On December 5, 1983, the Toronto Blue Jays picked him up in the Rule 5 draft. Gruber saw his first Major League action shortly after, playing in his first game on April 20, 1984. Over the next three seasons, he split time between the Majors and the minors, eventually earning an every day spot in the Toronto line-up by 1987. The Toronto media quickly nicknamed him "Xanthos" (meaning blonde) after his long flowing blonde hair. During his stay in Toronto he was voted the city's most eligible bachelor.
On April 16, 1989, Kelly Gruber was the first Blue Jay in history to hit for the cycle when he went 4 for 6 with 6 RBI and 4 runs scored. His cycle occurred in the following order: home run, double, triple, and single. He was told to stop at first for his single even though a double was easily attainable. Gruber had his best season in 1990, hitting .274 with 31 HRs, 118 RBIs and 14 SBs, winning Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards and ending up fourth in MVP balloting that year.
wn.com/Kelly_Gruber -
Ken Dorsey
Kenneth Simon "Ken" Dorsey (born April 22, 1981) is a former football quarterback. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami. A two-time Heisman Trophy finalist at Miami, Dorsey played for the Cleveland Browns from 2006–2008. He is currently a pro scout for the Carolina Panthers.
Dorsey attended Miramonte High School in Orinda, California, and was a letterman in football and basketball. In football, he was a USA Today Honorable Mention All-USA selection. In basketball, he was a two year letterman and as a senior, averaged 10.0 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 steals per game.
While at the University of Miami, Dorsey was known as a consummate winner, leading the Hurricanes to the 2001 national championship and posting a record of 38–2 as the team's starting quarterback. Dorsey also effectively rewrote the school record book, setting career records for total offense (9,486 yards), passing yards (9,565), passing touchdowns (86), pass completions (668), pass attempts (1,153), victories as a starting quarterback (38), winning percentage by a starting quarterback (.974), 200-yard passing performances (31), consecutive passes without an interception (193), consecutive games with a touchdown pass (31), and touchdown passes in a game (5).
wn.com/Ken_Dorsey -
Ken Farragut
Kenneth David Farragut, Jr. (born December 23, 1928 in Ponchatoula, Louisiana) is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League who played for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Farragut played college football at the University of Mississippi, where he was the team captain in 1950. Following his senior season in 1951, he was invited to play in the College All-Star Game in Chicago.
Farragut was drafted in the sixth round (68th overall) of the 1951 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, where he played center from 1951 to 1954. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1953.
Farragut was selected to Ole Miss Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame 1992. He was the recipient of the NFL Alumni Career Achievement Award 1992.
wn.com/Ken_Farragut -
Ken Houston
Kenneth Ray Houston (born November 12, 1944 in Lufkin, Texas) is a former American football defensive back in the American Football League and National Football League. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.
Houston played for the AFL's Houston Oilers from 1967 through 1969, and after the AFL-NFL merger, with the Oilers from 1970 through 1972, then with the Washington Redskins until 1980.
Houston was born in Lufkin, Texas and was the third of four children. His father, Herod, owned a dry cleaning business. Houston attended Dunbar High School where he played basketball and football.
Only one school that recruited Houston after high school was Prairie State College (now Prairie View A&M University).Bishop College initially offered him a scholarship, but then withdrew it (the school had yet to be desegregated).
Houston attended and played college football at Prairie View A & M University. For a short time he was a center, and then became the starting linebacker and was selected All-American in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
wn.com/Ken_Houston -
Ken MacAfee
Kenneth Adams MacAfee, Jr. (born January 9, 1956 in Portland, Oregon), is a former college and professional American football player. He played collegiately at the University of Notre Dame and professionally for the San Francisco 49ers.
MacAfee grew up in Brockton, Massachusetts and was a star as a high school player at Brockton High School. He emerged as a star as a sophomore, and as a junior he led the Brockton Boxers to the first Massachusetts high school scholastic "Super Bowl"—the state championship game, which Brockton won. After the season MacAfee was selected as a First-team All-American.
In his senior season he caught 10 touchdown passes as his school went through a second straight undefeated season, scoring 360 points and allowing only 21 and again heading to the scholastic "Super Bowl." In that game MacAfee caught four passes for 111 yards in a 41-0 win to seal a second consecutive state title. Again, MacAfee was an All-America selection. MacAfee finished his career with 23 touchdown receptions. In his four years at Brockton High School, the team was 33-3-1.
wn.com/Ken_MacAfee -
Ken Stabler
Kenneth "Kenny" "Ken" Michael Stabler (born December 25, 1945 in Foley, Alabama), (a.k.a. "The Snake") is a former American football quarterback in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders (1970–1979), the Houston Oilers (1980–1981), and the New Orleans Saints (1982–1984). He played college football for the University of Alabama.
Stabler became a highly touted football player at Foley High School. He led Foley to a won-loss record of 29–1 over his high school career—the only loss coming against rival Fairhope High School. He was an all-around athlete in high school, averaging 29 points a game in basketball and excelling enough as a left-handed pitcher in baseball to receive minor-league contract offers from the Houston Astros and New York Yankees. During his high school career, he earned his nickname "the Snake" from his coach following a long, winding touchdown run.
Stabler was recruited by legendary head coach Paul "Bear" Bryant at the University of Alabama, joining the team in 1964. Due to NCAA regulations at the time, freshmen were ineligible to play; therefore, Stabler would sit out during the 1964 season. In that season, the Crimson Tide won the National Championship with quarterback Joe Namath.
wn.com/Ken_Stabler -
Kenneth Sims
Kenneth Wayne Sims (born October 31, 1959) is a former American college and professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League for eight seasons during the 1980s. He played college football for the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a two-time consensus All-American. Sims was the first overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft, and played professionally for the New England Patriots of the NFL.
Sims was born in Kosse, Texas. He almost quit football before his college football career even began. In his junior year at Groesbeck High School, Sims quit football. That summer, he realized that football was indeed for him, spent his senior year playing linebacker, fullback and tight end, rather than a tackle.
At the University of Texas, Sims spent his freshmen year learning the basics of the tackle position. He spent his sophomore year behind Steve McMichael and Bill Acker, then became a force his junior year. He made 131 tackles, and was named an All-American. As a senior, in 1981, he was awarded the Lombardi Trophy, becoming the first Longhorn to win it. He was also the 1981 UPI Lineman of the Year and was All-American once again.
wn.com/Kenneth_Sims -
Kent Hull
James Kent Hull (January 13, 1961 – October 18, 2011) was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League and United States Football League, more precisely a center for the New Jersey Generals of the USFL and Buffalo Bills of the NFL.
A native of Greenwood, Mississippi Kent Hull graduated from Mississippi State University. At Mississippi State, Hull earned four football letters as the Bulldogs' center from 1979 to 1982 before going on to star first in the USFL then in the NFL.
Hull was the starting center for the Generals from 1983 to 1985.
As a rookie for the Buffalo Bills in 1986, Hull immediately became their starting center, replacing Will Grant, hunched between 7-year veteran Jim Ritcher at left offensive guard and fellow rookie Will Wolford at right guard for all 16 games, with Hall-of-Famer Jim Kelly as rookie quarterback under first-year head coach Marv Levy. In 1988, the Bills won the AFC east division with a strong offensive line, Hull playing between Ritcher and Tim Vogler at right guard. They beat the Houston Oilers in the divisional round of the 1988–89 NFL playoffs, as Kelly passed for 244 yards and Thurman Thomas rushed for 75 yards in only 7 carries, but lost the AFC championship game to the Cincinnati Bengals. In 1989, the Bills won the AFC east division title again but lost a divisional round match of the 1989–90 NFL playoffs to the Cleveland Browns.
wn.com/Kent_Hull -
Kerry Collins
Kerry Michael Collins (born December 30, 1972) is a former American football quarterback who most recently played for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers with the fifth overall pick of the 1995 NFL Draft, the first choice in the franchise's history. He also played for the New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Titans, and Indianapolis Colts in his 16-year career. He played college football at Penn State. Collins is not officially retired but has no plans to return to the NFL in 2012.
Collins was born in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. He attended Wilson High School in West Lawn, Pennsylvania, and played high school football for the Wilson Bulldogs.
wn.com/Kerry_Collins -
Keyshawn Johnson
Joseph Keyshawn Johnson (born on July 22, 1972) is a former American college and professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for eleven seasons. He played college football for the University of Southern California, and earned All-American honors. The first pick in the 1996 NFL Draft, he played professionally for the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers. He retired from football following the 2006 season, and currently serves as a television broadcaster for sports channel ESPN.
Johnson was born in Los Angeles, California. He attended Susan Miller Dorsey High School in Los Angeles, and played high school football for the Dorsey Dons.
After playing football for two years at West Los Angeles College, Johnson transferred to University of Southern California, where he played for coach John Robinson's USC Trojans football team in 1994 and 1995.
In 1994 he finished with 66 catches for 1,362 yards and 9 TD. In 1995 he finished with 102 catches for 1,434 yards and 7 TD.
wn.com/Keyshawn_Johnson -
Ki Aldrich
Charles Collins "Ki" Aldrich (June 1, 1916 – March 12, 1983) was an American football player. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1960.
Aldrich was born in Rogers, Texas and attended high school in Temple, Texas. He was an All-American center at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. At TCU, he played alongside two legendary quarterbacks — Sammy Baugh and Davey O'Brien. Aldrich's senior year, 1938, the Horned Frogs won the National Championship, finishing 11-0 and winning the Sugar Bowl.
The Chicago Cardinals made Aldrich the first selection in the 1939 NFL Draft, in which his TCU teammates O'Brien and I. B. Hale also were selected in the top ten. He played two seasons for the Cardinals before moving to the Washington Redskins. After two seasons in Washington, he left to serve in the Navy during World War II. He returned to the Redskins in 1945, and retired in 1947.
After retiring from football, Aldirch served as the superintendent at the Lena Pope Orphanage in Ft. Worth, Texas. His first wife was the daughter of the founder. He died March 12, 1983 in Temple, Texas.
wn.com/Ki_Aldrich -
King Hill
Stuart King Hill (born November 8, 1936 in Hamilton, Texas) is a retired American football quarterback in the National Football League who played for the Chicago Cardinals, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Minnesota Vikings. Hill is the Marketing Director at Augusta Pines Golf Club in Spring, Texas.
After attending Brazosport High School in Freeport, Texas, Hill went to Rice University, splitting time as quarterback with Frank Ryan, who would also go on to play in the NFL. At Rice, Hill distinguishing himself as the one who played more often than Ryan.
Hill was the first player selected in the 1958 National Football League draft and spent over thirty-five years in professional football not only as a player, coach and scout, but also as a key figure in the NFL Players Association. Hill served nine years as the players representative and Vice President of the Players Association in 1968 going through the strike and signing the first collective bargaining contract in pro football.
wn.com/King_Hill -
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner (born June 22, 1971) is a former American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League (NFL) teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing college football at Northern Iowa. Warner would go on to be considered one of the best undrafted players of all time, following a 12-year career regarded as one of the greatest stories in NFL history.
Warner first attained stardom while playing for the St. Louis Rams from 1998–2003, where he won two NFL MVP awards in 1999 and 2001 as well as the Super Bowl MVP award in Super Bowl XXXIV. He led the 2008 Arizona Cardinals to Super Bowl XLIII (the franchise's first-ever Super Bowl berth), and owns the three highest single-game passing yardage totals in Super Bowl history. Warner currently holds the seventh-highest career passer rating of all-time (93.7), and the third-highest career completion percentage in NFL history with 65.5%.
wn.com/Kurt_Warner -
Kyle Rote
William Kyle Rote, Sr. (October 27, 1928 – August 15, 2002) was an an All-American running back at Southern Methodist University, Class of 1951, played for 11 years for the New York Giants, 1951-1961. Following his playing career, Rote served as the Giants backfield coach and was sports broadcaster for WNEW radio, NBC, and WNBC New York.
Rote was the son of Jack and Emma Belle (Owens) Rote. His family suffered tragedies during World War II; when he was 16, his mother was killed in a car accident and his older brother Jack was killed on Iwo Jima.
Rote attended Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio, Texas, where he earned All-State honors in both football and basketball, while also being considered one of the region's brightest pro-baseball prospects. He was a running back in football, a guard in basketball, an outfielder in baseball, and a member of the track team.
After graduating from high school in 1947, Rote accepted an athletic scholarship to Southern Methodist University where he became one of the most celebrated collegiate football players in the country. In a historic game in 1949, in a near upset by SMU over Notre Dame, Rote ran for 115 yards, threw for 146 yards and scored all three SMU touchdowns in a 27-20 loss. Rote's performance was voted by the Texas Sportswriters Association as "The Outstanding Individual Performance by a Texas Athlete in the First Half of the 20th Century." Twenty-five years later, Notre Dame made Rote an "Honorary Member" to their Champtionship Team. Rote still holds the National Collegiate record for the longest punt. In the SMU vs. Oregon 1949 Cotton Bowl, Rote, kicking out of his own end zone, had a punt land 84 yards from the line of scrimmage. During his years at SMU, Rote also played varsity baseball and track. In his senior year at SMU, Rote was runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1964.
wn.com/Kyle_Rote -
LaDainian Tomlinson
LaDainian Tramayne Tomlinson (born June 23, 1979) is a free agent American football running back who last played for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Texas Christian University (TCU). He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers fifth overall in the 2001 NFL Draft and spent nine seasons with that team before moving to the Jets as a free agent.
Tomlinson, often referred to by his initials, L. T., has been selected to five Pro Bowls and has been an All-Pro six times. Tomlinson won two rushing titles, in 2006 and 2007, and ranks fifth in career rushing yards. During the 2006 NFL season, he set several records and received numerous honors and awards including the NFL’s Most Valuable Player Award and Associated Press’ Offensive Player of the Year Award.
Tomlinson was born to Loreane Chappelle and Oliver Tomlinson in Rosebud, Texas. His father left the family when Tomlinson was seven years old. Tomlinson did not see his father very often afterwards. His mother worked as a preacher. At age nine, Tomlinson joined the Pop Warner Little Scholars football program and scored a touchdown the first time he touched the ball.
wn.com/LaDainian_Tomlinson -
Lance Alworth
Lance Dwight Alworth (born August 3, 1940) is a former American football wide receiver. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He retired as a player after the 1972 season.
Born in Houston, Alworth was raised in Brookhaven, Mississippi, where he played football at Brookhaven High School before attending the University of Arkansas. While in high school, he earned fifteen letters. Alworth's sister Ann was fast enough in the 50 and 75-yard dash in track to be invited to the Olympic Games trials, though she declined the invitation. After high school, Alworth was offered contracts by New York Yankees and the Pittsburgh Pirates. At Arkansas, the six-foot (1.83 m), 180-pound (82 kg) Alworth was a flanker who led all colleges in punt return yardage in 1960 and 1961. He also was a track star, running the 100 and 200-yard dashes (in 10.6 seconds and 21.2 seconds, respectively) and long jump. Alworth was a three-time Academic All-American, graduating with a degree in marketing as a pre-law student. In 1962, Alworth was on multiple All-American teams: Look magazine, Associated Press, United Press International and Coaches. He is a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Alworth is a member of the University of Arkansas Hall of Honor and the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame; he was named to the University of Arkansas' 1960's All-Decade Team, and the school's All-Century Team in 1994.
wn.com/Lance_Alworth -
Lance Armstrong
Lance Edward Armstrong (born Lance Edward Gunderson on September 18, 1971) is an American former professional road racing cyclist who won the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times after having survived testicular cancer. He is also the founder and chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer research and support. He last rode for UCI ProTeam Team RadioShack, a team he helped found.
In October 1996 he was diagnosed as having testicular cancer with a tumor that had metastasized to his brain and lungs. His cancer treatments included brain and testicular surgery and extensive chemotherapy, and his prognosis was originally poor. He went on to win the Tour de France each year from 1999 to 2005, and is the only person to win seven times having broken the previous record of five wins shared by Miguel Indurain, Bernard Hinault, Eddy Merckx, and Jacques Anquetil.
In 1999, he was named the ABC Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Year. In 2000 he won the Prince of Asturias Award in Sports. In 2002, Sports Illustrated magazine named him Sportsman of the Year. He was also named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the years 2002–2005. He received ESPN's ESPY Award for Best Male Athlete in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006, and won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Overseas Personality Award in 2003. Armstrong announced his retirement from racing on July 24, 2005, at the end of the 2005 Tour de France but returned to competitive cycling in January 2009 and finished third in the 2009 Tour de France. He confirmed he had retired from competitive cycling for good on February 16, 2011.
wn.com/Lance_Armstrong -
Lance Ito
Lance Allan Ito (born August 2, 1950) is an American Los Angeles County Superior Court judge, best known for his presiding decision during the O. J. Simpson murder trial. He currently hears felony criminal cases at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles. Los Angeles County announced on April 17, 2012 that Ito's courtroom, along with 55 others, will be closed due to budget cuts. Ito will serve as a fill-in judge.
Ito was born to Jim and Toshi Ito. As children, both had been kept in Japanese American internment camps with their families during World War II. Ito attended John Marshall High School, where he was student body president and received the Scholar Athlete award in 1968. He earned his Bachelors Degree with honors from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1972, and his J.D. degree from the University of California, Berkeley's Boalt Hall in 1975. He then joined the Los Angeles district attorney's office in 1977, working in the hardcore gang unit and the organized crime and terror unit, among others.
wn.com/Lance_Ito -
Larry Bird
Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is a former American NBA basketball player and coach. Drafted into the NBA sixth overall by the Boston Celtics in 1978, Bird started at small forward and power forward for thirteen seasons, spearheading one of the NBA's most formidable frontcourts that included center Robert Parish and forward Kevin McHale. Due to chronic back problems, he retired as a player in 1992. Bird was voted to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996 and inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998. He served as head coach of the Indiana Pacers from 1997 to 2000. In 2003, he assumed the role of president of basketball operations for the Pacers, which he currently holds. He is the only person in NBA history to be named Most Valuable Player, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year.
Larry Bird was born in West Baden, Indiana, the son of Georgia (née Kerns) and Claude Joseph "Joe" Bird. He grew up in both West Baden and the adjacent town French Lick, which earned him the nickname "the Hick from French Lick" in his professional basketball career. Bird recalled how his mother would make do on the family's meager earnings: "If there was a payment to the bank due, and we needed shoes, she'd get the shoes, and then deal with them guys at the bank. I don't mean she wouldn't pay the bank, but the children always came first." According to Bird, his being poor as a child "motivates me to this day". He sometimes was sent to live with his grandmother due to the family's struggles. The Bird family's struggle with poverty was compounded by the alcoholism and personal difficulties of Joe Bird, who likely suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder from serving in the Korean War. Joe Bird committed suicide on February 3, 1975, when Larry was 18 years old.
wn.com/Larry_Bird -
Larry Csonka
Larry Richard Csonka (born December 25, 1946) is a former collegiate and professional American football fullback and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
One of six children, Csonka was born in Stow, Ohio where he was raised on a farm by his Hungarian family. He weighed almost ten pounds at birth, 150 pounds at the age of 12, and 220 pounds at the age of 16.
Larry began his football career at Stow High School as the starting tailback on the 1963 Stow Bulldogs squad that won the Metropolitan League of the Akron, Ohio, area championship under coach Dick Fortner. He played for Stow from 1960–1963.
Csonka became a running back by accident. Because of his size, he played defensive end on the varsity team as a sophomore. In the last game that year, he was sent in as a substitute on the kickoff return team. The ball just happened to go to him and he took off running with it. Wrote Csonka,
Even so, the next year Csonka had a tough time before the start of the season convincing his teammates and coaches that he could play running back. They said he was too big and too slow. But he did well in the first game of the season, and from then on no one doubted him.
wn.com/Larry_Csonka -
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Sean Fitzgerald, Jr. (born August 31, 1983) is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL), and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career (76.0 yds/game), behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison. He agreed to an eight year, $120 million contract extension on August 20, 2011. Fitzgerald was drafted third overall in the 2004 NFL Draft by the Cardinals. He played college football at the University of Pittsburgh.
Fitzgerald attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he played for the Pittsburgh Panthers football team. He was widely considered one of the best wide receivers in college football. After his sophomore season, Fitzgerald was recognized as the best player in the NCAA with the 2003 Walter Camp Award and the Touchdown Club of Columbus's Chic Harley Award, and as the best wide receiver in college football with the 2003 Biletnikoff Award and the Touchdown Club's Paul Warfield Award. He was also a unanimous 2003 All-America selection and a runner-up for the prestigious Heisman Trophy, given to the most outstanding player in college football; Oklahoma's Jason White won that award by a relatively slim margin.
wn.com/Larry_Fitzgerald -
Larry Kelley
Lawrence Morgan "Larry" Kelley (May 30, 1915 – June 27, 2000) was an American football player born in Conneaut, Ohio. He played end, for Yale University. While at Yale he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and Skull and Bones, and was the second winner of the Heisman Trophy in 1936, the year it was renamed in honor of John Heisman. His jersey number was 19.
Kelley was an All-American end and the captain of the Yale football team. Following his career at Yale, he played for the Boston Shamrocks of the American Football League in 1937. He is a member of the National Football Foundation and the College Football Hall of Fame. Following his career in football, Kelley was a history teacher and alumni director at the Peddie School in Hightstown, New Jersey, his alma mater.
He taught English at Cheshire Academy and spent 12 years in the glove-manufacturing industry.
To benefit his nieces and nephews, Kelley sold his Heisman Trophy at an auction in December 1999 for $328,110 to the owner of The Stadium Museum, Restaurant & Bar in Garrison, New York, where it now resides. His health was visibly failing by then after having suffered a minor stroke and having open-heart surgery, and on June 27, 2000, Kelley died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his home in Hightstown, ruled a suicide by the police. He was 85 when he died. He was survived by his fourth wife and 18 nieces and nephews.
wn.com/Larry_Kelley -
Larry Little
Lawrence Chatmon Little (born November 2, 1945) is a former offensive guard in college and professional American football in the National Football League. He has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. He played collegiately at Bethune-Cookman College, in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Little went unselected in 1967, however he signed as a free agent with the American Football League's San Diego Chargers in 1967 and 1968, and was traded to the AFL's Miami Dolphins for the 1969 season, when he was named an AFL All-Star. He then played with the National Football League Dolphins from 1970 through 1980.
"I didn't particularly like the trade," Little said in the January 1974 issue of SPORT. "The Dolphins weren't much then."
Little was a key contributor to the success of the Dolphins' punishing running attack of the early and mid-1970s, which featured Larry Csonka, Mercury Morris, Paul Warfield and Jim Kiick.
He also served as head football coach of his alma mater, from 1983 to 1991, and as head coach at North Carolina Central University from 1993 to 1998. In addition, Little served as head coach of the Ohio Glory of the World League of American Football (which eventually became the now defeunct NFL Europe).
wn.com/Larry_Little -
Lawrence McCutcheon
Lawrence McCutcheon (born June 2, 1950, in Plainview, Texas) is a former American football running back for the Los Angeles Rams from 1972–1980, the Denver Broncos & Seattle Seahawks in 1980 and finished his playing career in 1981 with the Buffalo Bills, reuniting with his former Rams coach Chuck Knox.
McCutcheon was selected in the third Round of the 1972 NFL Draft by the Rams out of Colorado State University. He appeared in 89 games for the Rams, appearing in seven playoff games including Super Bowl XIV. In 1975 McCutcheon established a Postseason record by rushing for 202 yards on 37 carries in the playoff game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
McCutcheon led the Rams in rushing for 5 consecutive seasons from 1973–1977 and was named to the Pro Bowl each year. During his tenure with the Rams, McCutcheon gained a total of 6,186 yards on 1,425 carries. In addition to his 5 consecutive Pro Bowl appearances, McCutcheon was named Second-team All-Pro in 1974, All-NFC in 1977 & Second-team All-NFC in 1973, 1975 & 1976.
wn.com/Lawrence_McCutcheon -
Lawrence Taylor
Lawrence Julius Taylor (born February 4, 1959), nicknamed "L.T.", is a Hall of Fame former American football player. Taylor played his entire professional career as a linebacker for the New York Giants in the National Football League (NFL). He is considered to be one of the greatest players in the history of football, and has been ranked as the top defensive player in league history by former players, coaches, media members, and news outlets such as the NFL Network, and Sporting News.
After an All-American career at the University of North Carolina (UNC) (1978–1981), Taylor was drafted by the Giants as the second overall selection in the 1981 NFL Draft. Although controversy surrounded the selection due to Taylor's contract demands, the two sides quickly resolved the issue. Taylor won several defensive awards after his rookie season. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Taylor was a disruptive force at outside linebacker, and is credited with changing the pass rushing schemes, offensive line play, and offensive formations used in the NFL. Taylor produced double-digit sacks each season from 1984 through 1990, including a career high of 20.5 in 1986. He also won a record three Defensive Player of the Year awards and was named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his performance during the 1986 season. He was named First-team All-Pro in each of his first nine seasons and was a key member of the Giants' defense, nicknamed "The Big Blue Wrecking Crew", that led New York to victories in Super Bowls XXI and XXV. During the 1980s Taylor, fellow linebackers Carl Banks, Gary Reasons, and Hall of Famer Harry Carson gave the Giants linebacking corps a reputation as one of the best in the NFL.
wn.com/Lawrence_Taylor -
Lee Roy Jordan
Lee Roy Jordan (born April 27, 1941) is a retired American football linebacker. After attending the University of Alabama, playing under head coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, he spent 14 years in the National Football League playing for the Dallas Cowboys between 1963–1976. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983.
Between 1960–1962, Jordan was a standout for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team under legendary head coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. He played as both a linebacker and center for the team. In his sophomore season of 1960, he helped the Crimson Tide finish with an 8–2–1 record. In the Bluebonnet Bowl, versus the Texas Longhorns, he was named the game's MVP in a 3–3 tie.
The following year, Jordan was again an important part of the team as Alabama finished with an 11–0 record, a SEC Championship, and a National Championship. The season included six shutouts, which included a 34–0 blowout of rival Auburn. Alabama wrapped up the season with a 10–3 victory over Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl.
wn.com/Lee_Roy_Jordan -
Lee Roy Selmon
Lee Roy Selmon (October 20, 1954 – September 4, 2011) was a Hall of Fame NFL football defensive lineman.
Selmon was the youngest of nine children of Lucious and Jessie Selmon, raised on a farm near Eufaula, Oklahoma. A National Honor Society member at Eufaula High School, he graduated in 1971.
Selmon joined brothers Lucious and Dewey Selmon on the University of Oklahoma defensive line in 1972. He blossomed into a star in 1974, anchoring one of the best defenses in Sooner history. The Sooners were NCAA Division I-A national football champions in 1974 and 1975. Selmon won the Lombardi Award and the Outland Trophy in 1975. OU Head Coach Barry Switzer called him the best player he ever coached, and College Football News placed him as the 39th best college player of all time. He was known as "The Gentle Giant." In the fall of 1999, Selmon was named to the Sports Illustrated NCAA Football All-Century Team.
Selmon was named a consensus All-American in 1974 and 1975 by Newspaper Enterprise Association. His long list of achievements, in addition to the Vince Lombardi Award and the Outland Trophy, includes the National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete, GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-American and Graduate Fellowship Winner National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame.
wn.com/Lee_Roy_Selmon -
Lee Trevino
Lee Buck Trevino (born December 1, 1939) is a Mexican American professional golfer. He is an icon for Mexican Americans, and is often referred to as "The Merry Mex" and "Supermex". He won six major championships over the course of his career.
Trevino was born in Dallas, Texas into a family of Mexican ancestry. He was raised by his mother, Juanita Trevino, and his grandfather, Joe Trevino, a gravedigger. Trevino never knew his father, Joseph Trevino, who left when his son was small. Trevino's childhood consisted of attending school occasionally and working to earn money for the family. At age five, he started working in the cotton fields.
Trevino was introduced to golf when his uncle gave him a few golf balls and an old golf club. He then spent his free time sneaking into nearby country clubs to practice, and began as a caddy at the Dallas Athletic Club. He soon began caddying full-time. Trevino had to leave school at 14 to go to work. He earned $30 a week as a caddy and a shoeshiner. He was also able to practice golf, since the caddies had three short holes behind their shack. After work, he would hit at least 300 balls. Trevino has claimed to have earned extra money by challenging competitors to rounds of golf where he used only a shovel and taped-up 32-ounce glass Dr. Pepper bottle.
wn.com/Lee_Trevino -
Leodis McKelvin
Leodis Anquan McKelvin (born September 1, 1985) is an American football cornerback for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bills 11th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Troy.
McKelvin attended Ware County High School in Waycross, Georgia, where he played cornerback for head coach Dan Ragle. As a junior, he recorded 60 tackles and six interceptions, while also returning eight receptions for over 300 yards. In his senior year, he recorded 51 tackles, recovered three fumbles, intercepted six passes and broke up six passes, while helping Ware to a 9-2 record, a regional title and a second-round AAAA playoff appearance in 2003. He was named defensive player of the year in the area as well as to the Georgia Times Union Super 11 team.
Considered only a two-star recruit by Rivals.com, McKelvin was not ranked among the nation's best cornerback prospects. He received only few scholarship offers and picked Troy over Louisville on January 30, 2004.
wn.com/Leodis_McKelvin -
Leon Hart
Leon Joseph Hart (November 2, 1928 – September 24, 2002) was an American football tight end and defensive end. He was raised in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh.
He won the Heisman Trophy and the Maxwell Award while at the University of Notre Dame in 1949 and played in the National Football League for eight seasons, all with the Detroit Lions.
He holds the distinction of being the only lineman to win three National Titles in both college and the pros. He was the last and one of only two lineman ever to win the Heisman Trophy. Also, he was the only player to win the Heisman Trophy, a national championship, and be the first overall pick in the NFL draft all in the same one-year span, until Cam Newton did this in 2011.
wn.com/Leon_Hart -
Leroy Kelly
Leroy Kelly (born May 20, 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a former American football player. A Pro Football Hall of Fame running back, he played for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League from 1964-73.
During his 10-year NFL career, the 6-foot, 202-pound running back rushed for 7,274 yards and 74 touchdowns, on 1,727 carries. He also caught 190 passes for 2,281 yards and 13 touchdowns. On special teams, he returned 94 punts for 990 yards and 3 touchdowns, and 76 kickoffs for 1,784 yards. Overall, he gained 12,330 all-purpose yards and scored 90 touchdowns. He was named All-NFL five times and to six Pro Bowls.
Kelly led the NFL in rushing in 1967 and '68, also leading the league in rushing touchdowns for three consecutive years from 1966-68. He also was a talented punt and kick returner, who averaged 10.5 yards per punt return and 23.5 yards per kick return during his career.
Noted as an exceptionally fine runner on the muddy playing fields then in use, the 6-0, 202-pound Kelly favored the famed Browns trap play up the middle for his major yardage ventures but he was equally devastating on sweeps or as a receiver. His quick-starting ability, along with a sense of balance and knack of evading direct hits by tacklers, kept him relatively injury-free, missing only four games in 10 years and never more than one game per season.
wn.com/Leroy_Kelly -
Leroy Keyes
Marvin Leroy Keyes (born February 18, 1947) is a former American football running back and safety who played five seasons in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. He was drafted by the Eagles in the first round of the 1969 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue. He was an All-American as a halfback on offense and played corner on defense and returned kicks and punts. He also played both ways for Philadelphia before settling in as a solid strong safety.
Keyes played college football at Purdue University, where he was an All-American in 1967 and 1968, and finished second on the 1968 Heisman Trophy voting. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990. In his very first collegiate game, played on national television against eventual national champion Notre Dame, Keyes made his presence known by returning a fumble 94 yards for a touchdown.
Keyes is a member of The Pigskin Club Of Washington, D.C. National Intercollegiate All-American Football Players Honor Roll.
wn.com/Leroy_Keyes -
Les Horvath
Leslie "Les" Horvath (October 12, 1921 – November 14, 1995) was the 1944 Heisman Trophy winner, who played quarterback and halfback for the Ohio State University.
He was born in South Bend, Indiana, and raised in the Cleveland, Ohio area.
Horvath graduated from James Ford Rhodes High School in Cleveland.
Horvath played for the Buckeyes in 1940, 1941, 1942 and 1944. While at The Ohio State University he was a member of Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity. He had already graduated with a bachelor's degree after the 1942 season, and moved on to graduate school. While studying dentistry in graduate school, head coach Carroll Widdoes asked Horvath to come back to the team for the 1944 season because of the manpower shortage caused by World War II. The college football rules at the time permitted the fourth year of eligibility beyond graduation because of wartime.
After graduating from the dental school in 1945, Horvath joined the United States Navy as an Ensign, and he served in that role until he was discharged in July 1947. He played professional football for three seasons from 1947 to 1949 for the Los Angeles Rams and the Cleveland Browns. He then became a practicing dentist in the Los Angeles area of southern California.
wn.com/Les_Horvath -
Lou Boudreau
Louis "Lou" Boudreau (July 17, 1917 – August 10, 2001) was an American Major League Baseball player and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970. He was also a radio announcer for the Chicago Cubs of the National League.
In 1948, he won the American League Most Valuable Player Award and managed the Cleveland Indians to the World Series title.
Boudreau was an eight-time All Star Game selection, starting three times. He won the 1944 AL batting title (.327), and led the league in doubles in 1941, 1944, and 1947. He led AL shortstops in fielding eight times. Boudreau still holds the record for hitting the most consecutive doubles in a game (four), set on July 14, 1946.
Boudreau was born in Harvey, Illinois, to a father of French ancestry and a Jewish mother. He was raised Catholic. Boudreau graduated from Thornton Township High School in Harvey, Illinois. While at Thornton, Boudreau guided the "Flying Clouds" to three straight Illinois high school championship games, finishing first in 1933 and second in 1934 and 1935.
wn.com/Lou_Boudreau -
Lou Brock
Louis Clark "Lou" Brock (born June 18, 1939) is an American former professional baseball player. He began his Major League Baseball career with the Chicago Cubs but, spent the majority of his career as the left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Brock was best known for breaking Ty Cobb's all-time major league stolen base record. He is currently a special instructor coach for the St. Louis Cardinals. Brock was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985.
Brock was born in El Dorado, Arkansas to a family of sharecroppers. His family moved to Collinston, Louisiana when he was two years old. While his family didn't have much money, he said that he never felt poor because,"If you don't have something, you don't miss it." Brock grew up as a fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers, the team that included Jackie Robinson, Don Newcombe and Roy Campanella. Although he didn't play in organized baseball until he reached the 11th grade, he learned much about the sport from listening to Cardinals radio broadcaster Harry Caray describe the way major league hitters stood at the plate. After attending high school in Mer Rouge, Louisiana, he received academic assistance to attend Southern University in Baton Rouge but, when a low grade in his first semester meant the possibility of losing his scholarship, he decided to try out for the school's baseball team in order to secure an athletic scholarship.
wn.com/Lou_Brock -
Lou Saban
Louis Henry Saban (October 13, 1921 – March 29, 2009) was an American football player and coach. Saban played for Indiana University in college and as a pro for the Cleveland Browns of the All-America Football Conference. He was the head coach of the Boston Patriots (1960–1961), Buffalo Bills (1962–1965, 1972–1976), and Denver Broncos (1967–1971) of the American Football League and later the National Football League's American Football Conference, compiling a career AFL/NFL record of 95–99–7. Lou Saban is of Croat origin.
At the time of his death, Saban was the last survivor of the eight coaches of the Original Eight American Football League franchises, the others being Eddie Erdelatz, Frank Filchock, Buster Ramsey, Lou Rymkus, Sammy Baugh, and Hall of Fame coaches Hank Stram and Sid Gillman. Saban was also the head coach at a number of colleges: Case Institute of Technology (1950–1952), Northwestern University (1955), Western Illinois University (1957–1959), the University of Maryland, College Park (1966), the University of Miami (1977–1978), the United States Military Academy (1979), the University of Central Florida (1983–1984), Peru State College (1991), the State University of New York at Canton (1995–2000), and Chowan University (2001–2002), tallying a career college football mark of 94–99–4.
wn.com/Lou_Saban -
Lynn Swann
Lynn Curtis Swann (born March 7, 1952) is an American former professional football player, sportscaster, and current politician. In 2006, he was the Republican nominee to run against the incumbent Ed Rendell for Pennsylvania Governor.
Swann was born in Alcoa, Tennessee, in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains near Knoxville.
The Swann family moved to San Mateo, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area when Lynn was 2. As a youth, Swann was raised in neighboring Foster City and attended Junípero Serra High School, where in addition to playing football he was a track star, leaping 24' 10" in the long jump.
On June 10, 1979, during the summer after winning Super Bowl XIII, Swann married Bernadette Robi, the daughter of singer Paul Robi of The Platters. The pair divorced in 1983, and she is currently married to boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard.
On June 23, 1991, Swann married Charena (née Shaffer), a psychologist, and they have two sons, Braxton and Shafer. Shafer is attending Central Catholic High School, and Braxton is attending Sewickley Academy.
wn.com/Lynn_Swann -
Marcell Dareus
Marcell Dareus (born November 18, 1989) is an American football defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Alabama, playing defensive end in the Crimson Tide's 3-4 defense. He led the Southeastern Conference in quarterback sacks in the 2009 season, and was also named Defensive MVP of the 2010 BCS National Championship Game.
Dareus attended Huffman High School in Birmingham, Alabama, where an ASWA All-State honorable mention defensive lineman. He totaled 117 tackles and 20 sacks as a senior, and also returned a fumble for a touchdown. He was teammates with Andre Smith. Dareus was listed on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Super Southern 100, as well as the Mobile Press-Register Elite 18.
Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Dareus was listed as the #28 defensive tackle prospect in the class of 2008. He was also ranked the No. 17 overall player on the Alabama Top 35 list. Dareus chose Alabama over scholarship offers from Auburn, Tennessee, North Carolina, among others.
wn.com/Marcell_Dareus -
Marcia Clark
Marcia Rachel Clark is an American prosecutor, author, and television correspondent who gained fame as the head prosecutor in the O.J. Simpson murder case.
Marcia Rachel Kleks was born in Berkeley, California, on August 31, 1953 to a Jewish family. She graduated from Susan E. Wagner High School, a public high school in the Manor Heights section of Staten Island, one of the five boroughs of New York City. She graduated from UCLA in 1976 with a degree in Political Science, then earned a J.D. at Southwestern University School of Law. She was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1979.
Clark was a prosecutor for the State of California, County of Los Angeles, in the O.J. Simpson murder case along with Christopher Darden.
With Teresa Carpenter, she authored a book, Without a Doubt, about the case, in a deal reported to be worth $4.2 million. Clark was on leave from her job following Simpson's acquittal in 1995, and officially resigned in 1997, before the release of her book. Prior to the O.J. Simpson murder case, her most high-profile prosecution was in 1991, when she prosecuted Robert John Bardo for the murder of television star Rebecca Schaeffer.
wn.com/Marcia_Clark -
Marcus Allen
Marcus LeMarr Allen (born March 26, 1960) is a former American football running back and football analyst for CBS. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997. He scored 145 touchdowns, including a then league record 123 rushing touchdowns, and was elected to six Pro Bowls over the course of his career. He was also a fairly good passer for a running back, completing 12 of 27 passes for 285 yards and six touchdowns, with only one interception. Allen was the first player ever to gain more than 10,000 rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards during his career.
Allen is considered as one of the greatest goal line and short-yard runners in National Football League (NFL) history. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003. His younger brother, Damon Allen, played quarterback for 23 seasons in the Canadian Football League and was professional football's all-time leader in passing yards.
wn.com/Marcus_Allen -
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera (born November 29, 1969) is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer. A 12-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, he is MLB's all-time leader in saves (608) and games finished (892). His accolades include five American League (AL) Rolaids Relief Man Awards, the 1999 World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, and the 2003 AL Championship Series MVP Award.
Rivera was signed by the Yankees organization in 1990 as an amateur free agent in Panama, and he debuted in the major leagues in 1995. Initially a starting pitcher, he struggled in the role and was consequently converted to a relief pitcher. After a breakthrough season in 1996 as a setup man, he became the Yankees' closer in 1997. In the following years, he established himself as one of baseball's top relievers, leading the major leagues in saves in 1999, 2001, and 2004. Rivera's presence in the late innings of games to record the final outs has contributed to the Yankees' success in the late-1990s and 2000s, particularly in the postseason where he has set numerous records, including lowest earned run average (ERA) (0.70) and most saves (42). His pitching repertoire consists primarily of one pitch, a sharp-breaking, mid-90s mile per hour (mph) cut fastball that has been called an all-time great pitch.
wn.com/Mariano_Rivera -
Mario Clark
Mario Sean Clark (born March 29, 1954 in Pasadena, California) was an American football cornerback who played for the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers of the NFL. He played college football at the University of Oregon.
Playing for the Bills, Clark was a ballhawk who had 25 NFL interceptions by the age of 27. But Mario Clark managed only one more interception the rest of his career, finishing his NFL career with 26 interceptions.
wn.com/Mario_Clark -
Mario Williams
Mario Jerrel Williams (born January 31, 1985) is an American football defensive end for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected first overall by the Houston Texans in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at North Carolina State University.
Went N.C. State
On October 1, 2006, Williams recorded his first sack and a half against Miami Dolphins' quarterback Daunte Culpepper in the Texans' first win of the season (score 17-15). Three weeks later, Williams sacked Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich and recovered a fumble in the Texans' 27-7 upset. In the 2006 season, Williams accumulated 47 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble.
Early in the 2007 season, Williams played well, with an outstanding performance in the first game. Williams made five tackles, two sacks, and returned a fumble by Kansas City Chiefs fullback Kris Wilson for a touchdown. He had particularly big games against the Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans, sacking quarterback Jay Cutler 3.5 times and quarterback Vince Young 2.5 times in one game each. His first sack of 2007 was of Peyton Manning. Before the game, Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy compared Williams to Colts Pro Bowl Defensive End Dwight Freeney. Williams finished the 2007 season with 59 total tackles and 14 sacks.
wn.com/Mario_Williams -
Marion Motley
Marion Motley (June 5, 1920 - June 27, 1999) was a professional football player, a fullback for the Cleveland Browns, and briefly for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Motley attended high school at Canton McKinley High School in Canton, Ohio, and played college football at South Carolina State and three seasons at Nevada. As a punishing fullback for the Wolf Pack, Motley played several games at San Francisco's Kezar Stadium against such power teams of the period from the Bay Area: USF, Santa Clara, and St. Mary's; at the time there were no major professional football teams on the West Coast.
During World War II, Motley joined the U.S. Navy, where he first played for Paul Brown with the Great Lakes Naval Training Station team. This team, full of fine players, notably defeated Notre Dame 39-7 in 1945. Motley planned on going back to college to get a degree, but then Paul Brown offered him a job with his new professional team. He started his pro football career in 1946, when the Cleveland Browns were part of the new AAFC.
wn.com/Marion_Motley -
Mark Fuhrman
Mark Fuhrman (born February 5, 1952) is a former detective of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), known for his part in the investigation of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman and his subsequent felony conviction for perjury. He has subsequently written books and hosted talk radio.
Fuhrman was born in Eatonville, Washington and attended Peninsula High School in Gig Harbor, Washington. In 1970, at age 18, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he was trained as a machine gunner and military policeman. He served in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1975, having attained the rank of sergeant. Later that year, he entered the Los Angeles Police Academy, graduating second in his class. Fuhrman was promoted to detective in 1989. He served as a police officer for 20 years, earning more than 55 commendations before his retirement in 1995.
Fuhrman stated he found a blood-stained glove at Aaron Turner's condo (the scene of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman), and also found another at Simpson's home. He also claimed to have seen a number of blood drops at Simpson's home. He entered Simpson's estate without a search warrant due to exigent circumstances -– specifically, concern that Simpson himself might have been harmed. Soon after the preliminary hearing in the O. J. Simpson murder case, Simpson's defense team alleged that Fuhrman planted the glove found at Simpson's Brentwood estate as part of a racially motivated effort to frame Simpson for the murders.
wn.com/Mark_Fuhrman -
Mark Gastineau
Marcus Dell Gastineau (born November 20, 1956) is a former American football player who was a leading defensive end for the New York Jets from 1979 to 1988. A five-time Pro Bowler, his 100½ quarterback sacks in only his first 100 starts in the NFL made him one of the quickest and most feared pass rushers of his generation. Gastineau is ranked the 8th greatest pass rusher in NFL History on NFL Network's NFL Top 10 Pass Rushers.
Gastineau was born in Ardmore, Oklahoma, and moved to Springerville, Arizona at the age of seven, when his parents, Ernie and Lou, bought a ranch. Ernie built his son a rodeo ring, and Mark began entering team-roping events at 12. Mark's other passion was collecting Indian artifacts in Arizona's White Mountains. At Round Valley High School, Gastineau needed urging from his father to play football. Gastineau showed promise, but not enough to attract attention from major colleges.
He entered Eastern Arizona Junior College in 1975 and earned All-America honors in his first season. He transferred to Arizona State University, and spent just one season playing defensive end there before finally settling upon East Central Oklahoma State University, now East Central University, in Ada, Oklahoma. He had 27 quarterback sacks in his college career, and earned Outstanding Defensive Lineman honors for the North in the 1979 Senior Bowl. He became ECU's first-ever draft pick when the New York Jets selected him in the second round of the 1979 NFL Draft.
wn.com/Mark_Gastineau -
Mark Kelso
Mark Alan Kelso (born July 23, 1963 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is a former American football player who was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the tenth round of the 1985 NFL Draft. A 5'11", 177 lbs. safety from North Hills High School and the College of William & Mary.
Kelso played in eight NFL seasons and his entire career with the Buffalo Bills from 1986-1993. His peak performance as a pro came during the 1988 season when he had intercepted 7 passes for 180 yards and one touchdown. Kelso appeared in four consecutive Super Bowl appearances for the Bills from 1990 to 1993. He was well known for wearing a "pro cap" on his helmet which was used to reduce the risk of concussions. He finished his career with 30 interceptions, 8 fumble recoveries, and two defensive touchdowns.
Starting with the 2006 NFL season, Kelso has served as the color commentator for Buffalo Bills radio broadcasts on WGRF 96.9 FM. He is the Development Director (since 2003-2004) at Saint Mary's High School in Lancaster, New York, as well as its varsity football defensive coordinator from the 2003-2010 seasons. Kelso also is a local baseball coach. Prior to that he taught fifth grade at East Aurora Middle School.
wn.com/Mark_Kelso -
Mark McGwire
Mark David McGwire (born October 1, 1963), nicknamed "Big Mac", is an American former professional baseball player who played his major league career with the Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals. He is currently the hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals.
For his career, McGwire averaged a home run once every 10.61 at bats, the lowest at bats per home run ratio in baseball history (Babe Ruth is second at 11.76). In 1987, he broke the single-season home run record for rookies, with 49. In 1998, McGwire and Sammy Sosa achieved national fame for their home run-hitting prowess in pursuit of Roger Maris' single season home run record; McGwire broke the record and hit 70 home runs that year.Barry Bonds now holds the record, after hitting 73 home runs during the 2001 season.
After three years at Southern California and a stint on the 1984 U.S. Olympic team, McGwire was drafted 10th overall by the Oakland Athletics in the 1984 Major League Baseball Draft.
McGwire made the major leagues in August. As a rookie in 1987 he hit 33 homers before the All-Star break and was a unanimous choice for AL Rookie of the Year after finishing with 49 homers, 118 RBI and a .289 average. His 49 longballs smashed the old rookie record of 38, jointly held by Frank Robinson and Wally Berger. He sat out the season's final two games and gave up a chance at 50 home runs to be present at the birth of his first child.
wn.com/Mark_McGwire -
Mark Moseley
Mark DeWayne Moseley (born March 12, 1948 in Laneville, Texas) is a former professional American football placekicker in the National Football League who played for the Philadelphia Eagles (1970), the Houston Oilers (1971–1972), the Washington Redskins (1974–1986), and the Cleveland Browns (1986). He won the Most Valuable Player Award during the strike-shortened 1982 season. He is the only placekicker to win the award.
With the retirement of the Minnesota Vikings' Rick Danmeier in 1982, Moseley became the sole full-time straight on placekicker in the National Football League; there has only been one other (Dirk Borgognone, who played two games in 1995) since then. In the 1960s, the newer soccer style was introduced by the Hungarian brothers Pete and Charlie Gogolak, and it became increasingly popular.
In the Washington Redskins' 27-17 victory in Super Bowl XVII over the Miami Dolphins, Moseley kicked two field goals and was successful on all three of his extra point attempts. During the following season, he led the NFL in scoring with 161 points.
wn.com/Mark_Moseley -
Mark Spitz
Mark Andrew Spitz (born February 10, 1950) is a retired American swimmer. He won seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, an achievement only surpassed by Michael Phelps who won eight golds at the 2008 Olympics.
Between 1968 and 1972, Spitz won nine Olympic golds plus a silver and a bronze, five Pan American golds, 31 US Amateur Athletic Union titles and eight US National Collegiate Athletic Association titles. During those years, he set 33 world records. He was the most successful athlete at the 1972 Summer Olympics. He was named World Swimmer of the Year in 1969, 1971 and 1972.
Spitz was born to a Jewish family in Modesto, California, the first of three children of Arnold and Lenore Smith Spitz. When he was two years old, Spitz's family moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, where he swam at Waikiki Beach every day. "You should have seen that little boy dash into the ocean. He'd run like he was trying to commit suicide." Lenore Spitz told a reporter for Time (April 12, 1968). At age six his family returned to Sacramento, California, and he began to compete at his local swim club. At age nine, he was training at Arden Hills Swim Club in Sacramento with Sherm Chavoor, the swimming coach who mentored him and six other Olympic medal winners. Before he was 10, Spitz held 17 national age-group records, and one world record. At 14 his family moved to Santa Clara so Spitz could train with George F. Haines of the Santa Clara Swim Club. From 1964 to 1968 Mark trained with Haines at SCSC and Santa Clara High School. During his four years there, Mark held national high school records in every stroke and in every distance[citation needed]. It was a remarkable and unprecedented achievement. In 1966 at age 16 he won the 100 meter butterfly at the National AAU Championships, the first of his 24 AAU titles. The following year Mark set his first world record at a small California meet in the 400 meter freestyle with a time of 4:10.60, and emerged on the world swimming stage.
wn.com/Mark_Spitz -
Marshall Faulk
Marshall William Faulk (born February 26, 1973) is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for twelve seasons. He played college football for San Diego State University, and was a three-time All-American. He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts as the second overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft, and he also played professionally for the NFL's St. Louis Rams. Faulk is one of only three NFL players (Marcus Allen and Tiki Barber being the others) to reach at least 10,000 rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards; he is the only one to amass 12,000 yards rushing and 6,000 yards receiving. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
He is currently a pro football analyst for NFL Total Access, Thursday Night Football, and NFL GameDay Morning on the NFL Network.
Faulk was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. He attended George Washington Carver High School in Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, where he played for the Carver Rams high school football team.
wn.com/Marshall_Faulk -
Marshawn Lynch
Marshawn Terrell Lynch (born April 22, 1986) is an American football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round (12th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft. In his rookie year, Lynch became the Bills' first 1,000-yard rookie rusher since Greg Bell in 1984. He finished the season with 1,115 total rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Lynch played college football at California, where he was the school's second all-time career rusher with 3,230 yards.
Lynch attended Oakland Technical High School. In his 2003 season, Lynch amassed 1,722 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns in only eight regular season games, and an additional 375 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in two postseason games. He was voted a PrepStar and SuperPrep All-American and was also voted as the San Francisco East Bay Player of the Year.
Lynch experimented with other positions in high school. He played defensive back and accumulated 20 interceptions his senior year. His coaches put him at defensive end for one game, and he forced three fumbles. Lynch also played some quarterback and wide receiver in high school. Before high school, Lynch had originally played as an offensive guard.Rivals.com had him ranked #1 in the nation as a defensive back, but he decided to stick to his passion at running back. Lynch ended his high school career as the second-ranked running back in the nation in 2004 behind Adrian Peterson by Rivals.com.
wn.com/Marshawn_Lynch -
Marv Levy
Marvin Daniel Levy (born August 3, 1925) is a former American and Canadian football coach, front office executive and author.
He is a former professional football coach, in the CFL as head coach of the Montreal Alouettes (1973–1977), and in the NFL as head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs (1978–1982) and the Buffalo Bills (1986–1997), coaching the Bills to four consecutive American Football Conference Championships. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.
Levy's family emigrated from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. His father, a decorated World War I veteran, ran a small business on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, USA. He graduated from South Shore High School in Chicago, in 1943. Following graduation, he enlisted in the Army Air Forces and spent the remainder of World War II in the military; Levy was discharged from the army shortly after the war ended. Though he was known to use historical examples to inspire his teams, Levy corrected those who used war and combat metaphors to describe football games by telling them that he actually fought in a war and that football and war were in no way comparable. Referring to the Super Bowl, he once said "This is not a must-win; World War II was a must-win".
wn.com/Marv_Levy -
Matt Leinart
Matthew Stephen Leinart (born May 11, 1983), is an American professional football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). Leinart previously played for four seasons (2006–2009) with the Arizona Cardinals, largely in a backup role to the now-retired Kurt Warner, before being released on September 4, 2010. He also played for the Houston Texans (2010–2011).
Leinart played college football at the University of Southern California. In 2004, he led the Trojans to the BCS national championship and was named that year's winner of the Heisman Trophy as well as the winner of the inaugural Manning Award, which is awarded to the country's top quarterback. The championship was vacated by the BCS on June 6, 2011.
The left-handed passing Leinart was selected tenth overall in the 2006 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Despite possessing what draft experts believed was a good frame for a quarterback (6'-5”, 230 pounds), they believed his lack of a strong throwing arm, such as that possessed by his predecessor, Carson Palmer (now with the Oakland Raiders), would be a detriment in his professional career.
wn.com/Matt_Leinart -
Matthew Stafford
John Matthew Stafford (born February 7, 1988) is an American football quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Lions first overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Georgia. He is the 4th quarterback in NFL history to throw over 5,000 yards in a single season.
Stafford was born in Tampa, Florida to John and Margaret Stafford. He lived in Dunwoody, Georgia while his father attended graduate school at the University of Georgia. His family then moved to Dallas, Texas, and Stafford attended Highland Park High School. He was coached by Randy Allen and was widely considered to be one of the best high school quarterbacks in the United States in the Class of 2006, ranked ahead of Tim Tebow.
Stafford made his varsity debut in the 2002 playoffs against Sulphur Springs High School. He lettered in baseball as a power hitting first baseman where he was teammates with future Major League Baseball pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Jordan Walden. However, after a disappointing junior football season in which he threw for only 1,748 yards, 18 TDs and 11 INTs, Stafford quit baseball to concentrate on football.
wn.com/Matthew_Stafford -
Maury Wills
Maurice Morning "Maury" Wills (born October 2, 1932) is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and switch-hitting batter who played most prominently with the Los Angeles Dodgers (1959–66, 1969–72), and also with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1967–68) and Montreal Expos (1969). He was an essential component of the Dodgers' championship teams in the mid-1960s, and is credited for reviving the stolen base as part of baseball strategy.
In a career of 14 seasons, Wills batted .281 with 20 home runs, 458 runs batted in, 2,134 hits, 1,067 runs, 177 doubles, 71 triples, and 586 stolen bases in 1,942 games.
As of 2009, Wills is a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization serving as a representative of the Dodgers Legend Bureau.
Maurice, or Sonny as he was called at Cardozo Senior High School, first showed up as an All City Pitcher in the local Washington Daily News. He played on Sal Hall's '48 Cardozo football team that went unbeaten and unscored on. In the '49–'50 school year, 3 sport standout Sonny Wills, was named All City QB in football, basketball and Pitcher in baseball. On May 8, 1950 in a game against Phelps, P Wills threw a 1-hitter and struck out 17.
wn.com/Maury_Wills -
Mel Blount
Melvin Cornell Blount (born April 10, 1948 in Vidalia, Georgia) is a former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back, five-time Pro Bowler and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee. Blount is considered one of the best cornerbacks to have ever played in the NFL. His physical style of play made him one of the most feared defensive backs in the game at a time when pass interference rules were less stringent.
The early years of his life were spent in poverty on a Georgia farm. But by college, Blount was a star in baseball, football, basketball, and track. Upon graduation, he was offered a scholarship to Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. While there, he was a Pro-Scouts All-American pick as both safety and cornerback.
Blount was the prototype cornerback of his era and a major reason why the Pittsburgh Steelers were the dominant team of the National Football League in the 1970s.[citation needed] A third-round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1970, he had the size, speed, and quickness for the position, plus the toughness and his mental ability to adjust his coverage tactics and excel despite rule changes that favored receivers.
wn.com/Mel_Blount -
Mel Hein
Melvin Jack Hein (August 22, 1909 – January 31, 1992) was an American Professional Football player for the New York Giants. Hein played fifteen seasons for the Giants (1931-45) and never missed a down due to injury. He is the first player and only offensive lineman to win the NFL MVP award (1938) and he helped the Giants win the championship that season.
Mel was part of the first inductee class into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963. In 1969, he was named the center on the NFL 50th Anniversary Team, and was named to the 75th Anniversary Team in 1994. In 1999, despite 55 years having passed since his last game, he was ranked number 74 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.
Hein played prep football for the Burlington High School Tigers (now Burlington-Edison High School) in Burlington, Washington, where he played center and defensive line positions. His senior year Hein earned the Skagit County Football MVP, the highest award for a prep player in the Skagit Valley in those days. He was also named to the First Team All-State football team as a senior. It has been said he is the first professional athlete to hail from the state of Washington. Hein is known for wearing jersey number 7, but it is not known what jersey number he wore during his high school years as prep teams might not have worn numbers in those days. Hein is also a charter member of the Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA). He also excelled as a basketball player in his prep days with the Tigers, playing center on the court, as well.
wn.com/Mel_Hein -
Mel Renfro
Melvin Lacy "Mel" Renfro (born December 30, 1941 in Houston, Texas) is a former American football defensive back in the National Football League who spent his entire fourteen-year career with the Dallas Cowboys.
Mel Renfro attended high school in Portland, Oregon. He was enrolled at Jefferson High School, which is celebrating its 100th year in 2009. He is with the "Notable Alumni", along with Terry Baker, Aaron Miles, Ime Udoka, and Pete Ward.
Renfro attended the University of Oregon, where he excelled as a track star and as a two-way football player, an All-American halfback and defensive back. In his three seasons with the Ducks, Renfro rushed for 1,532 yards and scored 141 points.
One of Renfro's best collegiate games took place against Rice University at Houston in 1962. Renfro shined on both offense and defense, leading the Ducks to a 31-12 victory. Rice Stadium had been a whites-only facility prior to the Ducks' visit, but university officials allowed Renfro's family to enter and sit in a special section of the stadium near the 35-yard line. According to a contemporary account in the Eugene (Ore.) Register-Guard, when Renfro left the game, he was given a loud and appreciative ovation by the Rice crowd. An Oregon sportswriter asked a Houston counterpart in the press box if an African-American had ever received such an ovation by a predominantly white crowd. The Texan enthusiastically replied, "We've never seen any player that good!" The morning after the game, a Houston paper headlined, "Renfro Runs Rice Ragged."
wn.com/Mel_Renfro -
Melissa Michaelsen
Melissa Michaelsen (born March 26, 1968) was an American child actress probably best known for her role as the title character in the James Komack television show Me and Maxx.
Michaelsen's father, Alwin Michaelsen, is a financial consultant who graduated from Princeton in 1954, and her mother, Gail Billingsley was once Alwin's secretary. Gail is the niece of Stork Club owner Sherman Billingsley. Gail's cousin, Glenn Billingsley, was briefly married to actress Barbara Billingsley who continued to use his last name for her stage name. Gail was the one who initially took the children around to auditions. Michaelsen's four siblings all acted as children, most notably Peter Billingsley and, to a lesser extent, Neil Billingsley who began playing Danny Walton on the daytime soap opera Search for Tomorrow in 1975.
For a while, Melissa's resume was nearly as extensive as Peter's having appeared in many television commercials and guest starring in quite a number of television shows including Code Red,Here's Boomer, The Young Riders, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Michaelsen also starred in several made-for-TV movies such as Orphan Train,Broken Promise, and the Goldie and the Boxer films.
wn.com/Melissa_Michaelsen -
Merlin Olsen
Merlin Jay Olsen (September 15, 1940 – March 11, 2010) was an American football player in the National Football League, NFL commentator, and actor. He played his entire 15-year career with the Los Angeles Rams and was elected to the Pro Bowl in 14 of those seasons, a current record shared with Bruce Matthews. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. As an actor he portrayed the farmer Jonathan Garvey on Little House on the Prairie. After leaving that series, he starred in his own NBC drama, Father Murphy, playing the title role of a foster dad posing as a traveling priest.
Born to Lynn Jay and Merle Barrus Olsen in Logan, Utah, the second of nine siblings and the first-born son, Merlin Olsen had three brothers and five sisters: Colleen, Clark, Lorraine, Gwen, Phil, Winona, Ramona, and Orrin.
Olsen attended Utah State University where he became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, and was a three-year letterman in football as a defensive tackle. He graduated from the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at USU with a bachelor's degree in Finance in 1962 and a master's degree in Economics in 1971. He later received an honorary doctorate degree in business from the Huntsman School. In football, as a senior, he was a consensus All-American selection (making the vast majority of All-America teams) and was the winner of the Outland Trophy. After Olsen's junior year of 1960 he was also named All-American by the Football Writers Association of America and Newspaper Enterprise Association. He was also All-Conference in both 1960 and 1961. Olsen and Utah State were in the 1960 Sun Bowl, losing to New Mexico State, 20–13. Led by Olsen, the Aggie defense held the New Mexico State Aggies to just 44 rushing yards on 32 carries.
wn.com/Merlin_Olsen -
Michael Baden
Michael M. Baden is a physician and board-certified forensic pathologist known for his work investigating high-profile deaths and as a host of HBO's Autopsy. He is also the Forensic Science Contributor for Fox News Channel. He has been the author or co-author of more than eighty professional articles and books on aspects of forensic medicine and also of two popular non-fiction books, Unnatural Death: Confessions of a Medical Examiner and Dead Reckoning: the New Science of Catching Killers. He and his wife have written the thriller Remains Silent.
Baden received his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine in 1960.
He is married to Linda Kenney-Baden, an attorney, and has four children.
Baden was the Chief Medical Examiner for the City of New York from 1978 to 1979.
He has been a consulting/lead pathologist and an expert witness on a number of high-profile cases and investigations including:
Baden maintains a private forensic pathology consulting practice and is the co-director of the New York State Police Medicolegal Investigation Unit.
wn.com/Michael_Baden -
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963) is a retired American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. His biography on the National Basketball Association (NBA) website states, "By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time." Jordan was one of the most effectively marketed athletes of his generation and was considered instrumental in popularizing the NBA around the world in the 1980s and 1990s.
After a three-season career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a member of the Tar Heels' national championship team in 1982, Jordan joined the NBA's Chicago Bulls in 1984. He quickly emerged as a league star, entertaining crowds with his prolific scoring. His leaping ability, illustrated by performing slam dunks from the free throw line in slam dunk contests, earned him the nicknames "Air Jordan" and "His Airness". He also gained a reputation for being one of the best defensive players in basketball. In 1991, he won his first NBA championship with the Bulls, and followed that achievement with titles in 1992 and 1993, securing a "three-peat". Although Jordan abruptly retired from basketball at the beginning of the 1993–94 NBA season to pursue a career in baseball, he rejoined the Bulls in 1995 and led them to three additional championships (1996, 1997, and 1998) as well as an NBA-record 72 regular-season wins in the 1995–96 NBA season. Jordan retired for a second time in 1999, but returned for two more NBA seasons from 2001 to 2003 as a member of the Washington Wizards.
wn.com/Michael_Jordan -
Michael Phelps
Michael Fred Phelps (born June 30, 1985) is an American swimmer who has, overall, won 16 Olympic medals—six gold and two bronze at Athens in 2004, and eight gold at Beijing in 2008, becoming the most successful athlete at both of these Olympic Games editions. In doing so he has twice equaled the record eight medals of any type at a single Olympics achieved by Soviet gymnast Alexander Dityatin at the 1980 Moscow Summer Games. His five gold medals in individual events tied the single Games record set by compatriot Eric Heiden in the 1980 Winter Olympics and equaled by Vitaly Scherbo at the 1992 Summer Games. Phelps holds the record for the most gold medals won in a single Olympics; his eight at the 2008 Beijing Games surpassed American swimmer Mark Spitz's seven-gold performance at Munich in 1972. Phelps' Olympic medal total is second only to the 18 Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina won over three Olympics, including nine gold. Phelps also holds the all-time record for most gold Olympic medals, at 14.
wn.com/Michael_Phelps -
Michael Vick
Michael Dwayne Vick (born June 26, 1980) is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Atlanta Falcons for six seasons before serving time in prison for his involvement in an illegal dog fighting ring.
Vick played college football at Virginia Tech, where as a freshman he placed third in the Heisman Trophy balloting. He left after his sophomore year to enter the NFL and was drafted first overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2001 NFL Draft. He became the first African-American quarterback to be selected first overall in an NFL Draft. In six seasons with the Falcons, he gained wide popularity for his performance on the field, and led the Falcons to the playoffs twice. Vick ranks first among quarterbacks in career rushing yards.
In April 2007, Vick was implicated in an illegal interstate dog fighting ring that had operated over five years. In August 2007, he pleaded guilty to federal felony charges and served 21 months in prison, followed by two months in home confinement. With the loss of his NFL salary and product endorsement deals, combined with previous financial mismanagement, Vick filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July 2008. Falcons owner Arthur Blank did not want Vick on the Falcons, and after attempts to trade him failed, Vick was released. He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and was reinstated in week 3 of the 2009 season.
wn.com/Michael_Vick -
Mickey Mantle
Mickey Charles Mantle (October 20, 1931 – August 13, 1995) was an American baseball center fielder who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees from 1951 to 1968. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974 and was elected to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team in 1999.
Mantle was noted for his hitting ability, both for average and for power.[citation needed] He won the Triple Crown in 1956, leading MLB in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in (RBI). He received three American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards and played in twenty All-Star games. Mantle appeared in 12 World Series, winning 7 of them. He holds the records for most World Series home runs (18), RBIs (40), runs (42), walks (43), extra-base hits (26), and total bases (123). He is also the career leader in walk-off home runs, with a combined thirteen, twelve in the regular season and one in the postseason.
wn.com/Mickey_Mantle -
Mike Battle
Michael Leonard Battle (born July 9, 1946 in South Gate, California) is a former American football player in the American Football League (AFL). and the National Football League (NFL). A safety, he played college football at the University of Southern California, and played professionally for the AFL's New York Jets in 1969, and for the Jets of the NFL in 1970.
He appeared in the movie C.C. and Company (1970), which starred Joe Namath, then starting quarterback of the New York Jets.
wn.com/Mike_Battle -
Mike Dennis
Walter Michael Dennis (born July 22, 1944 in Philadelphia, Mississippi) was an American football player. A running back, he played college football at the University of Mississippi, and played professionally in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams in 1968 and 1969. Dennis was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 1st round (8th overall) of the American Football League 1966 draft. He was also drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the 3rd round (33rd overall) of the National Football League 1966 draft.
wn.com/Mike_Dennis -
Mike Ditka
Michael Keller Ditka, Jr. (born October 18, 1939) is a former American football NFL player, television commentator, and coach. Ditka coached the Chicago Bears for 11 years and New Orleans Saints for three years. Ditka and Tom Flores are the only two people to win Super Bowls as a player, an assistant coach, and a head coach. Ditka was the only individual to participate in both of the last two Chicago Bears' championships, as a player in 1963 and as head coach in 1985.
Ditka was born as Michael Dyczko in the Pittsburgh-area town of Carnegie, Pennsylvania on October 18, 1939. The oldest child of Mike Sr. and Charlotte, he grew up in nearby Aliquippa, Pennsylvania with siblings Ashton, David, and Mary Ann. Mike Sr., a welder, was one of three brothers of a Ukrainian family in the coal mining and steel manufacturing area in Western Pennsylvania. The surname "Dyczko" was difficult to pronounce in his hometown, so the family name was changed to "Ditka." Ditka attended St. Titus School.
A three-sport star at Aliquippa High School, Ditka hoped to escape his hometown's manufacturing jobs by attending college with a football scholarship. Planning to become a dentist, he was recruited by Notre Dame, Penn State, and University of Pittsburgh. Ditka played for the University of Pittsburgh from 1958–1960, where he also became a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He started all three seasons and is widely considered one of the best tight ends in college football history. In addition to playing tight end, he also served as the team's punter. He led the team in receiving in all three of his seasons with them and was a first team selection on the College Football All-America Team in his senior year. In 1986, he was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.
wn.com/Mike_Ditka -
Mike Garrett
Michael Lockett Garrett (born April 12, 1944 in Los Angeles, California) is a former American collegiate and professional football player who won the 1965 Heisman Trophy as a tailback for the University of Southern California Trojans. Garrett also played professional football for eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers. From 1993 until 2010 he was the athletic director at USC.
A two time All-American, Garrett set numerous NCAA, Pac-8 Conference and USC records in his career by amassing a then unheard of 3,221 yards and scored 30 touchdowns. Garrett also led the nation in rushing in 1965 with 267 carries for 1,440 yards. He also caught 36 passes, returned 43 punts, returned 30 kickoffs and threw 6 passes. Two of his passes went for touchdowns. Garrett was awarded the 1965 W.J. Voit Memorial Trophy as the outstanding football player on the Pacific Coast. He won the Heisman Trophy after the 1965 regular season. In 1985 he was voted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
wn.com/Mike_Garrett -
Mike Holmgren
Michael George Holmgren (born June 15, 1948) is a former professional football coach and current President of the Cleveland Browns. He served as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers from 1992 to 1998, and the Seattle Seahawks from 1999 to 2008. Prior to his career in the National Football League, Holmgren coached football at the high school and collegiate levels.
Holmgren is noted for his role in molding quarterbacks such as Steve Young, Brett Favre and Matt Hasselbeck during his tenures in San Francisco, Green Bay and Seattle, respectively. Under Holmgren's leadership and play calling the Green Bay Packers were consistent winners. He became known as one of the best coaches in the NFL[by whom?], leading the Packers to their twelfth league championship in Super Bowl XXXI. Under Holmgren the Seahawks also became a frequent playoff team, including a trip to the franchise's first Super Bowl in 2005.
Holmgren started out as a tight end before becoming a standout quarterback at San Francisco's Abraham Lincoln High School where he was named "Prep Athlete of the Year" in 1965 and graduated in 1966. He continued his playing career as a quarterback at the University of Southern California, from 1966-69. As a sophomore he was on USC's national championship team of 1967, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1970. He played behind starter Steve Sogge in 1967–68, and a knee injury put him behind sophomore Jimmy Jones in 1969. Although a back-up, Holmgren was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the eighth round (201st overall) of the 1970 NFL Draft and went to camp with both the Cardinals and the New York Jets that year.
wn.com/Mike_Holmgren -
Mike Hull
Michael Bruce Hull (born on April 2, 1945 in La Crescenta, California) is a retired American football fullback that played in the National Football League. Mike started his football career at 14 yrs old on the bench, as a reserve offensive tackle for Clark Junior H.S., which is now Crescenta Valley High/ “CVHS”. Then, in 1960, at 15, Mike started running track too and ended that Spring winning the 100 and 220 yard dashes, the long-jump, and “Athlete of the Meet” for Clark Jr. High, at the Glendale Unified School District “Junior Olympics”. It was the first athletic competition he had ever won. Up to then he was considered too tall, skinny, nice and uncoordinated to do much of anything.
When the Clark ninth grade class became the first sophomore, tenth grade, and the oldest class at CVHS, somebody must have noticed his speed, as Mike was moved from on-the-bench, reserve tackle, to starting tight-end, and defensive end, as #82, for the Falcon’s 1960, infamous inaugural junior varsity team. He played essentially every minute of every game for that first Falcon football team, while catching a grand total of three passes, for about 100 yds, on a team of all sophomores who pretty much got their butts kicked each game playing against upperclassmen, including seniors, from other schools.
wn.com/Mike_Hull -
Mike Krzyzewski
Michael William "Mike" Krzyzewski ( /ʃəˈʃɛvski/ shə-SHEV-ski; Polish: Krzyżewski [kʂɨˈʐɛ(f)ski]; nicknamed "Coach K"; born February 13, 1947) is an American basketball coach and former player. Since 1980, he has served as the head men's basketball coach at Duke University. At Duke, Krzyzewski has led the Blue Devils to four NCAA Championships, 11 Final Fours, 12 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular season titles, and 13 ACC Tournament championships. Krzyzewski is also the coach of the United States men's national basketball team, whom he led to a gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2010 FIBA World Championship. He was an assistant coach on the 1992 "Dream Team".
From 1975 to 1980, Krzyzewski was the head basketball coach at the United States Military Academy, where he played from 1966 to 1969 under Bob Knight. Krzyzewski has amassed a record 79 NCAA tournament victories, while averaging 25 wins per season. He was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame following the 2001 season. On November 15, 2011, Krzyzewski led Duke to a 74–69 victory over Michigan State at Madison Square Garden to become the winningest coach in NCAA Division I men's basketball history. Krzyzewski's 903rd victory surpassed the previous record of 902, held by his former coach, Bob Knight.
wn.com/Mike_Krzyzewski -
Mike Mularkey
Michael Rene Mularkey (born November 19, 1961) is an American professional football coach and is currently the head coach for the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars. He played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played 9 seasons in the NFL as a tight end for the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He has served as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills, the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the tight ends coach for the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL.
Mularkey was born in Miami, Florida. He attended Northeast High School in Oakland Park, Florida, and played quarterback for the Northeast Hurricanes high school football team.
Mularkey attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played tight end for coach Charley Pell's Florida Gators football team from 1980 to 1982.
In 1983, Mularkey was a ninth-round draft pick for the San Francisco 49ers, but was cut before appearing in game. He went on to play with the Minnesota Vikings until the conclusion of the 1988 season. In 1989, he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a free agent for the final three years of his playing career. In his nine NFL seasons, Mularkey played in 114 regular season games, started forty-six of them, and caught 102 passes for 1,222 yards and nine touchdowns.
wn.com/Mike_Mularkey -
Mike Rozier
Michael M. Rozier (born March 1, 1961) is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons during the 1980s and early 1990s. Rozier played college football for the University of Nebraska, and won the Heisman Trophy in 1983. Afterward, he played professionally for the Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons of the NFL. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
Rozier was born in Camden, New Jersey. He attended Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden, where he was a standout high school football player. Today, the football field bears his name.
Rozier went largely unnoticed by most of the major college programs. His recruitment to Nebraska was a complete accident. Former Nebraska head coach Frank Solich, at the time an assistant to head coach Tom Osborne, had been a keen observer of high school game films. While watching film of Pennsauken's game against nearby Woodrow Wilson High School, one player on the opposing team (Rozier) continually caught Solich's eye.
wn.com/Mike_Rozier -
Mike Stratton
David Michael Stratton (born April 10, 1941 in Vonore, Tennessee) was an American football linebacker in the AFL and NFL for the Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers.
Drafted out of the University of Tennessee in the 13th round of the 1962 AFL Draft, Stratton was selected as an AFL All-Star six straight seasons from 1963 through 1968. Lou Saban used him at linebacker, where with Harry Jacobs and John Tracey he filled out the AFL's best linebacking crew, playing together for 62 consecutive games from 1963 through 1967, a pro football record. They helped the formidable front four hold opposing teams without a 100-yard rusher for seventeen consecutive games in 1964 and 1965, and achieved American Football League championships in both those years.
In the 1964 AFL championship game against the San Diego Chargers, he made the memorable "hit heard 'round the world". The Chargers led 7-0 and were marching toward another score when Stratton tackled the Chargers' Hall of Famer Keith Lincoln, putting him out of the game. The Bills shut out San Diego for the rest of the game, and won, 20-7. Stratton was selected to the All-Time All-AFL second team.
wn.com/Mike_Stratton -
Mike Wagner
Michael Robert Wagner (born June 22, 1949 in Waukegan, Illinois) is a former American football player with the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He won four Super Bowls as a safety on the famed Steel Curtain defense.
Wagner played college football at Western Illinois University, earning NAIA All-American status in 1969. He was added to the Western Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame in 1976.
He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 11th round of the 1971 NFL Draft. Wagner, who tied for the NFL lead with eight interceptions in 1973, appeared in the 1975 and 1976 Pro Bowls and recorded 36 career interceptions and 12 fumble recoveries. He won four Super Bowls, recording interceptions in Super Bowl IX and Super Bowl X, in a 10-year career before retiring in 1980.
Wagner is currently a defensive backs coach at Pine-Richland High School in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania. He was interviewed for the NFL Films documentary series America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions on the 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers.
wn.com/Mike_Wagner -
Mike Webster
Michael Lewis "Iron Mike" Webster (March 18, 1952 – September 24, 2002) was an American football player who played center in the National Football League from 1974 to 1990 with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "Iron Mike" anchored the Steelers' offensive line during much of their run of four Super Bowl victories from 1974 to 1979 and is considered by some as the best center in NFL history.
Mike Webster was regarded as the best center in the Big Ten during most of his career at the University of Wisconsin. At 6-foot-1, 255 pounds, he was drafted in the 5th round of the 1974 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Serving as a backup at center and guard for two years and being mentored by veteran Ray Mansfield, Mike became the team's starting center in 1976, where he would remain for 150 straight games until 1986. These years included four Super Bowl wins by the Steelers, and Mike and Terry Bradshaw are consequently one of the most well-known center-quarterback pairs in history. Webster was honored as an All-Pro seven times and played in the Pro Bowl nine times. An avid weightlifter, Webster was known for playing with bare arms to intimidate his opponents on even the coldest of Pittsburgh winter afternoons. Webster is also perhaps the best-known of a long line of All-Pro centers for the Steelers from 1964 to 2006, which primarily included just four men in 43 years: Mansfield, Webster, Dermontti Dawson, and Jeff Hartings. In his last year in Pittsburgh, Webster returned the favor by mentoring the then-rookie Dawson in the same manner Mansfield mentored Webster earlier in his career.
wn.com/Mike_Webster -
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.; January 17, 1942) is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist. Considered a cultural icon, Ali was both idolized and vilified.
Originally known as Cassius Clay, Ali changed his name after joining the Nation of Islam in 1964, subsequently converting to Sunni Islam in 1975, and more recently practicing Sufism.[clarification needed] In 1967, three years after Ali had won the World Heavyweight Championship, he was publicly vilified for his refusal to be conscripted into the U.S. military, based on his religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War. Ali stated, "I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong... No Viet Cong ever called me nigger" – one of the more telling remarks of the era.
Widespread protests against the Vietnam War had not yet begun, but with that one phrase, Ali articulated the reason to oppose the war for a generation of young Americans, and his words served as a touchstone for the racial and antiwar upheavals that would rock the 1960s. Ali's example inspired Martin Luther King Jr. – who had been reluctant to alienate the Johnson Administration and its support of the civil rights agenda – to voice his own opposition to the war for the first time.
wn.com/Muhammad_Ali -
Nate Clements
Nathan D. Clements (born December 12, 1979 in Shaker Heights, Ohio) is an American football cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills 21st overall in the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State.
He has also played for the San Francisco 49ers.
Clements was born to Nathan Clements, Sr. and Emma Clements in Shaker Heights, Ohio and graduated from Shaker Heights High School. Nate's father was strict and did not allow Nate to date while in high school. Clements excelled at both defensive back and quarterback and was named an All-American by USA Today, Blue Chip Illustrated and Super Prep.
Clements was also named first team All-Ohio during a season in which he had seven interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. He also returned two kicks for touchdowns. Clements led the Raiders to a playoff berth in 1997 and led them past a Euclid Panther team that featured Notre Dame back Tony Fisher. Clements also holds the Shaker record for career interceptions with 14. The school retired his number 20 jersey in 2005.
wn.com/Nate_Clements -
Nick Buoniconti
Nicholas Anthony Buoniconti (born December 15, 1940) is a former American Football League and NFL Hall of Fame middle linebacker, who played for the Boston Patriots and Miami Dolphins.
Born on December 15, 1940 in Springfield, Massachusetts, Buoniconti graduated from Notre Dame, and was drafted by the American Football League's Patriots in the thirteenth round of the 1962 AFL draft.
As a tackle, Buoniconti was the captain of the 1961 Notre Dame football team, but was considered by NFL scouts as "too small" to play pro football. Drafted by the Boston Patriots in the 1962 American Football League college draft and switched to linebacker, Buoniconti made an immediate impact, as he was named the team's rookie of the year. The following year, he helped Boston capture the 1963 AFL Eastern Division title. With Boston, he appeared in five AFL All-Star Games, and recorded 24 interceptions, which is still the seventh-most in team history. He was named 2nd team All-AFL in 1963 and the following season began a run of five consensus All-AFL seasons in the following six seasons, missing only 1968 when he was named second-team All-AFL. Buoniconti is a member of the Patriots All-1960s (AFL) Team and the AFL All-Time Team.
wn.com/Nick_Buoniconti -
Nicole Brown Simpson
Nicole Brown Simpson (May 19, 1959 – June 12, 1994) was a former wife of professional football player O. J. Simpson.
Brown met O. J. Simpson in 1977 while working as a waitress at a Beverly Hills nightclub, Trey's. Although he was still married to his first wife Marguerite, Simpson and Brown began dating. Simpson and Marguerite divorced in March 1980. Brown and Simpson were married on February 2, 1985, five years after his retirement from professional football. They had two children together, Sydney Brooke (born October 17, 1985) and Justin Ryan Simpson (born August 6, 1988). The marriage lasted seven years, during which Simpson pleaded no contest to spousal abuse in 1989. Brown filed for divorce on February 25, 1992 citing "irreconcilable differences".
In his hypothetical memoir If I Did It, Simpson describes Brown as having a dual personality-- one caring and another reflexively hostile. Simpson depicts Brown as often emotionally abusive and states that Brown would continuously argue with him, often over irrelevant and pointless things. Simpson also describes Brown as a habitual user of illegal drugs. Book ghostwriter/co-writer Pablo Fenjves later described Simpson's views as self-delusion.
wn.com/Nicole_Brown_Simpson -
Nile Kinnick
Nile Clarke Kinnick, Jr. (July 9, 1918 – June 2, 1943) was a student and a college football player at the University of Iowa. He won the 1939 Heisman Trophy and was a consensus All-American. He died during a training flight while serving as a U.S Navy aviator in World War II. Kinnick was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951, and the University of Iowa renamed its football stadium "Kinnick Stadium" in his honor in 1972.
Nile Clarke Kinnick, Jr., was the son of Nile Clark Kinnick, Sr., and Francis Clarke. He had two younger brothers, Ben and George. His maternal grandfather, George W. Clarke, graduated from the University of Iowa in 1878 and served two two-year terms as the Governor of Iowa from 1912 to 1916.
Nile's parents were devoted to the teachings of Christian Science and helped Nile develop values of discipline, hard work, and strong morals. Nile was reportedly constantly thinking about self-improvement and working on turning personal weaknesses into strengths.
Kinnick began showing athletic aptitude at a young age as well. As a youth, he played on a Junior Legion baseball team with the future major leaguer Bob Feller.
wn.com/Nile_Kinnick -
Nolan Ryan
Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. (born on January 31, 1947), nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers.
During a major league record 27-year baseball career, he pitched in 1966 and from 1968 to 1993 for four different teams: the New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.
Ryan, a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher, threw pitches that were regularly recorded above 100 miles per hour (160.93 km/h). The high velocity remained throughout his career, even into his 40s. Ryan was also known to throw a devastating 12–6 curveball at exceptional velocity for a breaking ball.
While his lifetime winning percentage was a relatively pedestrian .526, Ryan was an eight-time MLB All-Star, and his 5,714 career strikeouts rank first in baseball history by a significant margin. He leads the runner-up, Randy Johnson, by 839 strikeouts. Similarly, Ryan's 2,795 bases on balls lead second-place Steve Carlton by 962—walking over 50% more hitters than any other pitcher in Major League history. Other than Jackie Robinson (whose number was retired by the entire MLB), Ryan is currently the only major league baseball player to have his number retired by at least 3 different teams: the Angels, Astros, and Rangers.
wn.com/Nolan_Ryan -
Orel Hershiser
Orel Leonard Hershiser IV (born September 16, 1958) is an American former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He is currently an analyst for Baseball Tonight and Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN and a professional poker player for PokerStars. In 1988, he won the Gold Glove, Cy Young Award, the NLCS MVP and the World Series MVP with the Dodgers.
Known for his slight frame and fierce competitive spirit, Hershiser was nicknamed "Bulldog" by team manager Tommy Lasorda.
Hershiser was born in Buffalo, New York to Mildred I. Gillman and Orel Leonard Hershiser III. From 1973 to 1975, he participated in ice hockey with the Don Mills Flyers of the Greater Toronto Hockey League. He attended Cherry Hill High School East in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, where he was the star pitcher on the school's baseball team. He first caught the attention of pro scouts as a pitcher at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.
Hershiser was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 17th round of the 1979 amateur draft and was assigned to their Class A farm team, Clinton Dodgers. He spent four more seasons in the minor leagues with AA San Antonio Dodgers and AAA Albuquerque Dukes before being called up to the major leagues.
wn.com/Orel_Hershiser -
Orlando Pace
Orlando Lamar Pace (born November 4, 1975) is a former American college and professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for thirteen seasons. He played college football for Ohio State University, and was twice recognized as an All-American. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams first overall in the 1997 NFL Draft, and he played professionally for the Rams for twelve years. Pace started all 16 regular season games eight times in his pro career, and blocked for three straight NFL MVPs (Kurt Warner in 1999, 2001; and Marshall Faulk in 2000). He was the cornerstone of a Rams offensive line that blocked for an offense that compiled more gross yards than any other team during his 12 years in St. Louis (50,770 in 12 seasons), finished second in completion percentage (61.8 percent) and fifth in touchdown passes (289) over that time. Under Pace's protection, the Rams' passing offense compiled more than 3,000 yards in all 12 of his NFL seasons, seven different quarterbacks eclipsed the 3,000-yard mark in a season, including three times surpassing the 4,000-yard mark, and also blocked for seven 1,000-yard rushers. Pace started 154 consecutive games.
wn.com/Orlando_Pace -
Otis Armstrong
Otis Armstrong (born November 15, 1950) was a running back in the NFL. He was selected in the 1st round (9th overall) in the 1973 NFL draft. He played for the Denver Broncos for his entire career from 1973-1980.
Armstrong attended Farragut High School in Chicago, and was inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame.
Before his NFL career, Armstrong played for Purdue University becoming the school's all-time leading rusher and leader in all-purpose yards. Armstrong was selected to Purdue's All-Time team in 1987 as part of a celebration of 100 years of football at Purdue. He was inducted into the Purdue Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame in 1997.
Armstrong finished his 3 college seasons with 4,601 All-purpose yards (3,315 rushing yards, 897 yards from kickoff returns and 389 passing yards). He also scored 24 touchdowns (17 rushing and 7 on returns). He was selected the Big Ten MVP in 1972, leading the league in rushing and total offense, while being selected 1st team All-Conference. He participated in 4 All-Star games; the Hula Bowl, the East-West Shrine Game, the Coaches' All-American Game and the Chicago College All-Star game.
wn.com/Otis_Armstrong -
Ottis Anderson
Ottis Jerome "O.J." Anderson (born January 19, 1957) is a former American football running back. He was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press (AP) with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1979, and the MVP of Super Bowl XXV in 1991 when playing with the New York Giants. He played college football at the University of Miami.
Anderson was born and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was a football and track star at Forest Hill High School in West Palm Beach, Florida before graduating in 1975. He went on to attend the University of Miami on a full athletic scholarship and earned a degree in Physical Education. During his college career, Anderson broke Chuck Foreman’s career rushing records at the University of Miami, becoming the first player to rush for more than 1,000 yards in the school’s history his senior year with 1,266 yards. He was named The Sporting News and the American Football Coaches First Team All-American and received All-American honorable mentions by both AP and UPI and graduated in 1979 as the team's all-time leading rusher with 3,331 yards.
wn.com/Ottis_Anderson -
Otto Graham
Otto Everett Graham, Jr. (December 6, 1921 – December 17, 2003) was a professional American football and basketball player who played for the Cleveland Browns in both the All-America Football Conference and National Football League, as well as the Rochester Royals in the National Basketball League.
Born in Waukegan, Illinois, USA, Graham grew up with a strong connection to music, with his father serving as Waukegan High School's band director. However, it would be on a variety of athletic fields where Graham's talents would manifest, making him the most famous native of Waukegan since comedian Jack Benny.
Graham graduated from Northwestern University, attending the school on a basketball scholarship. He was an active member of the Alpha Delta Phi social fraternity. In 1944, he was named an All-American in basketball. He was talked into playing football by Northwestern's head football coach, Lynn Waldorf, who saw him throwing a football on campus. By the time he was finished, he had played four years of basketball, three of football, two of baseball and also played the cornet in the Wildcats' school band. Graham's time on the football field would be spent at tailback. He finished third in the 1943 Heisman Trophy voting. Graham left Northwestern with the school record for total offensive yards (2,938), a record which would stand until 1964.
wn.com/Otto_Graham -
Pablo Fenjves
Pablo F. Fenjves (born 16 August 1953) is a screenwriter and ghostwriter based in Los Angeles, California best known for ghostwriting O.J. Simpson's account of the O.J. Simpson murder case.
Born in Caracas, Venezuela to Hungarian survivors of the Holocaust, Fenjves went to college in Illinois. His first journalism job was in Canada. He joined the National Enquirer in Florida in the late 1970s, where he befriended Judith Regan.
Hired by Regan, Fenjves has ghostwritten a dozen books, including two number one New York Times best-sellers. Fenjves also wrote the autobiography of Bernie Mac, Maybe You Never Cry Again, and the memoirs of Janice Dickinson. Under the name James Pinocchio, he wrote a parody of A Million Little Pieces called A Million Little Lies. He also continues to write screenplays, and has more than ten television movies to his credit including Bloodhounds, Twilight Man and Bloodhounds II. Upcoming books include one for José Canseco called Vindicated about steroid use in Major League Baseball, television psychic Lisa Williams and a business memoir of the self-made multi-millionaire Internet tycoon Gurbaksh Chahal.
wn.com/Pablo_Fenjves -
Pat Gillick
Lawrence Patrick David Gillick (born (1937-08-22)August 22, 1937) is a retired American professional baseball executive. He was the general manager of four Major League Baseball teams, and guided two teams to three World Series championships in his career: 1992 and 1993 titles with the Toronto Blue Jays, and a 2008 title with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Gillick was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011.
Gillick was born to former minor league baseball player Larry Gillick in Chico, California. In 1951, he earned his Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America. He continued to stay involved in Scouting and received the Order of the Arrow's Vigil Honor mere months after winning the College World Series at USC. After graduating from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California, Pat attended USC and joined the Delta Chi Fraternity. He graduated in 1958 with a degree in business. He was also a gifted pitcher, playing on the 1958 National Title baseball team at USC and spending five years in the minor league systems of the Baltimore Orioles and the Pittsburgh Pirates, venturing as high as Triple-A. A left-hander, Gillick posted a won/lost record of 45–32 with an earned run average of 3.42 in 164 minor league games.
wn.com/Pat_Gillick -
Paul Giel
Paul Robert Giel (February 29, 1932 – May 22, 2002) was a football and baseball player from Winona, Minnesota.
Giel attended the University of Minnesota, where he was a star quarterback for the Gophers. His career totals were 2,188 yards rushing, 1,922 yards passing. Giel received the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the Big Ten's Most Valuable Player twice, in 1952 and 1953, was named All-American twice, and was the runner-up to Johnny Lattner of Notre Dame for the Heisman Trophy in 1953. Giel was United Press International Player of the Year, Associated Press Back of the Year, and captain of his team in 1953. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1975.
Giel was also a baseball pitcher. After his collegiate days he pitched in the major leagues for the New York and San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, Minnesota Twins, and Kansas City Athletics. After his retirement from baseball, Giel was a color commentator on Minnesota Vikings radio broadcasts from 1962 to 1969, and served as the University of Minnesota's Director of Athletics from 1971 to 1989.
wn.com/Paul_Giel -
Paul Governali
Paul Vincent "Pitchin' Paul" Governali (January 5, 1921 – February 14, 1978) was a professional American football quarterback in the National Football League. An All-American at Columbia University, he was the 1942 recipient of the Maxwell Award for College Player of the Year and the first runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. At quarterback, he passed for 1,442 yards in nine games that season, threw 19 passes for touchdowns, and completed 52 percent of his passes, all new collegiate records. He was also among the leading punters in the nation. He still holds the Columbia record for touchdown passes in one game (five).
After graduating in 1943, he passed up offers from both professional baseball and football teams to enlist in the US Marines, where he served for three years.
He went on to play for the National Football League's Boston Yanks and New York Giants (1946-1948).
After a lackluster 1948 season, Governali retired from professional football and returned to Columbia, where he worked as an assistant coach while pursuing his doctorate in education, which he received in 1951.
wn.com/Paul_Governali -
Paul Hornung
Paul Vernon Hornung (born December 23, 1935) is a retired Hall of Fame professional football player who played for the Green Bay Packers from 1957-66. He, O.J Simpson,Earl Campbell are the only people to have won the Heisman Trophy, been selected as first overall National Football League draft picks, and been inducted into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame.
A versatile player, he was a halfback, quarterback, and placekicker. Hornung was an excellent all-around athlete who also played college basketball.
Hornung was an outstanding athlete at Bishop Benedict Joseph Flaget High School in Louisville (now closed), having lettered four years each in football, basketball, and baseball. He was recruited by Bear Bryant at Kentucky, but chose to attend Notre Dame instead.
wn.com/Paul_Hornung -
Paul Krause
Paul James Krause (born February 19, 1942) is a former American football defensive back who played in the National Football League. He set the NFL record for interceptions with 81, which he picked off from 45 different quarterbacks, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.
Krause attended and played high school football at Bendle High School in Burton, Michigan and earned all-state honors in basketball, football, baseball and track. Known for once scoring 54 points in a basketball game, he was one of the few in his high school to ever receive an athletic scholarship.
Krause attended and played college football at the University of Iowa. Krause was a two-way starter as a wide receiver and defensive back. As a senior in 1963, he tied the Iowa record with six touchdown pass receptions and was selected for the Senior Bowl, the East-West Shrine game, the Coaches' All-American game and the College All-Star game.
Krause also played baseball at Iowa. As a sophomore, he earned All-American honors and was drafted into the major leagues, but he turned down the offer. Krause's chances to play professional baseball were ended when he injured his shoulder in his junior year playing football against the University of Michigan.
wn.com/Paul_Krause -
Paul Salata
Paul Thomas Salata (born October 17, 1926 in Los Angeles, California) is a former professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) and the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). He played for the AAFC/NFL's San Francisco 49ers (1949–1950) and the AAFC's Baltimore Colts (1950) . After the Colts franchise folded in 1950 he was declared draft-eligible and was subsequently drafted in the tenth round of the 1951 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also played 2 final seasons in Canada; 1952 with the Calgary Stampeders, where he was an all-star, and 1953 with the Ottawa Rough Riders.
In later years, Salata became famous for creating the Mr. Irrelevant Award in the NFL Draft, awarded annually to the last overall pick in the year's draft.
He has also acted in a number of Hollywood movies.
References:
wn.com/Paul_Salata -
Paul Warfield
Paul Dryden Warfield (born November 28, 1942 in Warren, Ohio) is a former professional American football wide receiver in the 1960s and 1970s known for his speed, fluid moves, grace, jumping ability and hands.
Warfield graduated from Warren G. Harding High School in Warren, Ohio in 1960. He was a star running back and defensive back for the Panthers, joining the varsity as a sophomore in 1957. In 1958, Warfield ran for 810 yards and scored 15 touchdowns - a campaign highlighted by a 6-0 victory over the powerhouse Massillon Tigers. Warfield ran for 1158 yards in 1959 and hit the paydirt 13 times. Warfield also set a state mark in the long jump.
He graduated from The Ohio State University where he shined as a two time all Big 10 halfback in the 1962-1963 season and as a track team sprinter, jumper and hurdler. Warfield played for the Cleveland Browns as a wide receiver from 1964 to 1969. In 1970, he was traded to the Miami Dolphins for a draft pick which the Browns used on Purdue University All-American quarterback Mike Phipps. Phipps had limited success for the Browns and Warfield was a major factor in the Dolphins' championships in the early 1970s.
wn.com/Paul_Warfield -
Pepper Martin
Johnny Leonard Roosevelt "Pepper" Martin (February 29, 1904 – March 5, 1965) was an American professional baseball player and minor league manager. He was known as the Wild Horse of the Osage because of his daring, aggressive baserunning abilities. Martin played in Major League Baseball as a third baseman and an outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals during the 1930s and early 1940s. He was best known for his heroics during the 1931 World Series, in which he was the catalyst in a Cardinals' upset victory over the Philadelphia Athletics.
Martin was an integral member of the Cardinals' teams of the 1930s that became known as the Gashouse Gang for their roguish behavior and practical jokes. Early in his career, he was labeled by some contemporary press reports as the next Ty Cobb because of his spirited, hustling style of play. However, because his headlong attitude on the playing field took a physical toll on his body, he never lived up to those initial expectations. After the end of his playing career, he continued his career in baseball as a successful minor league baseball manager.
wn.com/Pepper_Martin -
Perry Tuttle
Perry Tuttle is a former Clemson football standout in the early 1980s. His career continued into the National Football League (Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Atlanta Falcons) and Canadian Football League (Winnipeg Blue Bombers). Now, he is known for his inspirational speaking, sports marketing, and sports ministry.
Perry Warren Tuttle was born on August 2, 1959 in Lexington, North Carolina to Russell Samuel and Betty Mae Tuttle. He attended North Davidson High School and was a standout player throughout his high school career. His successes in high school led to his recruitment by and later him attending Clemson University.
The prime of Tuttle football career was during his three seasons (1978-1981) at Clemson University. As of the 2008 Clemson football season, Tuttle ranks 2nd all-time for touchdown receptions with 17, 2nd all-time for receiving yards with 2,534, 4th all-time for receptions with 150, and 9th all-time yards per catch with 16.82. Tuttle cthe winning touchdown pass in the 1981 Orange Bowl, which secured the National Championship for the Tigers. His celebration after the TD catch in the 3rd quarter, arms outstretched above his head with ball in hand, made the cover of the January 11, 1982 edition of Sports Illustrated with the caption stating, “Orange Bowl Hero Perry Tuttle of Clemson.” In 1991, Clemson added Tuttle to their Hall of Fame, and in 1996, he was named as a member of Clemson’s Centennial team. Later in 1999, “a panel of historians ranked Tuttle as the 14th best player in Clemson football history.”
wn.com/Perry_Tuttle -
Pete Dawkins
Peter Miller Dawkins (born March 8, 1938) is a Heisman Trophy winner, Rhodes Scholar, U.S. Army Brigadier General, and Republican candidate for Senate. He is the former vice chairman of Citigroup Private Bank.
At age 11, he was successfully treated for polio with aggressive physical therapy. After earning a scholarship, Dawkins entered Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. There he was an all-league quarterback, and captain of the baseball team. He graduated from Cranbrook in the class of 1955 and was accepted for admission by two major institutions of higher learning.
Accepted by Yale University, Dawkins chose instead to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. He won high honors, serving as Brigade Commander, President of his Class, Captain of the football team, and a "Star Man" in the top five percent of his class academically. A cadet is considered outstanding if he attains one of these positions. Dawkins was the only cadet in history to hold all four at once. He was featured in Life Magazine and Reader's Digest. Even before his graduation, many predicted the bright young man would make General and perhaps even be Army Chief of Staff. Dawkins was selected for the Heisman Trophy and the Maxwell Award as a halfback for Army in 1958, and an All American under coach Earl Blaik. He was also an Assistant Captain for the hockey team. At Oxford, he won three Blues in rugby and is credited with popularizing the overarm throw (originally called the "Yankee torpedo pass") into the lineout.
wn.com/Pete_Dawkins -
Pete Retzlaff
Palmer Edward "Pete" Retzlaff, nicknamed "Pistol Pete" and "The Baron", (born August 21, 1931 in Ellendale, North Dakota) is a former professional American football player and general manager.
Retzlaff played football at Ellendale High School in Ellendale, North Dakota and starred in track and field and football at South Dakota State College. In 1952, he rushed for 1,016 yards.
He was selected in the 1953 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions of the National Football League but did not make the team. After two years in the army, he was sold to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he played at running back, wide receiver, and tight end for eleven seasons. In 1958, despite never having caught a pass in college, he led the NFL with 56 pass receptions. He went to the Pro Bowl five times, and won the Bert Bell Award for NFL player of the year in 1965, when he caught 66 passes including ten touchdowns. He also served as president of the NFL Players Association.
From 1969 to 1972, he served as the Eagles' vice president and general manager. In 1973 and 1974, he worked as a color analyst for NFL coverage on CBS television.
wn.com/Pete_Retzlaff -
Pete Rose
Peter Edward Rose (born April 14, 1941), nicknamed "Charlie Hustle", is a former Major League Baseball player and manager. Rose played from 1963 to 1986, and managed from 1984 to 1989.
Rose, a switch hitter, is the all-time Major League leader in hits (4,256), games played (3,562), at-bats (14,053) and outs (10,328). He won three World Series rings, three batting titles, one Most Valuable Player Award, two Gold Gloves, the Rookie of the Year Award, and made 17 All-Star appearances at an unequaled five different positions (2B, LF, RF, 3B & 1B).
In August 1989, three years after he retired as an active player, Rose agreed to permanent ineligibility from baseball amidst accusations that he gambled on baseball games while playing for and managing the Reds, including claims that he bet on his own team. In 1991, the Baseball Hall of Fame formally voted to ban those on the "permanently ineligible" list from induction, after previously excluding such players by informal agreement among voters. In 2004, after years of public denial, Rose admitted to betting on baseball and on, but not against, the Reds. The issue of Rose's possible re-instatement, and election, to the Hall of Fame remains a contentious one throughout baseball.
wn.com/Pete_Rose -
Pete Rozelle
Alvin Ray "Pete" Rozelle (/rɵˈzɛl/; March 1, 1926 – December 6, 1996) was the commissioner of the National Football League (NFL) from January 1960 to November 1989, when he retired from office. Rozelle is credited with making the NFL into one of the most successful sports leagues in the world.
Rozelle was born in South Gate, California and grew up in neighboring Lynwood, California during the Great Depression. He graduated from Compton High School in 1944, lettering in baseball and basketball. He was drafted into the Navy in 1944 and served 18 months in the Pacific on an oil tanker. Rozelle began his career at the University of San Francisco, working as a student publicist for the school's football team. He had already worked in public relations for the Los Angeles Rams front office and while in the athletic office at USF he marketed the Don's National Invitation Tournament championship basketball season of 1949 into a national media event. He graduated from USF in 1950.
He held a series of public relations jobs in Southern California, marketing the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia for a Los Angeles based company. He joined the Los Angeles Rams as its public relations specialist. By 1957, Rozelle was offered the GM job with the Rams. He turned a disorganized, unprofitable team, lost in the growing LA market, into a business success.
wn.com/Pete_Rozelle -
Peter Ueberroth
Peter Victor Ueberroth (/ˈjuːbərɒθ/; born September 2, 1937) is an American executive. He served as the sixth Commissioner of Major League Baseball from 1984 to 1989. He was recently the chairman of the United States Olympic Committee; he was replaced by Larry Probst in October 2008.
Although Ueberroth was born in Evanston, Illinois, he grew up in northern California. While attending Fremont High School, Ueberroth excelled in football, baseball, and swimming. After graduating from high school, Ueberroth attended San Jose State University on an athletic scholarship. While attending San Jose State he joined Delta Upsilon. He competed in the 1956 United States Olympic water polo trials but failed to make the team. Ueberroth ultimately graduated from San Jose State in 1959 with a degree in business.
After college, Ueberroth became a vice president and shareholder in Trans International Airlines (he was 22 years old at the time). Ueberroth worked at Trans International until 1963, when he founded his own travel company, which would become First Travel Corporation. By the time he sold First Travel in 1980, it was the second largest travel business in North America.
wn.com/Peter_Ueberroth -
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American football quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Indianapolis Colts for 14 seasons from 1998–2011. He is the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning and an elder brother of New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning.
Manning played college football at the University of Tennessee, leading the Volunteers to the 1997 SEC Championship in his senior season. He was chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. From 1998 to 2010, he led the Colts to seven AFC South division championships, two AFC championships, and to a Super Bowl championship (Super Bowl XLI). He has won a record four league most valuable player awards, was the most valuable player of Super Bowl XLI, has been named to eleven Pro Bowls, has eleven 4,000-yard passing seasons (including a record six straight), and is the Indianapolis Colts' all-time leader in passing yards (54,828) and touchdown passes (399). In 2009, he was named the best player in the NFL and Fox Sports along with Sports Illustrated named him the NFL player of the decade of the 2000s.
wn.com/Peyton_Manning -
Phil Dokes
Philip Dennis Dokes (born September 7, 1955 in Little Rock, Arkansas, died December 7, 1989) was a National Football League defensive end/defensive tackle who played for two seasons. He played for the Buffalo Bills from 1977 to 1978. He was named to the 1976 College Football All-America Team as a defensive tackle while playing college football at Oklahoma State University.
wn.com/Phil_Dokes -
Phil Villapiano
Philip James Villapiano (born February 26, 1949 in Long Branch, New Jersey) is a former American football linebacker in the NFL. The 6-2 220-pound Villapiano played in four Pro Bowls and was a member of the Oakland Raiders Super Bowl XI winning team. Phil was Defensive AFC Rookie of the Year in 1971 and was an NFL Hall of Fame nominee.
Villapiano played college football at Bowling Green State University, and high school football at both Asbury Park High School and Ocean Township High School.
Phil is married and has three children; Andrea, Phil, and Michael. Michael is a QB who led his teams to a 2011 New England Prep School Championship, while at Cheshire Academy, Cheshire, CT, and a 2010 New Jersey State Championship (CJII), while at Rumson-Fair Haven High School. He will play football for Brown University beginning Fall 2012.
Phil has been in the International Logistics business for over thirty years, starting during offseasons while playing with the Raiders. Currently, Phil provides logistics solutions for domestic and international companies as Vice President of Sales for Odyssey Logistics & Technology, a global logistics leader, based in Danbury, CT.
wn.com/Phil_Villapiano -
Priest Holmes
Priest Anthony Holmes (born October 7, 1973 in Fort Smith, Arkansas) is a former American football running back of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 1997. He played college football at Texas.
Holmes earned a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV. After rushing for just over 2,000 yards in four seasons in Baltimore, Holmes experienced breakout success after signing with the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent in 2001. During his seven-year stint with the Chiefs, Holmes was a three-time All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowl selection and was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2002. Holmes sat out the 2006 season with a neck injury, and after a brief comeback attempt in 2007 retired from the NFL. Holmes was also inducted into the University of Texas Hall of Honor, and the Texas High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.
Priest Anthony Holmes was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Although he carries the last name of his biological father, he never met the man, only seeing him for the first time at his funeral. He was raised in San Antonio, Texas by his mother Norma, and stepfather Herman Morris. When he was thirteen years old, Holmes spent a summer in Detroit, Michigan, working for his grandfather's lawn care service. Working with much older men for twelve hours a day, six days a week, Holmes learned the work ethic that later shaped him as a football player.
wn.com/Priest_Holmes -
Rafer Johnson
Rafer Lewis Johnson (born August 18, 1935) is an American former decathlete and film actor.
Johnson was born in Hillsboro, Texas, but the family moved to Kingsburg, California, when he was nine. For a while, they were the only black family in the town. A versatile athlete, he played on Kingsburg High School's football, baseball and basketball teams. He was also elected class president in both junior high and high school. At 16, he became attracted to the decathlon after seeing double Olympic champion Bob Mathias compete and told his coach, "I could have beaten most of those guys."
He competed in his first meet in 1954 as a freshman at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His progress in the event was impressive; he broke the world record in his fourth competition. He pledged Pi Lambda Phi fraternity, America's first nondiscriminatory fraternity, and was class president at UCLA. In 1955, in Mexico City, he won the title at the Pan American Games.
Johnson qualified for both the decathlon and the long jump events for the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne. However, he was hampered by an injury and forfeited his place in the long jump. Despite this handicap, he managed to take second place in the decathlon behind compatriot Milt Campbell. It would turn out to be his last defeat in the event.
wn.com/Rafer_Johnson -
Raghib Ismail
Raghib Ramadian "Rocket" Ismail (born November 18, 1969) is an American former American and Canadian football player. A wide receiver and kick returner he played in both the Canadian Football League and the National Football League, after playing college football at Notre Dame.
Ismail recorded two 1,000-yard receiving seasons in the NFL and was a CFL All-Star in 1991, as well as the Most Valuable Player of the 79th Grey Cup.
In 2004, CollegeFootballNews.com named Ismail the No. 75 player on its list of the Top 100 Greatest College Football Players of All-Time.
Ismail grew up in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and attended Elmer L. Meyers Junior/Senior High School. He first came to prominence as a receiver for the University of Notre Dame.
Notre Dame won the College Football National Championship in 1988, placed second in 1989 winning the 1990 Orange Bowl against Colorado, and again went to the 1991 Orange Bowl, losing to Colorado 10–9. In that game, he returned a punt 91 yards for a touchdown that would have won the game for Notre Dame and stopped Colorado from winning a share of the National Championship, however the play was called back on a clipping penalty sealing the Irish defeat. After the 1990 season, Ismail finished second in the voting for the Heisman Trophy as the top college football player, losing to Brigham Young University Quarterback Ty Detmer.
wn.com/Raghib_Ismail -
Ralph Wilson
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. (born October 17, 1918) is the founder, owner and president of NFL's Buffalo Bills. He was one of the founding owners of the American Football League, the league that the NFL merged with in 1970, and is the last of the original AFL owners still owning his team in its original city. He is the oldest owner in the National Football League, at age 93. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 8, 2009.
Wilson grew up in Detroit, Michigan, graduated from the University of Virginia and attended the University of Michigan Law School. At the University of Virginia he joined the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He is a World War II veteran. After the war ended, he took over the successful insurance business of his father and invested in Michigan area mines and factories. He eventually purchased several manufacturing outlets, construction firms, and radio stations, and founded Ralph Wilson Industries.
A minority owner of the Detroit Lions, Wilson got wind of Lamar Hunt's plans for a new league, the American Football League, to challenge the NFL. He tried to put together a team in Miami, but was turned down. His next choice was Buffalo. In September 1959, Wilson sent Hunt a telegram with the words, "Count me in with Buffalo." He named his new team the Bills, after a previous team that had played in the All-America Football Conference from 1946 to 1949. On October 28, 1959 the Buffalo Bills officially became the seventh AFL team. Wilson made Professional Football a resounding success in a "small market," signing such stars as Cookie Gilchrist, Jack Kemp, Orenthal James "O. J." Simpson' and Tom Sestak and Hall of Famer Billy Shaw.
wn.com/Ralph_Wilson -
Randall Cunningham
Randall W. Cunningham (born March 27, 1963) is a former American football quarterback.
After playing college football at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, he was selected in the second round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, with whom he remained through the 1995 season. He announced his retirement from football following the end of that season, taking a job as an analyst for TNT in 1996. The following year, however, he resumed his playing career. He played for the Minnesota Vikings (1997–1999), the Dallas Cowboys (2000), and the Baltimore Ravens (2001). Cunningham then re-signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and retired for good in 2002.[citation needed] He won the Bert Bell Award in 1990, the height of the 'Ultimate Weapon' stories. He is the younger brother of former college and professional football player Sam Cunningham who played for the New England Patriots.
Cunningham attended Santa Barbara High School in Santa Barbara, California, and was a graduate of the class of 1981. As a senior, he led his team to a League title and the CIF Finals. He then went on to attend the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. He was a 1983 and 1984 College Football All-America Team selection as a punter. In 1984, his junior year, he led the Rebels to an 11-2 season—still the school's only 10-win season ever. Cunningham opted to turn pro after that season, but returned to graduate with a bachelors degree in leisure studies in 2004.
wn.com/Randall_Cunningham -
Randy Duncan
Hearst Randolph "Randy" Duncan, Jr. (born March 15, 1937 in Osage, Iowa) is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback. He played college football at the University of Iowa. He played in two Rose Bowls (1957, 1959) and has been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Duncan played professionally for Canadian Football League's BC Lions and the American Football League's Dallas Texans.
Randy Duncan was born to Hearst and Louise Duncan in 1937. Randy moved from Osage to Mason City before finally attending Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, Iowa. Duncan was a highly regarded prospect in both football and basketball. He was a first team all-state guard on the Roosevelt basketball team that lost in the 1954 state championship game. Duncan was a first team all-state quarterback for Roosevelt, leading his high school to an undefeated season and a state title in 1954. His high school football teams only lost two games during Duncan's three years there.
Duncan graduated from high school after the 1954 fall semester, and he was heavily recruited after choosing to play football. He nearly went to Colorado but instead decided to attend the University of Iowa. Duncan has said that the only reason he went to Iowa was because of his friendship with Iowa assistant coach Bump Elliott.
wn.com/Randy_Duncan -
Rashaan Salaam
Rashaan Iman Salaam (born October 8, 1974) is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for four seasons during the 1990s. Salaam played college football for the University of Colorado and won the 1994 Heisman Trophy. He was picked by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 1995 NFL Draft, and played professionally for the Bears and Cleveland Browns of the NFL.
Salaam was born in San Diego, California. He attended La Jolla Country Day School in suburban San Diego, and played eight-man high school football. He ran for over 100 yards in every game except one, and was recognized as a high school All-American. He was later inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame.
wn.com/Rashaan_Salaam -
Ray Bentley
Ray Russell Bentley (born November 25, 1960 in Grand Rapids, Michigan) is a former professional American football linebacker.
Bentley's first three years in professional football were spent with the Michigan Panthers and Oakland Invaders of the United States Football League.
He later joined the Buffalo Bills, and played six seasons with the team, including their first two Super Bowl years in the 1990s. Bentley's career ended with the Cincinnati Bengals in 1992.
Bentley worked as part of the The NFL on Fox broadcast team for four years from 1998 to 2001, doing both color commentary and play-by-play. He left Fox for a position as head coach and general manager of the Arena Football League's Buffalo Destroyers, and held that position for two years before resigning.
From 2003 to 2006, Bentley was a color commentator alongside play-by-play man Bob Papa on NBC's Arena Football League coverage, and since 2007 has served in that capacity for ESPN. In 2009, he began working for ABC as well. In 2007, Bentley returned to the Buffalo Bills as a play-by-play announcer for their preseason television games, a role he still serves. He is also an advisory member for the revival of the USFL.
wn.com/Ray_Bentley -
Ray Guy
William Ray Guy (born December 22, 1949) is a retired American football punter for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. Coming from the University of Southern Mississippi, he was the only pure punter ever to be drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft when the Oakland Raiders selected him in 1973.
Guy was a key member of three Super Bowl-winning Raiders teams: Super Bowls XI, XV, and XVIII. Arguably, his best performance was in Super Bowl XVIII against the Washington Redskins. When the Raiders' offense faltered just outside the field goal range of placekicker Chris Bahr, Guy, known for his power, showed a great deal of finesse by booting a 27-yard punt that pinned the Washington Redskins on their own 12-yard line late in the first half. On the very next play, the Raiders' Jack Squirek intercepted Washington quarterback Joe Theismann and returned it for a touchdown that gave them a 21-3 halftime lead.
Ray Guy was the first and only punter ever to be selected in the first round in the NFL Draft as of 2012. Ray Guy retired in 1986. During his career, Guy:
wn.com/Ray_Guy -
Ray Nitschke
Raymond Ernest "Ray" Nitschke (December 29, 1936 – March 8, 1998) was a professional football player who played his entire career as a middle linebacker for the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. Wearing #66, he played fifteen seasons, from 1958-72.
Nitschke was born on December 29, 1936 in Elmwood Park, Illinois. His father, Robert, and Nitschke's mother, Anna, had two other children, Robert Jr. (age 8) and Richard (age 4). His father was killed in a car accident in 1940. Anna died of a blood clot when Ray was 13. Robert (age 21) and Richard (age 17) decided they would raise Ray on their own.
Ray entered Proviso High School in Maywood shortly before his mother's death. The loss of both parents enraged Nitschke, and the lack of a parental disciplinarian to quell his rage, caused him to engage in fights with other kids in the neighborhood. His freshman year at Proviso, Ray played fullback on one of the school's three football teams. He was a poor student at school and his grades eventually caught up with him as he was declared academically ineligible to play sports his sophomore year. This embarrassment he would lament for the rest of his life.
wn.com/Ray_Nitschke -
Rayfield Wright
Larry Rayfield Wright (born August 23, 1945) is a former American football offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Wright attended Fairmont High School in Griffin, Georgia and was a letterman in basketball. Wright attended Fort Valley State College and was an All-American selection.
Unable to make his high school football team, he went to Fort Valley State College to play basketball. The following summer, coach Stan Lomax made him quit his summer job at a mill to get ready to join the football team.
Lomax tried Wright at free safety, then used him as a punter, defensive end and tight end. The coach also became a father figure to the fatherless Wright.
He was a standout basketball player at Fort Valley State College and was eventually drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1967 NFL Draft as a tight end.
During his first three years with Dallas, the six-foot-seven, 225-pound "Big Cat" was used as a tight end, defensive lineman, and offensive tackle.
wn.com/Rayfield_Wright -
Raymond Berry
Raymond Emmett Berry (born February 27, 1933) is a former football wide receiver. He played for the Baltimore Colts during their two NFL championship wins. He later had a career in coaching, highlighted by his trip to Super Bowl XX as head coach of the New England Patriots. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Raymond Berry enlisted as a private in the Maryland Army National Guard on May 17, 1957. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 684th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion (90 mm Gun), located near Baltimore. He subsequently served in Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 684th Missile Battalion (Nike); Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 224th Field Artillery Group; Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 691st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Group; and Company B, 16th Special Forces Group, all components of the Maryland National Guard.[citation needed] He was discharged from the National Guard in March 1963, at the end of his second enlistment, with the rank of Specialist Four.
wn.com/Raymond_Berry -
Reds Bagnell
Francis "Reds" Bagnell (September 15, 1928 – July 10, 1995) was an American football halfback in college. He was an All-American tailback for the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1951. He won the Maxwell Award, was runner-up for Heisman Trophy, and was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.
wn.com/Reds_Bagnell -
Reggie Bush
Reginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush, II (born March 2, 1985) is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Southern California from 2003 to 2005. Bush also went to the same High School as San Francisco 49ers QB Alex Smith
Bush won multiple collegiate awards, including the 2005 Heisman Trophy, but allegations that he received improper benefits were central to a controversy surrounding the USC program that led to severe NCAA sanctions against USC, including a two-year postseason ban, the loss of football scholarships and the vacating of wins in the 2004–05 championship season. On September 14, 2010, Bush voluntarily gave up his Heisman Trophy.
With the Saints, Bush won a Super Bowl title in 2010.
Bush was born March 2, 1985, in Spring Valley, California in the county of San Diego. He was a running back at Helix High School in La Mesa, California.
wn.com/Reggie_Bush -
Reggie White
Reginald Howard "Reggie" White (December 19, 1961 – December 26, 2004) was an American college and professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for fifteen seasons during the 1980s and 1990s. He played college football for the University of Tennessee, and was recognized as an All-American. After initially playing two professional seasons for the Memphis Showboats of the United States Football League (USFL), he was selected in the first round of the 1985 Supplemental Draft, and then played for the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers, becoming one of the most decorated players in NFL history. The two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 13-time Pro Bowl and 12-time All-Pro selection holds 2nd place all-time amongst career sack leaders with 198.5 (behind Bruce Smith's 200 career sacks) and was selected to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, NFL 1990s All-Decade Team and the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team. During his professional career, he was also known for his Christian ministry as an ordained Evangelical minister, leading to his nickname, "The Minister of Defense." White is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
wn.com/Reggie_White -
Renaldo Nehemiah
Renaldo ("Skeets") Nehemiah (born March 24, 1959 in Newark, New Jersey) is an American athlete who dominated the 110 m hurdle event from 1978 until 1981. He was the world record holder and the first man to run the high hurdles in under 13 seconds. He was ranked number one in the world for four straight years.
Nehemiah was the national junior champion in 1977, the same year he graduated from Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School in his hometown of Scotch Plains, New Jersey. Nehemiah's high school personal bests were 12.9 in the 110 meter hurdles and 35.8 in the 300 meter hurdles, so much faster than his competitors that his coach had him compete over 42 inch hurdles (collegiate height) and occasionally train over 45 inch hurdles. After graduating from Scotch Plains-Fanwood, Nehemiah attended the University of Maryland, where he won three NCAA titles (two indoor).
Nehemiah's sophomore year at UMD proved to be his breakout year. He broke the world record in the 110 meter hurdles twice in two weeks, running 13.16 and then 13.00. At the 1979 Penn Relays, Nehemiah anchored UMD's shuttle hurdle relay, 4x400 meter relay, and 4x200 meter relay, and was named meet MVP. During the relays he recorded an unofficial split of 19.4 seconds in the 4-by-200 meter relay and a 44.3 second split in the 4x400 meter relay. Nehemiah described his 400-meter leg as follows:
wn.com/Renaldo_Nehemiah -
Reuben Gant
Reuben Charles Gant (born April 12, 1952 in Tulsa, Oklahoma) is a former professional American football tight end in the National Football League for the Buffalo Bills. He played college football at Oklahoma State University.
wn.com/Reuben_Gant -
Rich Gannon
Richard Joseph Gannon (born December 20, 1965) is a former football quarterback, who achieved most of his success late in his career with the Oakland Raiders in the National Football League. He was the quarterback of the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII.
Gannon attended Saint Joseph's Preparatory School and won three varsity letters each in football and crew, and twice in basketball. Gannon exploded in his senior season, winning first team All-City as a punter and quarterback. He threw for 1,567 yards his senior season.
Gannon attended the University of Delaware, was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, and played under Tubby Raymond and ran Raymond's Wing-T offense. When he led the Raiders to Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003, he was the second of three players from the University of Delaware to go to the Super Bowl.
He was selected in the 4th round (98th overall) of the 1987 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, who envisioned converting him to a defensive back.[citation needed] Gannon balked at the idea, and he was quickly traded to the Minnesota Vikings. After two years of playing sparingly, in 1990 Gannon became the Vikings' starting quarterback, displacing incumbent Wade Wilson. Gannon was passed over for Sean Salisbury at the start of the postseason, after having led the team to an 11-5 record.
wn.com/Rich_Gannon -
Richie Lucas
Richard John "Riverboat Richie" Lucas (born April 15, 1938) is an American former collegiate and Professional Football quarterback, noteworthy as a College Football Hall of Fame quarterback, and best known for his All-American career at Pennsylvania State University (1957–1959).
Lucas was born in Glassport, Pennsylvania. He was a first round pick in both the NFL and AFL drafts in 1960. Like many college stars of the era, and possibly because of the conservative style of play in the old NFL, Lucas signed with a team in the wide-open new American Football League, namely the Buffalo Bills, making him officially the franchise's first player.[1] There he played quarterback, halfback, defensive back and kick returner for two seasons before he was obtained by the AFL's Denver Broncos following the AFL's 1962 equalization draft, but he never played for the Broncos.[2]
Nicknamed "Riverboat Richie" due to his gambling instincts when calling plays,[3] Lucas won the 1959 Maxwell Trophy and was runner-up to LSU's Billy Cannon for the 1959 Heisman Trophy. He returned to Penn State following his pro football career, serving as assistant athletic director until 1998. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986.
wn.com/Richie_Lucas -
Rick Upchurch
Richard “Rick” Upchurch (born May 20, 1952, in Toledo, Ohio) is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for the Denver Broncos (1975–1983) of the NFL. Before his NFL career, he played for Centerville Community College in Centerville, Iowa and the University of Minnesota and went to high school at Springfield Local High School in Holland, Ohio. In 2000, Upchurch was named one of the 300 best NFL players of all time.
In his nine NFL seasons, Upchurch excelled as a receiver and a kick returner on special teams. In his rookie season, he rushed for 97 yards, caught 18 passes for 436 yards, returned 27 punts for 312 yards, and added another 1,014 yards returning kickoffs. In his second season, he set an NFL record by returning four punts for touchdowns and made the Pro Bowl. In the 1977 season, he led the NFL with 653 punt return yards and assisted his team to their first ever Super Bowl appearance. The Broncos lost Super Bowl XII to the Dallas Cowboys 27-10, but he had a good performance in the game. Upchurch amassed 125 total offensive yards (94 kickoff return, 22 punt return, 9 receiving), including a Super Bowl record 67-yard kickoff return in the 3rd quarter that set up Denver’s only touchdown of the game.
wn.com/Rick_Upchurch -
Ricky Watters
Richard "Ricky" James Watters (born April 7, 1969) is a former American football running back who played for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. Watters played college football at the University of Notre Dame where he played wide receiver on the school's 1988 national champion team. He also won a Super Bowl as a member of the 1994 San Francisco 49ers. Watters was known throughout his playing career for his outstanding receiving skills and his unique high-step running style, which earned him the nickname Ricky "Running" Watters, from ESPN sportcaster Chris Berman.
Currently Watters is a motivational speaker for kids who, like himself, are adopted. He is also a recording artist, music producer, President and CEO of Tigero Entertainment and an author, having written the book, For Who For What, a Warrior’s Journey.
Watters attended Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he was a four year letterman in football. He played pewee, pony, and varsity grade school football for Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament(OLBS) Golden Gales.
wn.com/Ricky_Watters -
Ricky Williams
Errick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. (born May 21, 1977) is a former American football running back who played for eleven seasons in the National Football League (NFL) and one season in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at the University of Texas, where he was a two-time All-American and won the Heisman Trophy. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft and spent three seasons with the team before he was traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2002. He played for the Dolphins for three seasons, and retired for the first time from football in 2004. Due to his suspension from the NFL in 2006, he played for the Toronto Argonauts in 2006. He re-joined the Dolphins in 2007 and played with them until 2010, and spent the 2011 season with the Baltimore Ravens.
Williams was born (with his twin sister Cassandra) in San Diego, California, to 19-year old Sandy Williams and her husband, 18-year old Errick Williams. Growing up middle-class, his parents divorced in 1983 and Williams, at the age of 5, was taking care of his sisters by putting them to bed and even cooking for them. Perhaps due to his broken home and the fact that his father was gone at such an early age, Williams suffered from anger issues that eventually led his mother to send him to counseling. He also struggled academically, despite a test he took as a six-year old which revealed that he had the intelligence of someone twice his age. Williams himself once said, "I was always very bright, but not necessarily a hard worker. I think I was in eighth grade when I became really focused as a student and started getting good grades." By high school Williams was an honor roll student and was named to the San Diego Union-Tribune All-Academic team.
wn.com/Ricky_Williams -
Riley Odoms
Riley Mackey Odoms (born March 1, 1950 in Luling, Texas) is a former American football tight end. He played college football at the University of Houston and his entire professional career with the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. Odoms was drafted fifth overall in the 1972 NFL Draft, which made him the second highest tight end ever taken in the NFL Draft.
Odoms was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and was a two-time All-Pro. He finished his career with 396 receptions for 5,755 yards and 41 touchdowns.
He is the grandson of Baseball Hall of Famer, Biz Mackey.
wn.com/Riley_Odoms -
Robert Brazile
Robert Lorenzo Brazile, Jr. (born February 7, 1953 in Mobile, Alabama) is a former professional American football linebacker in the National Football League. Nicknamed "Dr. Doom", Brazile played from 1975-1984 for the Houston Oilers.
Brazile was taken with the sixth pick of the first round of the 1975 NFL Draft. It was part of the bounty Sid Gillman acquired along with Curley Culp when he traded John Matuszak to the Kansas City Chiefs. However, it would be new head coach/general manager Bum Phillips who made the selection.
Phillips' arrival in Houston also brought a change in the base defense the Oilers ran, switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4. The 3-4 would prove to be a perfect fit for Brazile's combination of size (6'4", 230 lbs) and great speed. While most cite Lawrence Taylor as the prototype of the pass-rushing outside linebacker in the NFL, there are some, including Phillips, who say Brazile was the one who first made the 3-4 popular for sending an outside linebacker to rush the quarterback. Brazile also performed well in pass coverage and against the run, consistently ranking at or near the top for the team lead in tackles even though opponents often avoided his side of the field.
wn.com/Robert_Brazile -
Robert Griffin III
Robert Lee Griffin III (born February 12, 1990), nicknamed RG3, is an American football quarterback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Baylor University, and won the 2011 Heisman Trophy. He was selected by the Redskins with the second pick of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Griffin was born in Japan, where his parents, Robert Jr. and Jacqueline, both U.S. Army Sergeants, were stationed. The family later lived at Fort Lewis in the U.S. State of Washington, and then moved to New Orleans, before finally settling in Copperas Cove, Texas in 1997.
Griffin attended Copperas Cove High School, where he was a three-sport star in basketball, football, and track. He started at quarterback for two seasons. During his junior season, he passed for 2,001 yards and 25 touchdowns with two interceptions, while compiling 876 rushing yards for 8 touchdowns. He received first-team All-District 16-4A honors after the season. As a senior, he recorded 1,285 rushing yards, posting 24 touchdowns, and passed 1,356 yards for 16 touchdowns with seven interceptions. In his senior season Copperas Cove finished with a record of 13–2, and lost in the championship game of the 2007 Class 4A Division I state playoffs. Over the two seasons, he rushed for a total of 2,161 yards and 32 touchdowns, while passing for 3,357 yards and 41 touchdowns with nine interceptions.
wn.com/Robert_Griffin_III -
Robert Kardashian
Robert George Kardashian (February 22, 1944 – September 30, 2003) was an American attorney and businessman. He gained national recognition as O. J. Simpson's friend and defense attorney during the latter's 1995 murder trial.
Robert Kardashian was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of Armenian-American parents Helen (née Arakelian) and Arthur Kardashian. Kardashian earned a law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law and practiced for about a decade; after that, he went into business. When he presented the O.J. Simpson case in 1995, it had been over 20 years since Kardashian had last practiced law.
With his former wife, Kris Jenner, he had four children: Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Robert, Jr., all of whom have achieved fame after his death, mainly through the E! cable network reality television show, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and related programs.
After Kardashian's divorce from his first wife, Kris, was finalized, he married Jan Ashley. That marriage did not last, and he later married his third wife, Ellen, two months before he died.
wn.com/Robert_Kardashian -
Robert Khayat
Dr. Robert Conrad Khayat (born April 18, 1938 in Moss Point, Mississippi) was the 15th Chancellor of the University of Mississippi. He was appointed in 1995. Khayat, a former student of the University of Mississippi, is the only Chancellor of the university to be a member of the Student Hall of Fame there. He has degrees from both the University of Mississippi and Yale University. Khayat played American football in the National Football League as a kicker for the Washington Redskins.
On January 6, 2009, Dr. Khayat announced his retirement effective June 30, 2009. He was replaced by Dr. Daniel "Dan" Jones on June 15, 2009.
wn.com/Robert_Khayat -
Rocky Bleier
Robert Patrick "Rocky" Bleier (born March 5, 1946) is a former National Football League halfback who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1968 and from 1971 to 1980.
He was nicknamed "Rocky" as a baby. Bleier said "As the first born of the family, my dad was proud, as all parents are." And the guys would come into the bar and say 'Bob, how's that new kid of yours?' And my dad would go 'Aw, you should see him, guys, looks like a little rock sitting in that crib. He's got all these muscles.' I'm a little fat baby. So they'd come back in the bar and they'd say 'Hey Bob, how's that little rock of yours?' So after that, that's how I got it. It stuck."
Bleier graduated from Xavier High School in Appleton, Wisconsin in 1964; while in high school, Bleier starred in football and basketball. In football, he was a three time All-State pick as running back, and also won All-Conference honors at both linebacker and defensive back.
He graduated from University of Notre Dame in 1968 with a degree in business management, in addition to starring in football. He was a member of their 1966 National Championship team, captain of the 1967 squad, and was teammates & friends with quarterback Terry Hanratty, who would later be his teammate with the Steelers.
wn.com/Rocky_Bleier -
Rod Woodson
Roderick Kevin "Rod" Woodson (born March 10, 1965) is a former American football defensive back who played in the National Football League for seventeen seasons. He had a 10-year stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers and was a key member of the Baltimore Ravens' Super Bowl XXXV championship season. He also played for the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders, wearing the jersey number 26 throughout his career. He holds the NFL records for career interception return yardage (1,483) and interception returns for touchdowns (12), and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1993. His 71 career interceptions is the third-most in NFL history. He was an inductee of the Class of 2009 of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on August 8, 2009.
From his retirement in 2003 to February 2011, Woodson worked as an analyst for the NFL Network on NFL Total Access and Thursday Night Football, and as a color-commentator for the Big Ten Network. He spent the 2011 season as the Raiders' cornerbacks coach.
wn.com/Rod_Woodson -
Roger Maris
Roger Eugene Maris (September 10, 1934 – December 14, 1985) was an American baseball right fielder who played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) on four teams, from 1957 through 1968. Maris hit a record 61 home runs during the 1961 season for the New York Yankees, breaking Babe Ruth's single-season record of 60 home runs in 1927. Maris' record stood for the next 37 years.
Maris appeared in seven World Series games. He was a two-time American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) (1960–1961), seven-time All-Star (1959–62), and an AL Gold Glove winner in 1960. His accomplishment of 61 home runs in a season, which was greatly debated in its own time, came back to the forefront in 1998, when the record was broken by both Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. On September 24, 2011, the 50th anniversary of Maris' home run record was celebrated in Yankee Stadium.
Roger Maris was the son of Croatian immigrants. He was born Roger Eugene Maras(he later changed his last name to Maris) in Hibbing, Minnesota. He grew up in Grand Forks and Fargo, North Dakota, where he attended Shanley High School. Maris, a gifted athlete, participated in many sports while in Fargo, and excelled at football and still holds the official high school record for most kickoff return touchdowns in a game, with four.
wn.com/Roger_Maris -
Roger Staubach
Roger Thomas Staubach (born February 5, 1942 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is a businessman, Heisman Trophy winner and legendary Hall of Fame former quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys from 1969 until 1979. Staubach was instrumental in developing the Cowboys into becoming one of the best teams of the 1970s and led the team to nine of the Cowboys' record-setting twenty consecutive winning seasons. Staubach led the Cowboys to their first Super Bowl victory and as a result he was named MVP in Super Bowl VI. Staubach was described by legendary Cowboys head coach Tom Landry as "possibly the best combination of a passer, an athlete and a leader to ever play in the NFL."
Staubach first achieved national attention when he was named the starting quarterback of the Navy football team in 1962. He was hailed by Navy coach Wayne Hardin as "the greatest quarterback Navy ever had." He helmed the team for three seasons, leading the Midshipmen to two victories in the Army–Navy Game and an appearance in the 1964 Cotton Bowl Classic. In addition to earning the Heisman trophy by the seventh largest point margin, Staubach was elected to the College Hall of Fame in 1981.
wn.com/Roger_Staubach -
Roger Wehrli
Roger Wehrli (born November 26, 1947) is a former National Football League cornerback who played his entire 14-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1969 until 1982. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler after playing college football at the University of Missouri, where he was a consensus All-American and a first-round draft choice by the Cardinals in 1969. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.
Wehrli was born in New Point, Missouri. His parents were teachers and his father was a school district superintent. They enrolled Roger in school at the age of 5. As a result, he started his freshman year of high school at the age of 13. Missouri Hall Of Fame Coach Richard Flanagan's (HS Coach @ KC) said of that Wehrli was the best player he ever coached--that when he got the ball he could move like no other and could anticipate the other players move before he did. In 1965, Dan Devine recruited Wehrli from King City, Missouri, where he lettered in football, basketball, and track for the Wildcats, as well as help the school win the state title in track in 1965.
wn.com/Roger_Wehrli -
Roman Gabriel
Roman Ildonzo Gabriel, Jr. (born August 5, 1940 in Wilmington, North Carolina) is a former American football player. The son of a Filipino immigrant, he was the first Asian-American to start as an NFL quarterback and is considered by many to have been one of the best players at that position during the late 1960s and early 70s.
Gabriel attended and played high school football at New Hanover High School in Wilmington, North Carolina. He went on to star for the North Carolina State football team, and played professionally for the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles.
A two-time All-American and two-time ACC Player of the Year (1960–61), Gabriel starred at quarterback for North Carolina State University in the early 1960s and finished his career holding virtually every Wolfpack passing record. An academic All-American, Gabriel saw his jersey retired and presented to him by North Carolina governor Terry Sanford on Jan. 20, 1962, at half-time of an NC State-Maryland basketball game in Reynolds Coliseum. As captain of his team, Gabriel set 22 school and nine conference football records. He threw for 2,961 yards and 19 touchdowns.
wn.com/Roman_Gabriel -
Ron Dayne
Ronald Dayne (born March 14, 1978) is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons. Dayne played college football for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, set the major college record for career rushing yards, and won the 1999 Heisman Trophy. He was a first round pick of the New York Giants in the 2000 NFL Draft, and also played professionally for the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans of the NFL.
Dayne was born in Berlin Township, New Jersey. His athleticism and speed made him a star running back at Overbrook High School in Pine Hill, New Jersey, and he was heavily recruited by many colleges. He also excelled at track and field. In 1995 he won the New Jersey Meet of Champions, setting a new meet record in the discus throw. In 1996 he won state titles in both the shot put and discus, breaking both meet records won the Meet of Champions in both events and breaking his own meet record in the discus. He has the fifth-best distance ever thrown in the discus by a U.S. high school athlete at 216' 11" (66.12m).
wn.com/Ron_Dayne -
Ron Guidry
Ronald Ames Guidry ( /ˈɡɪdri/; born August 28, 1950), nicknamed "Louisiana Lightning" and "Gator", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played his entire 14-year baseball career for the New York Yankees (1975–1988). Guidry was also the pitching coach of the New York Yankees from 2006 to 2007.
Guidry was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, and began his career pitching briefly in the 1975 and 1976 seasons. In 1977, he began as a relief pitcher but was moved into the starting rotation. He helped lead the New York Yankees to a World Series championship in 1977 and 1978. In those two years combined, Guidry went 4-0 in the postseason with 3 complete games in 5 starts, allowing only nine earned runs in 371⁄3 innings pitched.
In 1978, Guidry posted a career year, one of the best in the modern era. Against the California Angels on June 17, he struck out a Yankee-record 18 batters. Guidry's 18-strikeout performance is usually cited as the launching pad of the Yankee Stadium tradition of fans standing and clapping for a strikeout with two strikes on the opposing batter.
wn.com/Ron_Guidry -
Ron Jaworski
Ronald Vincent "Ron" Jaworski (born March 23, 1951, in Lackawanna, New York) is a former American football quarterback and currently an NFL analyst on ESPN. He is also CEO of Ron Jaworski Golf Management, Inc., based out of Blackwood, New Jersey, and manages golf courses in southern New Jersey, northeast Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. He also owns part interest in the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League. Jaworski was nicknamed "Jaws" by Philadelphia 76ers player (and now coach) Doug Collins prior to the 1981 Super Bowl.
Jaworski was raised in the steel town of Lackawanna, New York. A three-sport star in high school, Jaworski turned down a professional baseball offer from the St Louis Cardinals to attend college at Youngstown State. Nicknamed "The Polish Rifle", or the "Polish Cannon", Jaworski was able to showcase his skills as a quarterback for the pass-oriented offense of the Penguins, earning a selection in the Senior Bowl.
Drafted in the second round of the 1973 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, Jaworski was originally an overlooked 3rd string quarterback. Thanks to injuries to John Hadl and James Harris, Jaworski saw considerable playing time in 1975, leading the Rams to a playoff win. In 1976, he lost the starting quarterback job to Pat Haden.
wn.com/Ron_Jaworski -
Ron Sellers
Ron "Jingle Joints" Sellers (born February 5, 1947 in Jacksonville, Florida) was an American college and professional football player. He played college football for Florida State University, where he was a two-time All-American (1967, 1968). Despite being limited to a total of 30 games of regular season eligibility, Sellers still holds Florida State career records for receptions, receiving yards, and most 200-yard receiving games.. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1988. A wide receiver, he played for the American Football League's Boston Patriots in 1969, when he was an AFL All-Star, then for the NFL's Patriots, Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins. He wore the number 34 which he gave linebacker Ernie Sims permission to use while playing at Florida State University.
wn.com/Ron_Sellers -
Ron Yary
Anthony Ronald "Ron" Yary (born July 16, 1946) is a former professional American football offensive tackle, playing primarily for the Minnesota Vikings and also for the Los Angeles Rams. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001. Yary gave credit for his Hall of Fame induction to his former coaches, John Ashton (high school) John McKay (college) and Bud Grant (professional). He also praised his position coaches Marv Goux, Dave Levy, John Michaels and Jerry Burns.
Yary attended Bellflower High School in Los Angeles County, California. In October 2001, the school named the football field Ron Yary Stadium. While attending Bellflower High School, Yary starred in football, baseball, and basketball.
Anthony Ronald Yary was born in Chicago and attended Cerritos College for one year and then the University of Southern California, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. As a sophomore in 1965, Yary was voted the Pac-8 defensive lineman of the year and All-West Coast for his play at defensive tackle. As a junior he was moved to the offensive line where he was a consensus All-American as a junior in 1966 and a unanimous All-American choice in 1967, his senior year. He was the 1967 winner of both the Outland Trophy and the Knute Rockne Award, awards that annually go to the nation's top collegiate lineman. Yary was the first USC Trojan to win the Outland. In Yary's senior year of 1967 the Trojans won the NCAA football national championship under Coach John McKay. During Yary's three seasons, the Trojans compiled a 24-7-1 record. In 1987 Yary was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame.
wn.com/Ron_Yary -
Ronald Goldman
Ronald Lyle "Ron" Goldman (July 2, 1968 – June 12, 1994) was an American waiter and an aspiring model. He was murdered along with Nicole Brown Simpson allegedly by her former husband O. J. Simpson, an actor and retired American football player. The subsequent criminal investigation and trial against O. J. Simpson was described as the "trial of the century." Although he was later held liable for Goldman's death and that of his ex-wife in a 1997 civil trial, Simpson was acquitted of the murders in the previous criminal trial.
Goldman grew up in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. His parents divorced when he was six and he was then raised by his father, Fred Goldman. His mother was Sharon (nèe Rufo) Goldman. Goldman grew up Jewish.
He attended high school at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois. He was a student at Illinois State University for one semester and a pledge to Sigma Nu fraternity before he moved with his family to California. While living in Los Angeles, he attended Pierce College. He had been supporting himself by working as a waiter and tennis instructor. According to a book authored by some of his family members, titled His Name is Ron, before working at the restaurant Mezzaluna, Goldman worked with cerebral palsy patients. He was also an avid Karate practitioner, achieving a 3rd degree black belt in the discipline. Goldman was a contestant on the short-lived game show Studs in 1992. Goldman had also doodled plans for a bar and restaurant to be named ANKH, after the Egyptian religious symbol.
wn.com/Ronald_Goldman -
Ronnie Harmon
Ronnie Keith Harmon (born May 7, 1964 in Queens, New York) is a former professional American football player. After a standout career at the University of Iowa in the Big Ten Conference, he played for 12 seasons (1986–1997) in the NFL. A 6", 220-lb. running back, Harmon was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the 1st round (16th overall) of the 1986 NFL Draft.
Harmon was better known for his receiving rather than his rushing capabilities, a reputation he earned after committing four fumbles, all of which resulted in turnovers, in a 45-28 loss for Iowa against UCLA in the 1986 Rose Bowl Game.
Harmon played four seasons with the Buffalo Bills. In his final game with Buffalo, a 1989 AFC Divisional Playoff game at the Cleveland Browns, Harmon dropped a potential game-winning touchdown pass from Jim Kelly with :09 left in the fourth quarter.
Harmon also played in Super Bowl XXIX for the San Diego Chargers in their 49-26 loss against the San Francisco 49ers, a game in which he led his team in receiving with 8 receptions for 68 yards. Ronnie's brothers Kevin and Derrick also played in the NFL.
wn.com/Ronnie_Harmon -
Ronnie Lott
Ronald Mandel "Ronnie" Lott (born May 8, 1959) is a former American college and professional football player who was a cornerback, free safety, and strong safety in the National Football League (NFL) for fifteen seasons during the 1980s and 1990s. Lott played college football for the University of Southern California, and was honored as a consensus All-American. A first-round pick in the 1981 NFL Draft, he played professionally for the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders, New York Jets, and Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL. Lott was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000, and is widely considered one of the best defensive backs in NFL history.
Lott attended Frisbie Junior High and Eisenhower High School in Rialto, California, where he played football under Coach Bill Christopher and graduated in 1977. He considered his time at Eisenhower High School the best years of his life. It is commonly thought that he was the best player on his team, he started as a wide receiver in 1975 as a sophomore, started at wide receiver and safety in 1976 as a junior, and in 1977 he started at quarterback and safety. The football stadium was recently named after Lott, even though he never played in the stadium. Lott was also the winner of the Ken Hubbs Award, given to the greater San Bernardino, California area's top male high school athlete.
wn.com/Ronnie_Lott -
Rosey Brown
Roosevelt "Rosey" Brown, Jr. (October 20, 1932 – June 9, 2004) was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the New York Giants from 1953 to 1965.
Brown was drafted by the Giants out of Morgan State University in the 1953 NFL Draft after being noticed by the Giants in the Pittsburgh Courier, an African-American newspaper that named him to their 1952 Black All-American team. On the offensive line, Brown pass blocked for quarterbacks Charlie Conerly and Y. A. Tittle and run blocked for backs like Alex Webster and Frank Gifford. Despite his 6'3", 255-pound frame, Brown was very quick on his feet which was very unusual for his era. He is considered one of the greatest "sleeper picks" in NFL history as he was drafted in 27th round of the NFL Draft.
Brown was named to the Pro Bowl a total of nine times and helped the Giants win the NFL Championship in 1956.
Following the 1965 season, Brown retired, suffering from chronic phlebitis. He became the Giants' assistant offensive line coach in 1966 and was promoted to offensive line coach in 1969. He remained with the Giants organization in the scouting department for many years.
wn.com/Rosey_Brown -
Ross Browner
Ross Browner (born March 22, 1954) is a former American football defensive end who played ten seasons in the NFL, mainly for the Cincinnati Bengals. He is the father of current Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Max Starks, and brother of Joey Browner and Keith Browner. Ross Browner was named to the Cincinnati Bengals 40th Anniversary Team in 2007.
Ross Browner was one of the most decorated defensive players in the history of College Football. At the University of Notre Dame he was a four-year starter at defensive end in 1973 and 1975-77. He was a unanimous All-America his junior and senior seasons of 1976 and 1977. In 1976 he won the Outland trophy as the nation's best interior or defensive lineman also in 1976 United Press International named him Lineman of the Year. He won the Lombardi Trophy as the nation's best lineman and the Maxwell Award as the nation's best player and again won the UPI Lineman of the Year Award, the only player ever to win it twice. In the decade of the 1970s, Browner was the only lineman who won the Maxwell. In 1977 he also placed fifth in voting for the Heisman Trophy. During his senior year in college, he was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the subheading of "Notre Dame's Peerless Ross Browner."
wn.com/Ross_Browner -
Roy Halladay
Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III (born May 14, 1977), nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. His nickname, coined by the late Toronto Blue Jays announcer Tom Cheek, is a reference to Wild West gunslinger "Doc" Holliday.
He was the Blue Jays' first draft selection in the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft, the 17th pick overall, and played for the team from 1998 through 2009, after which he was traded to Philadelphia. Halladay is known for his ability to pitch deep into games effectively, and he is currently the active major league leader in complete games with 66, including 20 shutouts.
On May 29, 2010, Halladay pitched the 20th perfect game in MLB history, beating the Florida Marlins by a score of 1–0. On October 6, 2010, in his first post-season start, Halladay threw the second no-hitter in MLB postseason history (Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series being the first) against the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the 2010 NLDS. It was his second no-hitter of the year (following the May 29 perfect game), making Halladay the fifth pitcher in major league history (and the first since Nolan Ryan in 1973) to throw multiple no-hitters in the same season. Halladay has won two Cy Young Awards, in 2003 and 2010.
wn.com/Roy_Halladay -
Ruben Brown
Ruben Parnell Brown (born February 13, 1972 in Englewood, New Jersey) is a former American football guard of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills 14th overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. He played college football at Pittsburgh.
Brown played nine seasons for the Bills and four more for the Chicago Bears, starting all 181 games in which he played. He was a four-time All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowl selection, including eight consecutive Pro Bowl selections with the Bills from 1996 to 2003. He is the older brother of former NFL linebacker Cornell Brown.
Brown gained acclaim as the starting left guard for the Buffalo Bills. Brown was named to eight consecutive AFC Pro Bowl teams from 1996 to 2003.
In the final game of the 2003 season, the Bills sent Brown home, causing him to miss his first start since 1999. Brown was released by the Bills after the 2003 season.
Brown then signed with the Chicago Bears in 2004. That season, he started only nine games due to injuries. He had a revival in his career in the 2006 season after the Bears made the Super Bowl, and was named to the 2007 Pro Bowl. In 2007, Brown played in 8 games before being placed on injured reserve by the Bears on November 8, 2007 due to an injured shoulder.
wn.com/Ruben_Brown -
Russell Maryland
Russell James Maryland (born March 22, 1969) is a former professional American football player. He played defensive tackle for ten seasons for the Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Cowboys first overall in the 1991 NFL Draft. He played college football for the University of Miami Hurricanes.
Maryland was born and reared in Chicago, Illinois, where he played high school football at Whitney Young High School.
Maryland played college football at the University of Miami. In 1990, he registered 96 tackles and 10½ quarterback sacks for the Hurricanes, and won the Outland Trophy for the best lineman in college, beating out offensive linemen Joe Garten and Stacy Long.
Prior to his graduation from Miami, Russell was inducted into the Iron Arrow Honor Society, the highest honor bestowed by the university. Russell was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.
Maryland was the first overall pick in the 1991 NFL Draft, by the Dallas Cowboys, after the initial No. 1 prospect Raghib Ismail decided to sign with the Toronto Argonauts. Even though the Cowboys did not have the worst record in the league that year, they used a draft choice acquired in a trade with the New England Patriots to make Maryland the number one overall choice.
wn.com/Russell_Maryland -
Sam Bradford
Samuel Jacob Bradford (born November 8, 1987) is an American football quarterback for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He was the first overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, after playing college football for the University of Oklahoma. In 2008, as a redshirt sophomore, Bradford became the second sophomore to win a Heisman Trophy. He also holds the NCAA record for most touchdown passes by a freshman quarterback, with 36.
In his first season in the NFL, Bradford set the record for most completions by a rookie in NFL history, which helped earn him the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Bradford was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He attended Putnam City North High School in Oklahoma City, where he starred in football, basketball and golf. As a senior quarterback for his high school football team in 2006, he threw for 2,029 yards and 17 touchdowns in 12 games. His senior year in basketball, he averaged a double-double.
Bradford was a three-star recruit not that highly ranked among the high school class of 2006, with his highest ranking being No. 12 among only pro-style quarterbacks by recruiting source Rivals.com, behind Pat Devlin, Juice Williams, Josh Freeman, and being overshadowed by the likes of five-star recruits Mitch Mustain, Matthew Stafford and Tim Tebow.
wn.com/Sam_Bradford -
Sammy Baugh
Samuel Adrian "Slingin' Sammy" Baugh (March 17, 1914 – December 17, 2008) was an American football player and coach. He played college football for the Horned Frogs at Texas Christian University, where he was a two-time All-American. He then played in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins from 1937 to 1952. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the 17-member charter class of 1963.
Baugh was born on a farm near Temple, Texas, the second son of James, a worker on the Santa Fe Railroad, and Lucy Baugh. His parents later divorced and his mother raised the three children. When he was 16, the family then moved to Sweetwater, Texas, and he attended Sweetwater High School. As the quarterback of his high school football team (Sweetwater Mustangs), he would practice for hours throwing a football through a swinging automobile tire, often on the run. But apparently, Baugh would practice punting more than throwing.
Baugh, however, really wanted to become a professional baseball player and almost received a scholarship to play at Washington State University. About a month before he started at Washington State, however, Baugh hurt his knee while sliding into second base during a game, and the scholarship fell through.
wn.com/Sammy_Baugh -
Sammy Sosa
Samuel Peralta "Sammy" Sosa (born November 12, 1968) is a Dominican former professional baseball right fielder. Sosa played with four Major League Baseball teams over his career which spanned from 1989-2007.
Sosa's Major League career began with the Texas Rangers in 1989. After three seasons with the Chicago White Sox, Sosa became a member of the Chicago Cubs in 1992 and subsequently became one of the league's best hitters. In 1998, Sosa and Mark McGwire achieved national fame for their home run-hitting prowess in pursuit of Roger Maris' home run record. Sosa finished his career with brief stints with the Baltimore Orioles and the Texas Rangers. With the Rangers, Sosa hit his 600th career home run to become the fifth player in MLB history to reach the milestone. He is also the all-time home run leader among foreign-born MLB players. Furthermore, Sosa is one of only two National League Players to ever reach 160 RBI in a season, a milestone he reached in 2001. The other was Cubs player and RBI Champion Hack Wilson during his record setting 1930 season in which he recorded 191 RBI. Sosa is the only player to have hit 60 or more home runs in a single season three times.
wn.com/Sammy_Sosa -
Sandy Koufax
Sanford "Sandy" Koufax ( /ˈkoʊfæks/; born Sanford Braun, December 30, 1935) is an American former left-handed baseball pitcher who played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers (1955–1966). Retiring at the peak of his career, in 1972 he became, at age 36 and 20 days, the youngest player ever elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame .
Koufax's career peaked with a run of six outstanding seasons from 1961 to 1966, before arthritis in his left elbow ended his career prematurely at age 30. He was named the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1963. He also won the 1963, 1965, and 1966 Cy Young Awards by unanimous votes, making him the first 3-time Cy Young winner in baseball history and the only one to win 3 times when the award was for all of baseball, not just one league. In each of his Cy Young seasons, Koufax won the pitcher's triple crown by leading the NL in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average. Koufax's totals would also have led the American League in those seasons.
wn.com/Sandy_Koufax -
Shane Conlan
Shane Patrick Conlan (born March 4, 1964] is a former professional American football player. He played college football at Penn State University, where he won two national championships in 1982 and 1986, although he was red-shirted prior to the start of the 1982 season and did not play that season. In 1981, prior to his Penn State career and after his senior season at Frewsburg High School in which he played under head coach Thomas Sharp, Conlan was voted Western New York high school Player of the Year. During his career at Penn State, Conlan had 274 tackles, including a school-record 186 solos. He finished his football career as a three time all-pro with the NFL's Buffalo Bills and the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams.
Conlan was born in Frewsburg, New York.
Conlan capped his junior season at Penn State in the 1985 national championship game in the Orange Bowl against the University of Oklahoma. The finale to his senior year was in the 1986 national championship game versus the University of Miami in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl, Conlan had eight tackles, two interceptions. Most memorably, he returned the second of his two interceptions 38 yards to the Miami 5-yard line to set up D.J. Dozier's game-winning touchdown. With Penn State's 14-10 victory, Conlan's squad completed an undefeated season, securing the 1986 national championship.
wn.com/Shane_Conlan -
Shaun Alexander
Shaun Edward Alexander (born August 30, 1977) is a former American football running back who played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins. He was drafted by the Seahawks 19th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Alabama.
Alexander was born and raised in Florence, Kentucky. His father, Curtis Alexander Jr., works for Morton Salt and his mother Carol works in the truancy department of the Boone County School District. He has an older brother Durran, and four older half-sisters and three older half-brothers. His parents divorced when he was 11, and he and Durran were raised by their mother in a two-bedroom apartment in a government housing project.
He attended Florence Elementary School. In 1991, he entered Boone County High School. As a freshman, he played football for the junior varsity team and was voted Class President—as he was every year in high school. As well as football, Alexander excelled in basketball and baseball.
In his sophomore season, he made the varsity team as the second-string running back. By mid-season, he was the team's featured running back as he rushed for 1,095 yards and fourteen touchdowns. During his junior season in 1994, Alexander ran for 2,396 yards and 42 touchdowns as Boone County made it to the state semifinals. In a game versus Campbell County, Alexander rushed for seven touchdowns. He was listed in "Faces in the Crowd" section of Sports Illustrated in January 1994.
wn.com/Shaun_Alexander -
Stephon Gilmore
Stephon Gilmore (born September 19, 1990) is an American football cornerback who attended the University of South Carolina. Gilmore was drafted 10th overall in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Gilmore was regarded as one of the best cornerback prospects of his class.
Gilmore attended South Pointe High School in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where he was a two-way player and helped his team to a perfect 15-0 record and the South Carolina AAAA Division II title as a senior. Among his teammates was Jadeveon Clowney. Playing quarterback on offense, Gilmore rushed for 1,331 yards and 23 touchdowns and passed for 1,771 yards with 14 scores. He earned first-team all-state honors by The State and was named an All-American by Parade and EA Sports. He was also named Mr. Football for the state of South Carolina.
Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Gilmore was listed as the No. 2 overall prospect from South Carolina in the class of 2009. He chose South Carolina over Alabama, Tennessee, and Clemson.
wn.com/Stephon_Gilmore -
Steve Bartkowski
Steven Joseph "Steve" Bartkowski (born November 12, 1952 in Des Moines, Iowa) is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League who played for the Atlanta Falcons (1975–1985) and the Los Angeles Rams (1986). Bartkowski was a consensus All-American his senior season in 1974 at the University of California, Berkeley.
Bartkowski was chosen with the first overall pick in the 1975 NFL Draft, ahead of Walter Payton, by the Atlanta Falcons and was the NFL Rookie of the Year as well as The Sporting News NFC Rookie of the Year in 1975. He was the first client of sports agent Leigh Steinberg.
Bartkowski is one of only nine quarterbacks in NFL history who have achieved consecutive 30-touchdown passing seasons (1980 & 1981) at least one time in their career. The others are Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Brett Favre, Dan Fouts, Jeff Garcia, Peyton Manning, Dan Marino and Y.A. Tittle. Bartkowski was selected to the Pro Bowl after both the 1980 and 1981 seasons and was selected 2nd Team All-NFC following the 1980 campaign. Bartkowski led the NFL in passing in 1983 with a passer rating of 97.6.
wn.com/Steve_Bartkowski -
Steve Carlton
Steven Norman "Steve" Carlton (born December 22, 1944), nicknamed "Lefty", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1965 to 1988 for six different teams in his career, but it is his time with the Philadelphia Phillies where he received his greatest acclaim as a professional and won four Cy Young Awards. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994.
Carlton has the second-most lifetime strikeouts of any left-handed pitcher (4th overall), and the second-most lifetime wins of any left-handed pitcher (11th overall). He was the first pitcher to win four Cy Young Awards in a career. He held the lifetime strikeout record several times between 1982 and 1984, before his contemporary Nolan Ryan passed him. One of his most remarkable records was accounting for nearly half (46%) of his team's wins, when he won 27 games for the last-place (59-97) 1972 Phillies. He is still the last National League pitcher to win 25 or more games in one season, as well as the last pitcher from any team to throw more than 300 innings in a season. He also holds the record with the most career balks of any pitcher, with 90 (double the second on the all time list, Bob Welch).
wn.com/Steve_Carlton -
Steve Cauthen
Steve Cauthen (born May 1, 1960) is a retired American jockey.
Cauthen, the son of a trainer and a farrier, grew up in Walton, Kentucky around horses, which (along with his small size) made race-riding a logical career choice. He rode his first race on May 12, 1976 at Churchill Downs; he finished last, riding King of Swat. He rode his first winner (Red Pipe) less than a week later, at River Downs. His rise to prominence was meteoric; he was the nation's leader in race wins in 1977 with 487. In only his second year of riding, he became the first jockey to win $6 million in a single season, passing that mark in December 1977 on a three-year-old filly called Little Happiness in the sixth race at Aqueduct Racetrack. After that, he was called "The Six Million Dollar Man" and "Stevie Wonder."
In 1977, he won numerous awards, including Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year, Sporting News Sportsman of the Year, Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year and ABC's Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Year. In the same year, he won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey and the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey in the United States.
wn.com/Steve_Cauthen -
Steve Emtman
Steven Charles Emtman (born April 16, 1970) is a former professional American football player. He played defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Washington Huskies, and was drafted into the NFL as the first overall selection in the 1992 NFL Draft.
Emtman was born in Spokane, Washington, grew up in nearby Cheney, and graduated from Cheney High School in 1988. Lightly recruited, he accepted a football scholarship to the University of Washington in Seattle to play for head coach Don James.
He redshirted in 1988, but soon became a star as a sophomore on a resurgent defense in 1990. Washington went 10-2 and won the Rose Bowl for the first time in 9 seasons. He was considered the best overall player on the 1991 Husky undefeated national championship team. A consensus All-American, Emtman won the Outland Trophy, Lombardi Award, was the Bill Willis Award winner and the UPI Lineman of the Year. He also was being named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year during his impressive junior year of 1991. He finished fourth in the ballot for the Heisman Trophy.
wn.com/Steve_Emtman -
Steve Joachim
Steve Joachim (born March 27, 1952) was an American football player. He won the 1974 Maxwell Award and would play professionally with the New York Jets. He grew up in Havertown, PA and played high school football at Haverford High School.
Joachim currently works at Highmark Inc.
wn.com/Steve_Joachim -
Steve Kiner
Steven Albert Kiner (born June 12, 1947) is a former American football linebacker who played nine seasons in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, and the Houston Oilers. Kiner attended the University of Tennessee from 1967 to 1969, where he was an All-American. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.
wn.com/Steve_Kiner -
Steve Largent
Steven Michael "Steve" Largent (born September 28, 1954) is a retired American football player, enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and a former U.S. Congressman, having served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Oklahoma from 1994 until 2002. He was defeated in his run for Governor of Oklahoma in 2002 in a three-way race in which he had been considered the frontrunner.
Despite an All-American career at the University of Tulsa, Largent was not selected until the fourth round of the 1976 NFL draft by the Houston Oilers (117th pick). After four preseason games, he was slated to be cut, but was instead traded to the expansion Seattle Seahawks for a 1977 eighth-round pick.
Largent spent thirteen years with the Seahawks, and, while not particularly fast, was extremely sure-handed. He was selected to the NFL Pro Bowl seven times, and was the first Seahawk to earn that honor. In 1982, Largent, along with teammate Jim Zorn, ended his participation in the NFL strike, after the third and final week of the strike, citing religious principles, specifically based on Matthew 5:36–37, stating that "your word is your bond" and that all contracts shall be honored as with God.
wn.com/Steve_Largent -
Steve McNair
Stephen LaTreal McNair (February 14, 1973 – July 4, 2009) (Nicknamed Air McNair) was an American football quarterback who spent the majority of his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans.
McNair played college football at Alcorn State in Lorman, Mississippi, where he won the 1994 Walter Payton Award as the top player in NCAA Division I-AA. He was drafted third overall by the NFL's Houston Oilers in 1995, becoming the Oilers' regular starting quarterback in 1997, their first season in Tennessee (though he started six games over the prior two seasons in Houston), and remained the starting quarterback for the Titans through 2005. After the 2005 season, McNair was traded to the Baltimore Ravens, with whom he played for two seasons before retiring after thirteen NFL seasons.
McNair led the Titans to the playoffs four times, and the Ravens once, and played in Super Bowl XXXIV with the Titans. He is the Titans' all-time leading passer. McNair was selected to the Pro Bowl three times, was All-Pro and Co-MVP in 2003, all as a Titan.
wn.com/Steve_McNair -
Steve Spurrier
Stephen Orr Spurrier (born April 20, 1945) is an American college football coach and player. Spurrier is the current head coach of the University of South Carolina's Gamecocks football team. He is also a former professional player and coach. Spurrier is a native of Florida, graduated from high school in Tennessee, and is an alumnus of the University of Florida, where he played college football for the Florida Gators. He was a two-time All-American quarterback, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a player. Spurrier played professional football for the San Francisco 49ers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons in the 1960s and 1970s. He is best known for winning the Heisman Trophy in 1966, and for coaching the Florida Gators football team to six Southeastern Conference (SEC) championships and a consensus national championship in 1996.
Spurrier attended Science Hill High School in Johnson City, Tennessee, where he was a three-sport letterman starring in high school football, basketball and baseball for the Science Hill Hilltoppers. In three years as the starting pitcher for Science Hill, he never lost a game and led his team to two consecutive state baseball championships. He was an all-state selection in football, basketball and baseball, and a high school All-American quarterback.
wn.com/Steve_Spurrier -
Steve Tasker
Steven Jay Tasker (born April 10, 1962 in Smith Center, Kansas) is a broadcaster for CBS Sports, who previously was a wide receiver/gunner in the National Football League. He was drafted in the ninth round (226th overall) of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers. He played college football at Northwestern. He began his college career at Dodge City Community College.
Tasker played most of his pro career with the Buffalo Bills, and was voted by Bills fans to the teams 50th season All-time Team.
Tasker first attended Dodge City Community College. After two years, he transferred to Northwestern University where he played the final two years of his college career before joining the National Football League. After finishing his college football career, and before being drafted into the NFL, he joined the school's rugby team. Although he had never played rugby before, he was named most valuable player at the Big Ten Conference Tournament.
Tasker was selected in the ninth round (226th overall) of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers where he played for two seasons. He was claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills on November 8, 1986.
wn.com/Steve_Tasker -
Steve Van Buren
Stephen W. Van Buren (born December 28, 1920) is a former professional American football halfback who played for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League from 1944–1951, and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Van Buren was born in La Ceiba, Honduras but, after he was orphaned as a boy, he was sent to live with relatives in New Orleans. From Easton High School in New Orleans, he received an athletic scholarship to Louisiana State University, where he led the nation in points (110) and touchdowns (16) as a senior.
A first-round draft pick in the 1944 NFL Draft, Van Buren ran for 444 yards in nine games during his first season with the Philadelphia Eagles. He also led the league in returning punts as a rookie. The following season, Van Buren led the NFL in rushing for the first time. He would win three additional rushing crowns in 1947, 1948 and 1949, becoming the first running back in NFL history to achieve three consecutive rushing titles. Jim Brown (1957–1961, 1963–1965) twice, Earl Campbell (1978–1980), and Emmitt Smith (1991–1993) have since managed that feat. All four are in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.
wn.com/Steve_Van_Buren -
Steve Young
Jon Steven "Steve" Young (born October 11, 1961) is a former American college and professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for fourteen seasons during the 1980s and 1990s. Young played college football for Brigham Young University, and played professionally for the Los Angeles Express of the United States Football League, and the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Francisco 49ers. Young was named the Most Valuable Player of the NFL in 1992 and 1994, and the MVP of Super Bowl XXIX. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. At the time of his retirement, he had the highest passer rating among NFL quarterbacks who have thrown at least 1,500 passing attempts (96.8), and is currently ranked third. Young also won a record six NFL passing titles.
Young was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. He attended Greenwich High School in Greenwich, Connecticut. He earned 1978 All-FCIAC West Division First Team honors in his junior year, his first year starting at quarterback for the Cardinals. In 1979, he once again earned All-FCIAC West Division First Team honors, along with CIAC All-State honors, rushing for 13 touchdowns. In two seasons, he ran the ball 267 times for 1,928 yards. In the option offense run by Greenwich, passing was always the second option; he completed only 41 percent of his throws for 1,220 yards. During his senior year he was co-captain of the football, basketball and baseball teams. In basketball, he averaged 15 points a game. In baseball, he hit .384 and played center field when he wasn't pitching. He was 5-1 and threw a 3-0 no-hitter against New Canaan High School.
wn.com/Steve_Young -
Ted Hendricks
Theodore (Ted) Paul Hendricks (born November 1, 1947) is a former American football linebacker who logged 15 seasons for the Baltimore Colts (1969–73), the Green Bay Packers (1974) and the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders (1975–83) in the National Football League. In 2007 he was named to the Florida High School Association All-Century Team which selected the Top 33 players in the 100 year history of high school football in the state of Florida's history. He was nicknamed "The Mad Stork" for his quirky personality and his tall, thin physique.
Hendricks played his college football at the University of Miami. He played stand-up defensive end for the University of Miami during the 1966 through 1968 seasons. The 6’7”, 220 pound Hendricks was a highly regarded defensive player in his day. He was a two-time All-American (1967 and 1968) and finished fifth in the 1968 Heisman Trophy voting. He was also a Second-team All-America selection in 1966.
Born to his Guatemalan mother in Guatemala City, Guatemala where his father was employed, Hendricks was raised throughout his early life in Miami Springs, Florida. He attended neighboring Hialeah High school because the Miami Springs Senior High School was not yet constructed. At Hialeah High he was a standout player for the T-breds. After high school graduation he attended the University of Miami where he was a physics major at UM and was well known for relaxing by doing math problems[citation needed].
wn.com/Ted_Hendricks -
Ted Kwalick
Thaddeus John Kwalick (born April 15, 1947) is a former American football tight end in the National Football League and World Football League. He played for the San Francisco 49ers from 1969-1974 and the Oakland Raiders from 1975-1977. In 1975 he also played with the Philadelphia Bell of the World Football League. He attended Penn State University after growing up and playing high school football at Montour High School outside of Pittsburgh.
Kwalick made several All-America teams in 1967, and was unanimous in 1968, becoming Penn State's first two-time All-America. His career totals, 1343 yards and 10 touchdowns, were Penn State records for a tight end. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989.
Kwalick earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Penn State University in 1969. He is the president/owner of ProTech Voltage Systems, Inc., in Santa Clara, California.
wn.com/Ted_Kwalick -
Ted Williams
Theodore Samuel "Ted" Williams (August 30, 1918 – July 5, 2002) was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played his entire 21-year Major League Baseball career as the left fielder for the Boston Red Sox (1939–1942 and 1946–1960). Williams was a two-time American League Most Valuable Player (MVP) winner, led the league in batting six times, and won the Triple Crown twice. A nineteen-time All-Star, he had a career batting average of .344, with 521 home runs, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966. Williams recorded a hit 34 percent of the time; he reached base an astounding 48 percent of the time.
Williams was the last player in Major League Baseball to bat over .400 in a single season (.406 in 1941). Williams holds the highest career batting average of anyone with 500 or more home runs. His career year was 1941, when he hit .406 with 37 HR, 120 RBI, and 135 runs scored. His .551 on base percentage set a record that stood for 61 years. Nicknamed "The Kid", "The Splendid Splinter", "Teddy Ballgame", "The Thumper" and, because of his hitting prowess, "The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived", Williams's career was twice interrupted by service as a U.S. Marine Corps fighter-bomber pilot. An avid sport fisherman, he hosted a television program about fishing, and he was inducted into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame.
wn.com/Ted_Williams -
Terrell Davis
Terrell Lamar Davis (born October 28, 1972) is a former American football running back who played for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League from 1995 to 2001. Davis was drafted by the Broncos in the sixth round (196th pick overall) of the 1995 NFL Draft. Davis is the Denver Broncos all-time leading rusher, with 7,607 rushing yards. As a player, he was given the nickname "T. D." by players, fans and the media; this denoted both the initials of his first and last name as well as being an abbreviation for touchdown.
Born to nurse Kateree Davis who was the mother of eight children. In his senior year at Lincoln High School, the coaches gave him a chance at fullback, in a three back formation. He was given playing time in other positions, including kicker, and helped lead his team to a 12-2 record. Davis set the Lincoln Prep record in the discus throw as a member of the track team. After graduation, Davis went on to play football at Long Beach State University. His brother Reggie Webb was a tailback there before him, and he persuaded the school to grant Davis a scholarship.
wn.com/Terrell_Davis -
Terry Baker
For the Canadian football player of the same name see Terry Baker (Canadian football).
Terry Wayne Baker (born May 5, 1941) is a former quarterback for the Oregon State University football team. He played for them through the 1960-1962 seasons. He is most notable for winning the 1962 Heisman Trophy and playing the Final Four in the NCAA Basketball Tournament in the same school year. To date, he is the only person to have both won a Heisman Trophy and played in the Final Four.
Baker was born May 5, 1941 in Pine River, Minnesota. He attended Jefferson High School in Portland, Oregon and was a standout three-sport athlete for the Democrats.
Baker was a three-year letterwinner in basketball, and led the Democrats to the Portland Interscholastic League city championship his senior year.
Baker was also a great baseball player. He earned a letter all four years of high school in baseball and led his team to the 1959 Oregon School Activities Association state championship.
Football, however, was Baker's most dominant sport. Baker played quarterback and tailback for the Democrats. In his junior and senior seasons, the Democrats were 23-0 and won two Oregon State Athletic Association state championships. As a senior, he threw for 1,261 yards and ran for 438 yards.
wn.com/Terry_Baker -
Terry Bradshaw
Terry Paxton Bradshaw (born September 2, 1948) is a former American football quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League (NFL). He is currently a TV analyst and co-host of Fox NFL Sunday. He played 14 seasons with Pittsburgh, won four Super Bowl titles in a six-year period (1974, 1975, 1978 and 1979), becoming the first quarterback to win three and four Super Bowls, and led the Steelers to eight AFC Central championships. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989, his first year of eligibility.
A tough competitor, Bradshaw had a powerful – albeit at times erratic – arm and called his own plays throughout his football career. His physical skills and on-the-field leadership played a major role in Pittsburgh Steelers history. During his career, he passed for more than 300 yards in a game only seven times, but three of those performances came in the post-season, and two of those in Super Bowls. In four career Super Bowl appearances he passed for 932 yards and 9 touchdowns, both Super Bowl records at the time of his retirement. In 19 postseason games he completed 261 passes for 3,833 yards.
wn.com/Terry_Bradshaw -
Terry Hanratty
Terrence Hugh "Terry" Hanratty (born January 19, 1948) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League during the 1960s and 1970s. He earned two Super Bowl rings as the backup quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Hanratty attended St. Paul Catholic School and Butler Senior High School in Western Pennsylvania, before attending the University of Notre Dame where he was a three year starter and was twice an All-American, along with being a Heisman Trophy candidate. Hanratty and Jim Seymour formed a formidable passing/receiving duo leading Notre Dame to the national championship in 1966. Hanratty would also be teammates and friends with halfback Rocky Bleier at Notre Dame before the two were teammates in Pittsburgh.
In 1969, Hanratty was selected in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Steelers' new head coach, Chuck Noll, and was the starting quarterback for a short time before losing the job to the Steelers' No. 1 1970 overall draft pick Terry Bradshaw. Hanratty would be the last Pittsburgh-area native to start a game at quarteback for the Steelers, until current backup and Homestead native Charlie Batch would fill in for an injured Ben Roethlisberger for two games during the team's Super Bowl-winning season in 2005. Hanratty suited up for Super Bowl IX, but did not see action. However, he did play in Super Bowl X in what turned out to be his last game as a Steeler.
wn.com/Terry_Hanratty -
Terry Miller
Terry Miller (born January 7, 1956 in Columbus, Georgia) was an American football running back in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks.
Miller was an All-American at Oklahoma State University in 1976 and 1977 and finished second in the 1977 Heisman Trophy voting to winner Earl Campbell.
Miller ran for 1,060 yards in his rookie season, but had only 484 total rushing yards in his second season (second to Bills' fullback Curtis Brown). By 1980, with Buffalo having found a star in rookie running back Joe Cribbs, Miller was relegated to mostly kick return duty.
wn.com/Terry_Miller -
Thurman Thomas
Thurman Lee Thomas (born May 16, 1966) is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back who spent most of his National Football League (NFL) career with the Buffalo Bills. Thomas was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007 and into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
Thomas was born in Houston, Texas. He grew up playing football on the Missouri City Junior High School (now Missouri City Middle School) and Willowridge High School.
Thomas attended college at Oklahoma State University where he was a teammate of running back Barry Sanders. At Oklahoma State, Thomas had 897 rushes for 4,595 yards, 43 touchdowns, 5,146 total yards, and 21 100-yard rushing games. He was also a Heisman Trophy candidate in his senior year, finishing seventh in voting. He was a first team selection on the College Football All-America Team in 1985 and 1987.
In the 1987 Sun Bowl, Thomas ran for 157 yards and four touchdowns in the 35-33 victory over West Virginia, keeping Barry Sanders on the sidelines for the majority of the game. Thomas left OSU as the school's all-time leading rusher and his number 34 is one of only three jerseys retired at Oklahoma State.
wn.com/Thurman_Thomas -
Tiger Woods
Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods (born December 30, 1975) is an American professional golfer whose achievements to date rank him among the most successful golfers of all time. Formerly the World No. 1, he is the highest-paid professional athlete in the world, having earned an estimated US$90.5 million from winnings and endorsements in 2010.
Woods turned professional in 1996, and by April 1997 he had already won his first major, the 1997 Masters. He first reached the number one position in the world rankings in June 1997. Through the 2000s, Woods was the dominant force in golf, spending 264 weeks from August 1999 to September 2004 and 281 weeks from June 2005 to October 2010 as world number one. From December 2009 to early April 2010, Woods took leave from professional golf to focus on his marriage after he admitted infidelity. His multiple infidelities were revealed by several different women, through many worldwide media sources. This was followed by a loss of form, and his ranking gradually fell to a low of #58 in November 2011. He snapped a career-long winless streak of 107 weeks when he captured the Chevron World Challenge in December 2011. As of April 8, 2012, he is ranked #8.
wn.com/Tiger_Woods -
Tiki Barber
Atiim Kiambu Hakeem-Ah "Tiki" Barber (pronounced /ˈtiːki/) (born April 7, 1975) is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia.
Barber retired from the NFL at the end of the 2006 NFL postseason as the New York Giants' all-time rushing and reception leader. On February 13, 2007, he was formally introduced as a correspondent for NBC's The Today Show and Football Night in America/Sunday Night Football. Tiki was also the host of NBC's pre-show for the 66th Golden Globe Awards with Brooke Burke and Nancy O'Dell. On September 18, 2007, Barber's book, Tiki: My Life and the Game Beyond was published. The autobiography was co-written by Gil Reavill. His second book, Tiki Barber's Pure Hard Workout, which was released on November 13, 2008, by Gotham Books, reveals Barber's intensive lifting program. The book is coauthored by his trainer, Joe Carini. He is the identical twin brother of Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber.
wn.com/Tiki_Barber -
Tim Couch
Timothy Scott Couch (born July 31, 1977) is a former American college and professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons. He played college football for the University of Kentucky, and earned All-American honors. He was selected first overall by the Cleveland Browns in the 1999 NFL Draft, and he threw for over 11,000 passing yards during his NFL career.
Couch was born in Hyden, Kentucky. As a prep quarterback at Leslie County High School, he set a number of national high school records — most pass completions (872), passing yardage (12,104), touchdown passes (132), and passing percentage for a season (75.1). Following his senior 1995 season, he was recognized as Kentucky's Mr. Football. Recruiting analyst Tom Lemming called Couch the best quarterback prospect since Kyle Nowlin (St. Ignatius). ESPN ranked Couch as the No. 6 of the best high school athletes ever.
Couch also starred on the Leslie County High School basketball varsity team. He scored 36 points per game as a junior, which was the highest average in the state. Couch scored 3,023 points in his career, which as of April 2010 is good for the 26th highest total in Kentucky state history.
wn.com/Tim_Couch -
Tim Rossovich
Timothy John "Tim" Rossovich (born March 14, 1946) is a retired American football linebacker and is currently an actor. He is the brother of actor Rick Rossovich.
Rossovich was born in Palo Alto, California. He played college football at the University of Southern California and was one of five USC Trojans players taken in the first round of the 1968 NFL Draft after his senior year. Rossovich played for the National Football League Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers and Houston Oilers between 1968 and 1976. He played in the Pro Bowl in 1969. He also played for the Philadelphia Bell of the WFL between 1974-1975, until the league folded mid-way through the 1975 season. Rossovich currently resides in Grass Valley, California.
wn.com/Tim_Rossovich -
Tim Tebow
Timothy Richard Tebow ( /ˈtiːboʊ/; born August 14, 1987) is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Florida, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2007 and appearing on BCS National Championship-winning teams in the 2006 and 2008 seasons. After graduating, he was drafted by the Denver Broncos as the 25th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. Tebow is known as a dual threat quarterback, adept at both rushing and passing the football. With his unorthodox NFL quarterback skills, frequent demonstrations of his religious devotion, and his team's success, Tebow has attracted unprecedented praise, criticism, and attention from the sporting media and beyond. Commenting on Tebow's play and the attention he has garnered, many football players and observers have said that they "have never seen anything like it."
Tebow played quarterback for Nease High School in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida and was ranked among the top quarterback prospects in the nation as a high school senior. He ultimately chose to attend the University of Florida. As a backup and situational quarterback, Tebow helped the Gators win the national championship during the 2006 college football season. Tebow was the Gators' starting quarterback during the 2007 season when he became the first college sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy. In 2008, Tebow led Florida to a 13-1 record and its second national championship in three years, and was named the offensive MVP of the national championship game. The Gators again went 13–1 in 2009, Tebow's senior year. At the conclusion of his college career, he held the Southeastern Conference's all-time records in both career passing efficiency and total rushing touchdowns, appearing second and tenth (respectively) in the NCAA record book in these categories.
wn.com/Tim_Tebow -
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. (born August 3, 1977) is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.
In Brady's ten seasons as a starter, the Patriots have earned trips to the Super Bowl in half of them (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLII, and XLVI), winning three of them (XXXVI, XXXVIII, and XXXIX). He has also won two Super Bowl MVP awards (XXXVI and XXXVIII), has been selected to seven Pro Bowls (and invited to eight, although he declined the 2006 invitation), and holds the NFL record for most touchdown passes in a single regular season. His career postseason record is 16–5. He also helped set the record for the longest consecutive win streak in NFL history with 21 straight wins over two seasons (2003–04), and in 2007 he led the Patriots to the first undefeated regular season since the institution of the 16-game schedule. Brady has the fourth-highest career passer rating of all time (96.4) among quarterbacks with at least 1,500 career passing attempts.
wn.com/Tom_Brady -
Tom Cousineau
Thomas Michael Cousineau (born May 6, 1957) is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker Canadian Football League (CFL) and National Football League (NFL) for nine season during the 1970s and 1980s. he played college football for Ohio State University, and earned All-American honors. He was the first overall pick of the 1979 NFL Draft, and played professionally for the CFL's Montreal Alouettes and the NFL's Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers.
Cousineau was born in Fairview Park, Ohio. He played high school football for St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio and was one of the most highly-recruited football players in the country in his senior year. He graduated in 1975.
Cousineau decided to attend Ohio State University, where he played for coach Woody Hayes' Ohio State Buckeyes football team from 1975 to 1978. He was a consensus first-team All-American, and broke a school record with 211 tackles in a single season in 1978. He also broke a school record for most tackles in a game with 29, was the MVP of the Orange Bowl, and remains second on the school's all-time tackles list with 569.
wn.com/Tom_Cousineau -
Tom Harmon
Thomas Dudley Harmon (September 28, 1919 – March 15, 1990) was a star player in American college football, a sports broadcaster, and patriarch of a family of American actors. As a player, he won the Heisman Trophy in 1940 and is considered by some to be the greatest football player in Michigan Wolverines history.
Harmon was born in the Harmon's family home at 118 South Weston Street in Rensselaer, Indiana, in Jasper County. This house stood one block East of the Jasper County Courthouse, and was torn down in 1965. He was the youngest child of Louis A. and Rose Marie (Quinn) Harmon, who first moved to Rensselaer, Indiana from Livingston County, Illinois around 1900. In 1924, when Harmon was about 5 years old, his family moved to Gary, Indiana, but he still kept up connections with friends in Rensselaer, Indiana for many years.
Harmon attended Horace Mann High School in Gary, Indiana, graduating in 1937. While at Horace Mann High School, Harmon was already an outstanding athlete. In addition to 14 varsity letters, he was twice named All-State quarterback, Captain of the basketball team, and as a senior, won the 100 yard dash and the 200 yard low hurdles at the State Finals in Indianapolis, Indiana.
wn.com/Tom_Harmon -
Tom Mack
Thomas Lee Mack (born on November 1, 1943) is a former left guard for the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL, spending all 13-years with them from 1966 to 1978. Mack was the son of a professional baseball player (Cleveland Indians' second baseman, Ray Mack, aka Raymond James Mack [born Raymond James Mlckovsky])
Mack was the number 1 pick of the Rams in the 1966 NFL Draft, second overall, from the University of Michigan, one of only two rookies not cut in George Allen’s tough veteran-dominated squad.
During his rookie campaign when starter Don Chuy was injured during the 5th game of the season, Mack moved into the lineup. He was back as the starter for 3 games after that, lost out to Ted Karras briefly, only to reclaim the position and start for the next 12 years. Mack never missed a game through injury in his entire career, appearing in 184 consecutive contests, a streak topped only by Merlin Olsen and Jack Youngblood. He played next to center Ken Iman from 1966 to 1974 and left tackle Charley Cowan from 1966 to 1975. During Mack's career with the Rams, they compiled an impressive record, with winning seasons 12 out of the 13. During this span, the Rams enjoyed a .720 winning percentage with a won-lost-tie record of 129-48-7, winning their division (and reaching the playoffs) 8 times (1967,1969,1973 to 1978) and reaching 4 NFC championship games.
wn.com/Tom_Mack -
Tom Petranoff
Thomas ("Tom") Alan Petranoff (born April 8, 1958 in Aurora, Illinois) is a former world record holder in the javelin throw; his May 1983 effort was greater than the length of an entire American football field at 99.72 meters (327'2"). Tom Petranoff's world record added precisely three meters to the previous global standard of 96.72, set in 1980 by Hungary's Ferenc Paragi. Petranoff's prodigious effort fueled further discussion and speculation regarding the likelihood of alterations to the javelin's design and flight characteristics. Propelled by the need to shorten distances and the then frequent flat or ambiguous landings (which resulted in many controversial official judgements), a change to a new design finally took effect in April 1986. By then, East German Uwe Hohn had shattered Petranoff's mark with an incredible throw of 104.80 meters. However, this only came after the changes had been officially proposed and (unlike Petranoff's record and contrary to a popular myth) had nothing to do with the change.
wn.com/Tom_Petranoff -
Tom Ruud
Thomas Robert "Tom" Ruud (born July 26, 1953, in Olivia, Minnesota) is a former professional football player, a linebacker for the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals of the NFL. At 6'3" 223 lb, he played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers from 1972-74. At the 1975 NFL Draft, Ruud was selected in the first round (19th overall) by the Buffalo Bills. He played three seasons with the Bills and two with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Tom Ruud is a 1971 graduate of Jefferson High School in Bloomington, Minnesota. His sons Barret and Bo both played football at Nebraska and were selected in the NFL Draft.
wn.com/Tom_Ruud -
Tom Seaver
George Thomas "Tom" Seaver (born November 17, 1944), nicknamed "Tom Terrific" and "The Franchise", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched from 1967-1986 for four different teams in his career, but is noted primarily for his time with the New York Mets. During a 20-year career, Seaver compiled 311 wins, 3,640 strikeouts, 61 shutouts and a 2.86 earned run average. In 1992, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the highest percentage ever recorded (98.84%), and has the only plaque at Cooperstown wearing a New York Mets hat. As of 2010, Tom Seaver and Gil Hodges (played for the Mets in 1962-63) are the only Met players to have their jersey numbers retired by the team (Gil Hodges' number was retired as a manager even though he also played for the Mets).
He won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 1967, and three NL Cy Young Awards as the league's best pitcher. Seaver is the Mets' all-time leader in wins, and is considered by many baseball experts as one of the best starting pitchers in the history of baseball.
wn.com/Tom_Seaver -
Tom Sestak
Thomas Joseph Sestak (March 9, 1936 - April 3, 1987) was an American collegiate Professional Football defensive lineman for the Buffalo Bills of the American Football League.
In 1962, following an innovative AFL trend of drafting players from small colleges, the Bills drafted Sestak as a tight end in the 17th round from McNeese State University. Sestak would never play that position for the Bills, but instead became one of the league's greatest defensive tackles. At 6-4, he had the size, speed and strength to handle any offensive lineman.
Sestak was a starter in his rookie year and, until a series of knee injuries ended his career after the 1967 season,used his strength to dominate the line of scrimmage. Sestak was a three-time selection to All-American Football League teams and a unanimous All-AFL defensive tackle in three consecutive years; 1963, 1964 and 1965. Sestak served as the cornerstone of a defense that took the Bills to the playoffs four straight years (1963–1966) and consecutive AFL championships in 1964 and 1965. Over the 1964 and 1965 seasons, Sestak and his defense mates held opposing rushers without a touchdown for seventeen consecutive games, a Professional Football record that still stands. Twice during his outstanding career he realized the defensive lineman's "dream", returning interceptions for touchdowns, and once returned a recovered fumble for a score.
wn.com/Tom_Sestak -
Tommie Frazier
Tommie James Frazier, Jr. (born July 16, 1974) is a former American college and professional football player who was an award-winning college quarterback for the University of Nebraska. Frazier is widely considered to be one of the best players in the history of college football; however, he was hampered by injuries for his entire career.
Frazier led his team to back-to-back consensus national championships in 1994 and 1995, and he remains the only quarterback to have done so since the 1950s. He was also named Most Valuable Player of three straight bowl games that decided the national championship. The 1995 Nebraska football team is considered to have been one of the most dominant in the history of American college football. In a 2006 ESPN.com poll, the results of which aired on SportsCenter, the 1995 Nebraska team was voted the best college football team of all time.
In 1999 Frazier was selected by Sports Illustrated as a back-up quarterback in their "NCAA Football All-Century Team." The starting quarterback was Sammy Baugh and the other back-ups were John Lujack, Roger Staubach and Doug Flutie. Frazier was one of six Nebraska Cornhuskers on this 85 man roster; the others being Johnny Rodgers, Rich Glover, Dave Rimington, Dean Steinkuhler and Aaron Taylor.
wn.com/Tommie_Frazier -
Tommy Mason
Thomas Cyril Mason (born July 8, 1939 in Lake Charles, Louisiana) is a former American football running back in the National Football League.
He played college football for Tulane University.
He was selected first overall (second overall) by the expansion Minnesota Vikings in the 1961 NFL Draft. In six seasons with the Vikings, he rushed for 3,252 yards and scored 28 touchdowns. In 1967, he was signed by the Los Angeles Rams. He played with the Rams for four years, but accumulated only four touchdowns and less than 900 yards. He finished his career with the Washington Redskins in 1971 before retiring.
He ranks seventh in total rushing yards and sixth in rushing touchdowns for the Vikings.
He was formerly married to gymnast Cathy Rigby.
wn.com/Tommy_Mason -
Tommy Nobis
Thomas Henry Nobis, Jr. (born September 20, 1943 in San Antonio, Texas) is a former American football player. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School (San Antonio, TX) where he was an all-state offensive end and middle linebacker. He played college football for the University of Texas at Austin and professionally, in the National Football League, for the Atlanta Falcons.
Tommy Nobis is one of college football’s all-time greatest linebackers. In his tenure with the Texas Longhorns (1963–1965) he averaged nearly 20 tackles a game and, as the only sophomore starter, was an important participant on the Longhorns’ 1963 National College Football Championship team, which defeated Heisman Trophy winner Roger Staubach in the Cotton Bowl Classic. Nobis was a two time All-American and made the All-Southwest Conference team three times. In the 1965 Orange Bowl, Nobis made one of the most famous tackles in the game’s history. On fourth-and-inches, and clinging to a 21-17 lead, he led his teammates to a game saving halt of top ranked Alabama’s QB Joe Namath. Tommy Nobis was an iron man, playing (and starting) on both defense and offense for his entire college career. Aside from being an All-American linebacker, he also played guard on the offensive side of the ball and was often the primary blocker on touchdown runs. Famed Texas coach Darrell K. Royal called him "the finest two-way player I have ever seen." A knee injury slowed him during the latter part of his senior season, but he still was able to perform at a high level and won a number of major individual awards including the Knute Rockne Award, best lineman, the Outland Trophy, best interior lineman, and the Maxwell Award for college football’s best player. Nobis also finished seventh in the Heisman voting to USC’s Mike Garrett. He appeared on the covers of LIFE, Sports Illustrated and TIME magazines.
wn.com/Tommy_Nobis -
Tony Dorsett
Anthony "Tony" Drew Dorsett (born April 7, 1954) is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos.
The son of Wes and Myrtle, Dorsett grew up in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh.
He attended Hopewell High School, where he played football and basketball.
As a high school sophomore in 1970, Dorsett started at cornerback, as his coaches did not believe the 147-pound Dorsett was big enough to play running back, the position he played in junior high school. In 1971, a competition between Dorsett and sophomore Michael Kimbrough for the starting running back position ended after Dorsett took a screen pass 75 yards for a touchdown against Ambridge during the season opener.
Dorsett ended the year as an All-State selection after rushing for 1,034 yards and scoring 19 touchdowns, while leading the Vikings to a 9-1 season. He also remained a starting cornerback on the defensive side. In basketball Dorsett helped his team reach the WPIAL quarterfinals.
wn.com/Tony_Dorsett -
Tony Greene
Anthony Greene (born August 29, 1949 in Gaithersburg, Maryland) was an American football safety in the NFL who played for the Buffalo Bills. He played college football at the University of Maryland.
wn.com/Tony_Greene -
Troy Aikman
Troy Kenneth Aikman (born November 21, 1966) is a former American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League. The number one overall draft pick in 1989, Aikman played twelve consecutive seasons as quarterback with the Cowboys. During his career he was a six-time Pro Bowl selection, led the team to three Super Bowl victories, and was the Super Bowl XXVII MVP. Aikman was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006 and to the College Football Hall of Fame on December 9, 2008 in New York City.
Currently he works as a television sportscaster for the Fox network. He is a former joint owner of the NASCAR Sprint Cup racing team, Hall of Fame Racing, along with fellow former Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach, and is a part-owner of the San Diego Padres.
The New York Mets offered Aikman a contract out of high school, but instead of playing baseball he chose to pursue football and attended the University of Oklahoma under head coach Barry Switzer.
In 1985, his first season as a collegiate starter, Aikman led the Sooners to wins over Minnesota, Kansas State, and #17 Texas in the Red River Shootout before hosting the Miami Hurricanes and his future head coach Jimmy Johnson.
wn.com/Troy_Aikman -
Troy Smith
Troy James Smith (born July 20, 1984) is an American football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL) in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Smith has also played for the San Francisco 49ers. He has also played for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for Ohio State University, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 2006, his senior year with the Buckeyes. He took 86.7% of the first place votes in balloting for the Heisman, the most in the history of the award.
Smith's mother raised him and two siblings in Columbus, Ohio, then moved to the Glenville neighborhood of Cleveland.
Smith first brought out an interest in playing football in Cleveland, where he played for the Glenville A's, initially as running back and tight end. Irvin White, his coach, moved Smith to quarterback after a few games and Smith stayed in the position.
In 1993, Smith was placed in foster care with Diane and Irvin White while his mother dealt with personal issues.
wn.com/Troy_Smith -
Tucker Frederickson
Ivan Charles "Tucker" Frederickson (born January 12, 1943 in Hollywood, Florida) was an American football running back for the New York Giants of the NFL. Frederickson attended South Broward High School then moved on to Auburn University, and was a two-way player with the Tigers football team (averaging 4.4 yards per carry on offense and leading the team in interceptions as a safety on defense). In 1964, he won the Jacobs Award as the best blocking back in the Southeastern Conference and was a runner up in the Heisman Trophy race. Coach Shug Jordan called him "the most complete football player I've ever seen". He was an All-American in 1964. Frederickson was the first overall pick in the 1965 NFL Draft having been selected by the New York Giants, with whom he played with until a knee injury forced his retirement in 1971 (six total playing seasons). Frederickson was inducted in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994.
wn.com/Tucker_Frederickson -
Ty Detmer
Ty Hubert Detmer (born October 30, 1967) is a former American college and professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for twelve seasons. He played college football for Brigham Young University (BYU), where he won the Heisman Trophy and several other national awards. A late-round pick in the 1992 NFL Draft, he played for five NFL teams, mostly in a back-up role.
Detmer was born in San Marcos, Texas. He attended Hobby Middle School, Mount Sacred Heart Middle School, and United Middle School in Laredo, Texas, and Southwest High School in San Antonio, Texas. He earned letters in golf, football, basketball, baseball, and track. As a senior, Detmer won high school All-American honors in football and was the Texas Player of the Year. He also won all-state honors in baseball and all-district accolades in basketball.
Detmer attended Brigham Young University, where he played for the BYU Cougars football team from 1987 to 1991. In deciding which college to attend, he was in part attracted by BYU's alcohol-free environment. He redshirted for the Cougars during the 1987 season, and shared quarterback duties with Sean Covey as a redshirt freshman in 1988. Detmer started only one game that year, but he made the most of the opportunity, passing for 333 yards and five touchdowns in a 65-0 victory over New Mexico. Later, he was named Most Valuable Player of the 1988 Freedom Bowl, after entering the game as a substitute and leading BYU to a come-from-behind 20–17 victory over the Colorado Buffaloes.
wn.com/Ty_Detmer -
Tyrone Willingham
Lionel Tyrone "Ty" Willingham (born December 30, 1953) is a former American football player and coach. He was the head coach at Stanford University (1995–2001), the University of Notre Dame (2002–2004), and the University of Washington (2005–2008), compiling a career college football record of 76–88–1.
Willingham attended Jacksonville Senior High School in Jacksonville, North Carolina and lettered in football, basketball, and baseball.[citation needed] He went on to Michigan State University where he played football and baseball and graduated in 1977 with a degree in physical education. Willingham held assistant coaching positions at his alma mater (1977, 1980–82), Central Michigan University (1978–79), North Carolina State University (1983–85), Rice University (1986–88), and Stanford University (1989–91). When Stanford head coach, Dennis Green, was hired as the Minnesota Vikings head coach in 1992, Willingham followed him as running backs coach (1992–94).
Following the 1994 season, despite lacking experience as a head coach or coordinator, Willingham was appointed head coach of the football program at Stanford, succeeding Bill Walsh. In his seven seasons (1995–2001) as coach, he led the Cardinal to a 44–36–1 record and four bowl game appearances. In 2000, he was presented with the Eddie Robinson Coach of Distinction Award that is given annually to honor "an outstanding college football coach and role model for career achievement".
wn.com/Tyrone_Willingham -
Van Miller
Van Miller (born 1927) is a retired former radio and television sports announcer from Dunkirk, New York, where he began his career at Dunkirk radio station WFCB calling play-by-play for high school football games. In the 1950s, he moved to Buffalo where he became the chief play-by-play announcer for the Buffalo Bills Radio Network, the official radio broadcasting arm of the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League from the team's inception as an AFL team in 1960 to 1971, and again from 1977 to 2003. At the time of his retirement in 2003, Miller was the longest-tenured commentator with one team (37 years) in pro football history.
On July 30, 1960, Van Miller debuted on the air at War Memorial Stadium to call play-by-play for the Bills' inaugural contest against the Boston Patriots. In his 55 years in the business, Miller has earned legend status in Buffalo by doing everything imaginable behind the microphone. Besides his status as the "Voice of the Bills," Miller was the sports director for WBEN-TV/WIVB-TV for many years. During that time, he served as a sportscaster, weather reporter, and as host of the local version of It's Academic, among other shows. He also hosted a popular afternoon program for many years on WBEN radio.
wn.com/Van_Miller -
Vic Janowicz
Victor Felix "Vic" Janowicz (February 26, 1930 – February 27, 1996) was an American football halfback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins. He played college football at Ohio State University and was drafted in the seventh round of the 1952 NFL Draft. Janowicz was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1976.
Janowicz was born and raised in Elyria, Ohio as son of Polish immigrants. He went to Holy Cross Elementary School and graduated from Elyria High School. The stretch of Sixth Street which runs along the south side of Elyria High is named Vic Janowicz Drive in his honor, and the school's official address is 311 Vic Janowicz Drive. In addition, a life-size painting of Janowicz hangs in the lobby of the school. Janowicz has a relative, Jake Augustyniak, now playing football in Chicago for the St. Rita of Cascia High School Mustangs (2010–2014).
Janowicz played college football at Ohio State University. A tailback in the single wing, he won the Heisman Trophy in 1950 as a junior. Woody Hayes, who coached Janowicz's senior year, said of him, "He was not only a great runner, but also passed, was a placekicker and punter, played safety on defense and was an outstanding blocker. Janowicz epitomized the 'triple-threat' football player."[citation needed]
wn.com/Vic_Janowicz -
Vince Young
Vincent Paul Young, Jr. (born May 18, 1983), nicknamed "VY", is an American football quarterback for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He played college football at The University of Texas. Young was drafted by the Tennessee Titans with the third overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Titans. In his rookie season, Young was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and earned a roster spot on the AFC Pro Bowl team. In 2009, Young earned his second Pro Bowl Selection and was named Sporting News NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He played for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011.
As a junior in college, Young finished second behind Reggie Bush in the voting for the Heisman Trophy (though Bush later vacated the award). He won the Davey O'Brien Award which is given annually to the best collegiate quarterback in the nation. Following the Heisman voting, Young led his team to a BCS National Championship against the defending BCS national champion, University of Southern California, in the 2006 Rose Bowl. The game was called one of the most-anticipated games in the history of college football. Texas retired Young's jersey on August 30, 2008.
wn.com/Vince_Young -
Vinny Testaverde
Vincent Frank Testaverde (pronounced /tɛstəˈvɜrdi/; born November 13, 1963) is a former American college and professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for twenty-one seasons during the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. Testaverde played college football for the University of Miami, where he was an All-American and won the Heisman Trophy in 1986. He was the first overall pick in the 1987 NFL Draft, and played professionally for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers of the NFL.
Testaverde was born in Brooklyn, New York. While living in Elmont, New York, on Long Island, Testaverde went to school at Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, and graduated in 1981. He then went to Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Virginia for a post-graduate year of college preparatory work.
He accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Miami, where he played for the Miami Hurricanes football team from 1983 to 1986. As a senior in 1986, he was a consensus first-team All-American and won the Heisman Trophy, on his way to becoming the Hurricanes' all-time leader in career touchdown passes with 48. He played in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl against Penn State for the 1986 national championship, a game in which the Miami Hurricanes were heavily favored, but went on to lose 14–10 after Testaverde threw five interceptions. Testaverde played an important part in the University of Miami's history as one of the top collegiate football programs of the 1980s and 1990s. Along with Jim Kelly and Bernie Kosar, Testaverde is considered part of the University of Miami's quarterback dynasty. He was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 1998.
wn.com/Vinny_Testaverde -
Wade Phillips
Wade Allen Phillips (born June 21, 1947) is the defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans and former head coach for the National Football League's Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, and Buffalo Bills. He was also an interim head coach for the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons. His career winning percentage as a head coach is .581.
Wade is the son of former NFL coach Bum Phillips. Wade and wife Laurie have two children together. His daughter, dancer/choreographer Tracy Phillips, appeared as Helena in My Chemical Romance's music video for the song "Helena"; his son, Wes Phillips, is an assistant coach with the Cowboys.
Phillips attended Port Neches-Groves High School in Port Neches, Texas, and went on to the University of Houston, where he was a three-year starter at linebacker from 1966–68. He held the school record for career assisted tackles (228) until 2011 when the record was broken by Marcus McGraw
Phillips began his coaching career as graduate assistant to Bill Yeoman at the University of Houston in 1969. From 1970–72 he served as defensive coordinator at the former Lutcher Stark High School (now West Orange-Stark High School) in Orange, Texas. He then coached the linebackers at Oklahoma State University from 1973–1974, under his father who was OSU defensive coordinator at that time. In 1975, Phillips coached the defensive line at the University of Kansas.
wn.com/Wade_Phillips -
Wally Chambers
Wallace Hashim Chambers (born May 15, 1951 in Phenix City, Alabama) is a former American football defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears and defensive end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1970s. He was selected with the eighth overall pick by the Bears in the 1973 NFL Draft out of Eastern Kentucky University, and played previous to that for Mount Clemens High School, where he graduated in 1969.
Chambers was chosen as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year following the 1973 NFL season and was selected to play in the Pro Bowl three times (1973, 1975 and 1976). Chambers was named All-Pro following the 1976 campaign, 1976 NFL linemen of the year, NFC defensive player of the year (1975 and 1976) and also garnered second team All-Pro honors in 1973, 1974 and 1975.
wn.com/Wally_Chambers -
Walt Patulski
Walter George Patulski (born February 3, 1950, Fulton, New York) is a former American football defensive end at the University of Notre Dame and the National Football League.
Patulski was a star athlete at Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse, New York, where he was a three-year letterman in football, basketball, and track and field. In his senior season in 1967, the 6-foot-5 fullback scored 140 points and led the Brothers to a 7-1 record. He was All-City in football and basketball. A High School All-American, he received over 60 scholarship offers to play football.
In 1991, Patulski was voted to the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame for his activities as a high school athlete.
At the University of Notre Dame, Patulski was converted into a defensive end. He was an All-American in 1971, and he won the 1971 Lombardi Award, which is given to college football's best lineman. A Fighting Irish captain, he finished ninth in that year’s Heisman Trophy balloting. Selected the Nation's Lineman of the Year by UPI and Gridiron Magazine in 1971. Patulski was named to Football News sophomore All-America squad in 1969 and was an honorable mention All-American in 1970.
wn.com/Walt_Patulski -
Walter Payton
Walter Jerry Payton (July 25, 1954 – November 1, 1999) was an American football running back who played for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) for thirteen seasons. Walter Payton was known around the NFL as "Sweetness". He is remembered as one of the most prolific running backs in the history of American football. Payton, a nine-time Pro Bowl selectee, once held the league's record for most career rushing yards, touchdowns, carries, yards from scrimmage, all-purpose yards, and many other categories. He was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. Hall of Fame NFL player and coach Mike Ditka described Payton as the greatest football player he had ever seen—but even greater as a human being.
Payton began his football career in Mississippi, and went on to have an outstanding collegiate football career at Jackson State University where he was an All-American. He started his professional career with the Bears in 1975, who selected him as the 1975 Draft's fourth overall pick. Payton proceeded to win two NFL Most Valuable Player Awards and won Super Bowl XX with the 1985 Chicago Bears. After struggling with the rare liver disease primary sclerosing cholangitis for several months, Payton died on November 1, 1999, aged 45, from cholangiocarcinoma. His legacy includes the Walter Payton Award, the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, and a heightened awareness of the need for organ donations.
wn.com/Walter_Payton -
Warren Moon
Harold Warren Moon (born November 18, 1956) is a former American professional gridiron football quarterback who played for the Canadian Football League's Edmonton Eskimos and the National Football League's Houston Oilers, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs. He is currently a broadcaster for the Seattle Seahawks.
Moon is one of only two people to be enshrined in both the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the United States and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame (former coach Bud Grant, who coached the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to four Grey Cup titles and the Minnesota Vikings to four Super Bowl appearances, is the other). Moon is also the first modern African-American quarterback to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Moon held the record for most passing yardage in professional football (CFL + NFL career) until surpassed by Damon Allen on September 4, 2006, held the record for most passing touchdowns in professional football until surpassed by Brett Favre on November 22, 2007, held the record for most pass completions in professional football until surpassed by Brett Favre on December 23, 2007, and held the record for most pass attempts in professional football history until surpassed by Brett Favre on December 14, 2008.
wn.com/Warren_Moon -
Warrick Dunn
Warrick De'Mon Dunn (born January 5, 1975 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is a former American football running back, and current minority owner of the Atlanta Falcons. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12th overall in the 1997 NFL Draft, after playing college football at Florida State. Dunn was named AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1997 and earned three Pro Bowl selections in his career. He played for the Atlanta Falcons from 2002 to 2007 between stints in Tampa Bay. After his career, Dunn took a stake in the Falcons' ownership group led by Arthur Blank.
At Catholic High in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Dunn played quarterback, cornerback, and running back. During his sophomore year he helped lead Catholic High to the state 4A championship game for the first time in its history. He was an All-America honorable mention selection by USA Today as a senior.
On January 7, 1993, Dunn's mother Betty Smothers, an off-duty police officer escorting a businesswoman to a bank to make a night deposit, was ambushed and killed by armed robbers. Three men were sent to prison for the murder, and 2 remain on death row. Dunn, two days after his 18th birthday, became the head of his family and raised his siblings. In 2007, Dunn met with one of the convicted men at the Louisiana State Penitentiary.
wn.com/Warrick_Dunn -
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC (/ˈɡrɛtski/; born January 26, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for four teams from 1979 to 1999. Nicknamed "The Great One", he has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters, players, and the NHL itself. He is the leading point-scorer in NHL history, with more assists than any other player has points, and is the only NHL player to total over 200 points in one season – a feat he accomplished four times. In addition, he tallied over 100 points in 16 professional seasons, 14 of them consecutive. At the time of his retirement in 1999, he held 40 regular-season records, 15 playoff records, and six All-Star records. In addition to being its greatest scorer, Gretzky was the most gentlemanly superstar in the modern history of the NHL. He won the Lady Byng Trophy for sportsmanship and performance five times, and he often spoke out against fighting in hockey.
wn.com/Wayne_Gretzky -
Wayne Grimditch
Wayne Grimditch is a Hall of Fame water skier who competed for the United States in the 1972 Olympic Games in Germany winning two silver medals in the demonstration sport of water skiing. Grimditch would go on to establish 10 U.S. national jumping records and four world marks in the sport. He earned 16 national titles and and was the first skier to earn jumping records in the Junior Boy's, Boy's and Men's divisions simultaneously. Grimditch was known as a child prodigy qualifying for his first national tournament in slalom at just nine years old and winning the world jumping title in Copenhagen, Denmark at age 14. Due to a concussion, he began wearing a helmet which became common to the sport -- though not a requirement -- thereafter. Perhaps most notable among his world records is the one for longest ski jump, breaking his thrice-held previous records by jumping 180 feet in the air in 1975.
wn.com/Wayne_Grimditch -
Wayne Meylan
Wayne Meylan was born in Bay City, Michigan on March 2, 1946. Before playing American football for the University of Nebraska, he attended Handy High School in Bay City.
Meylan played middle guard on defense for Nebraska three years, and the team had a 25-7 record in that time. He was a consensus All-American in 1966 and 1967. In 1966, he blocked three punts and recovered two for touchdowns. Meylan set Nebraska records for most tackles in a season and most tackles in a career. He played three years in the National Football League 1968-1970, then returned to the university to complete work on his degree. He joined Engineered Systems, a company doing underground work for TV systems and phone companies. He then started Meylan Enterprises in Omaha. This company worked on contracts in 18 states. His hobby was flying World War II fighter planes in airshows.
On June 26, 1987, Wayne Meylan, age 41, was killed when his plane crashed in Ludington, Michigan. The National Transportation Safety Board ruled that the probable cause of the accident was pilot error, specifically misjudging and failing to maintain altitude and the pilot's overconfidence. [1]. Meylan was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1991.
wn.com/Wayne_Meylan -
Whitey Herzog
Dorrel Norman Elvert "Whitey" Herzog (pronounced /ˈhɜrzɒɡ/; born November 9, 1931 in New Athens, Illinois) is a former Major League Baseball manager. Born in New Athens, Illinois, he made his debut as a player in 1956 with the Washington Senators. After his playing career ended in 1963, Herzog went on to perform a variety of roles in Major League Baseball, including scout, manager, general manager and farm system director. Most noted for his success as a manager, he led the Kansas City Royals to three consecutive playoff appearances from 1976 to 1978. Hired by Gussie Busch in 1980 to helm the St. Louis Cardinals, the Cardinals won the 1982 World Series and made two other World Series appearances in 1985 and 1987 under Herzog's direction. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 25, 2010.
A left-handed batter and thrower, Herzog originally signed with the New York Yankees. While he never appeared in a major league game for them, Herzog was profoundly influenced by their manager, Casey Stengel, during several spring training sessions with the Yanks. After being traded by New York as a prospect, he played for the Washington Senators (1956–1958), Kansas City Athletics (1958–1960), Baltimore Orioles (1961–1962) and Detroit Tigers (1963). In eight seasons, Herzog batted .254 with 25 home runs, 172 runs batted in, 213 runs scored, 60 doubles, 20 triples, and 13 stolen bases in 634 games. In reference to his success as a player versus his success as a manager, Herzog once said, "Baseball has been good to me since I quit trying to play it." (Herzog has made this statement several times, most recently in an interview with Fox Sports Midwest which has aired several times in August and September 2007 during St. Louis Cardinals rain delays).
wn.com/Whitey_Herzog -
Wikipedia Persondata
wn.com/Wikipedia_Persondata -
Willie Ellison
William Henry Ellison (born November 1, 1945 in Lockhart, Texas) is a former American football running back who played eight seasons in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams and the Kansas City Chiefs. Sporting #33, he spent his first four seasons in the NFL as backup behind Larry Smith, before taking over as starting tailback in 1971. On December 5, 1971 against the New Orleans Saints he rushed 26 times for 247 yards thus breaking Cookie Gilchrist's pro football record of 243 yards. The NFL record at the time was held by Jim Brown, who ran 237 against the Los Angeles Rams in 1957. Ellison was subsequently named NFL Offensive Player of the Week by the Associated Press. Eillison went on to the Pro Bowl after the 1971 NFL season. He played college football at Texas Southern.
wn.com/Willie_Ellison -
Willie Gault
Willie James Gault (born September 5, 1960) is a former American football wide receiver and Olympic athlete. Gault played in the National Football League for 11 seasons for the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Raiders. He was a member of the Bears team that won Super Bowl XX, and was also a member of the U.S. Olympic team that boycotted the 1980 Olympics. Gault is considered one of the fastest NFL players of all-time. He is currently pursuing a career as an actor.
Gault was born in Griffin, Georgia. A star in both football and track at the University of Tennessee, Gault was part of a world record-setting 4 x 100 meter relay team, a 110 meter hurdler who would have gone to the 1980 Summer Olympics if the United States had not boycotted the event (he did attend the Liberty Bell Classic, where he won a bronze medal in the 100 meter race) and a bobsledder (he made the American Olympic team on one occasion). He was an All-American wide receiver in 1982. Willie Gault averaged almost 24 yards per kick return and scored 4 touchdowns in 78 attempts, including 3 in 1980. His personal records are 13.26 at 110 meters hurdles and 10.10 at 100 meters.
wn.com/Willie_Gault -
Willie Lanier
Willie Edward Lanier (born August 21, 1945, in Clover, Virginia) is a former American football middle-linebacker who played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1967 through 1977. He won postseason honors for eight consecutive years, making the American Football League All-Star team in 1968 and 1969 before being selected to the Pro Bowl from 1970 through 1975. He was inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.
Lanier was born in Clover and attended Maggie L. Walker High School in Richmond, Virginia.
Lanier played college football at Morgan State University under head coach Earl Banks where he was twice selected to the small-college College Football All-America Team and was also chosen MVP of the Tangerine Bowl.
Willie Lanier is a member of The Pigskin Club Of Washington, D.C. National Intercollegiate All-American Football Players Honor Roll.
On January 15, 1967, the Chiefs lost Super Bowl I to Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers by a 35-10 score, forcing head coach Hank Stram to look for defensive players in the upcoming draft. Stram picked Lanier in the second round, after the team had selected another linebacker, Jim Lynch of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
wn.com/Willie_Lanier -
Willie Mays
Willie Howard Mays, Jr. (born May 6, 1931) is a retired American professional baseball player who played the majority of his major league career with the New York and San Francisco Giants before finishing with the New York Mets. Nicknamed The Say Hey Kid, Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his first year of eligibility. Most baseball fans and historians agree that Mays was the greatest all-around baseball player to have played in the Major Leagues.
Mays won two MVP awards and tied Stan Musial's record with 24 appearances in the All-Star Game. Mays ended his career with 660 home runs, third at the time of his retirement, and currently fourth all-time. An outstanding center fielder, he won a record-tying twelve Gold Gloves starting the year the award was introduced six seasons into his career.
In 1999, Mays placed second on The Sporting News' List of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, making him the highest-ranking living player. Later that year, he was also elected to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. Mays is one of five NL players to have eight consecutive 100-RBI seasons, along with Mel Ott, Sammy Sosa, Chipper Jones and Albert Pujols. Mays hit 50 or more home runs in both 1955 and 1965. This time span represents the longest stretch between 50 plus home run seasons for any player in Major League Baseball history.
wn.com/Willie_Mays -
Willie Stargell
Wilver Dornell "Willie" Stargell (March 6, 1940 – April 9, 2001), nicknamed "Pops" in the later years of his career, was an American professional baseball player. He played his entire 21-year Major League Baseball career as the left fielder and first baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1962-1982). Over his 21-year career with the Pirates, he batted .282, with 2,232 hits, 423 doubles, 475 home runs and 1540 runs batted in, helping his team capture six National League East division titles, two National League pennants and two World Series (1971, 1979). Stargell was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988.
Stargell was born in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, but later moved to Alameda, California where he attended Encinal High School. He was signed by the Pirates at age 22, and made his Major League debut at the end of the 1962 season. He soon became a standout player, making his first of 7 trips to the All-Star Game in 1964.
Beloved in Pittsburgh for his style of play and affable manner, Stargell was known for hitting monstrous home runs, including 7 of the 16 balls ever hit completely out of Forbes Field and several of the upper-tier home runs at its successor, Three Rivers Stadium. At one time, Stargell held the record for the longest homer in nearly half of the National League parks. Standing 6 feet 2 inches, Stargell seemed larger, with his long arms and unique bat-handling practice of holding only the knob of the bat with his lower hand combining to provide extra bat extension, Stargell's swings seemed designed to hit home runs of the Ruthian variety. When most batters would use a simple lead-weighted bat in the on-deck circle, Stargell took to warming up with a sledgehammer, adding another layer of intimidation. While standing in the batter's box, he would windmill his bat until the pitcher started his windup.
wn.com/Willie_Stargell -
Willis McGahee
Willis Andrew McGahee, III (born October 21, 1981) is an American football running back for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Miami, and was recognized as an All-American. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft.
He also played for the Baltimore Ravens.
McGahee was born in Miami, Florida. He attended Miami Central High School, and played for the Miami Central Rockets high school football team.
McGahee received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Miami, where he played for the Miami Hurricanes football team from 1999 to 2002. McGahee broke several records in the 2002 season. He shattered school season records, carrying the ball 282 times for 1,753 yards (6.2 yards avg.) and 28 touchdowns. Only UCF's Kevin Smith (29 in 2007), Nebraska's Mike Rozier (29 in 1983), Oklahoma State's Barry Sanders (37 in 1988) and Wisconsin's Montee Ball (39 in 2011) ran for more touchdowns in an NCAA Division I-A season.
wn.com/Willis_McGahee -
Yale Galanter
Yale Galanter (born December 3, 1956) is an American criminal defense attorney based in Miami, Florida best known for representing O. J. Simpson since 2000.
Galanter was born in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, to Robert and Beverly Galanter. Galanter first wanted to become a professional golfer, but then he studied law at the University of Miami and Shepard Broad Law Center at Nova Southeastern University. He worked as a state prosecutor in Florida at the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office under Janet Reno.
Galanter first represented Simpson in a road rage trial in October 2001. He was also Simpson's attorney for the federal drug raid case on Simpson's home in 2001, a misdemeanor boating violation in 2002, a domestic violence call to his residence in 2003, and his writing of a fictional account of the murders of his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, called If I Did It.
Galanter also represented Simpson in Nevada vs Simpson (07-C-237890-C) in which his client was charged with twelve felony counts including conspiracy, robbery, and kidnapping relating to an armed robbery which took place in a guest room (#1203) at the Palace Station Hotel in Las Vegas on September 13, 2007. Simpson and co-defendant Charles "C.J." Stewart were convicted on October 3, 2008, on all counts at the conclusion of a month long jury trial held in Department 5 of the 8th District Court, Clark County, Nevada, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Upon his conviction bail was revoked and the 61-year old Simpson was remanded by District Judge Jackie Glass to the Clark County Detention Center pending sentencing which took place on December 5, 2008, when Mr. Simpson was given terms of incarceration in the Nevada State Prison system totaling a maximum thirty-three years.
wn.com/Yale_Galanter
Send this Playlist by SMS
Email this Page
BBC - OJ Simpson the Untold Story
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 69:51
- Updated: 11 Jan 2013
This program is an in depth investigation into new evidence that has been found surrounding the murder trial of OJ Simpson. Who did kill OJ's ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman? This is still a gripping tale. It may be five years on but this story hasn't lost its heady mixture of violence, race, sex and Hollywood glitz. Five years ago, the world watched spellbound as OJ Simpson was acquitted of murder. And interest in the case remains as great as ever. Why, asks the BBC's former Washington correspondent Bridget Kendall, are we still obsessed? Ask any American exactly where they were when the verdict in OJ Simpson's trial was announced and they will probably remember. It was one of those defining moments. When the dramatic announcement came that OJ had been found "not guilty", the reaction was almost as stunning as the unexpected verdict. America was divided down the middle. Five years since that moment, and still the ghosts in this weird and ghastly double murder have not been laid to rest. And it is somehow fitting that the latest investigation to unearth new clues into what might have happened - who did kill OJ's ex- wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman? - is not the result of police work, but a television documentary, OJ: The Untold Story. Once again, it is trial by television, a TV audience being invited to sift through the evidence and draw their own conclusions. What is more, there are some startling new revelations and a ...
http://wn.com/BBC_OJ_Simpson_the_Untold_Story
This program is an in depth investigation into new evidence that has been found surrounding the murder trial of OJ Simpson. Who did kill OJ's ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman? This is still a gripping tale. It may be five years on but this story hasn't lost its heady mixture of violence, race, sex and Hollywood glitz. Five years ago, the world watched spellbound as OJ Simpson was acquitted of murder. And interest in the case remains as great as ever. Why, asks the BBC's former Washington correspondent Bridget Kendall, are we still obsessed? Ask any American exactly where they were when the verdict in OJ Simpson's trial was announced and they will probably remember. It was one of those defining moments. When the dramatic announcement came that OJ had been found "not guilty", the reaction was almost as stunning as the unexpected verdict. America was divided down the middle. Five years since that moment, and still the ghosts in this weird and ghastly double murder have not been laid to rest. And it is somehow fitting that the latest investigation to unearth new clues into what might have happened - who did kill OJ's ex- wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman? - is not the result of police work, but a television documentary, OJ: The Untold Story. Once again, it is trial by television, a TV audience being invited to sift through the evidence and draw their own conclusions. What is more, there are some startling new revelations and a ...
OJ Simpson - The Untold Story - part 1
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 11:46
- Updated: 09 Jan 2013
2000 documentary on the oj simpson case.
http://wn.com/OJ_Simpson_The_Untold_Story_part_1
OJ on the Run: The Bronco Chase
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 9:49
- Updated: 11 Jan 2013
Football and film star OJ Simpson led police on a low-speed chase along the Los Angeles freeways shortly before his arrest for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman. This video, aired on CNN, features the sound from OJ's phone conversation with Homicide Detective Tom Lange. Listen as the accused killer tells Lange that he is the one who "deserves" to be hurt.
http://wn.com/OJ_on_the_Run_The_Bronco_Chase
Football and film star OJ Simpson led police on a low-speed chase along the Los Angeles freeways shortly before his arrest for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman. This video, aired on CNN, features the sound from OJ's phone conversation with Homicide Detective Tom Lange. Listen as the accused killer tells Lange that he is the one who "deserves" to be hurt.
- published: 01 May 2008
- views: 885030
- author: zfacts
The Case of OJ Simpson - part 1
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 14:10
- Updated: 11 Jan 2013
documentary looking at the evidence in the oj simpson case.
http://wn.com/The_Case_of_OJ_Simpson_part_1
documentary looking at the evidence in the oj simpson case.
- published: 12 Apr 2012
- views: 26402
- author: steady eddie
OJ Simpson Case Unanswered Questions - part 1
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 12:42
- Updated: 03 Jan 2013
2004 look back at the oj simpson case with geraldo rivera & mark fuhrman.
http://wn.com/OJ_Simpson_Case_Unanswered_Questions_part_1
2004 look back at the oj simpson case with geraldo rivera & mark fuhrman.
- published: 12 Apr 2012
- views: 13484
- author: steady eddie
# 40 - OJ Simpson (NFL Top 100 Players)
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:39
- Updated: 11 Jan 2013
All credit and images belong to the National Football League, and NFL Films. I do not own any of this content by any means. Orenthal James "OJ" Simpson - Nickname : The Juice Running Back Drafted : 1969 from University of Southern California, Round 1, Pick 1 Career : Bills / 49ers - 11 seasons, 135 games Awards : 1968 - Heisman Trophy Winner / 1973 - NFL MVP / 1985 - Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility Notes: The first player to rush for 2003 yards in a season (1973), Simpson is the only one to do it over a 14-game campaign. Simpson won four rushing titles (1972, 1973, 1975 and 1976) and ran for 11236 yards in his career.
http://wn.com/_40_OJ_Simpson_NFL_Top_100_Players
All credit and images belong to the National Football League, and NFL Films. I do not own any of this content by any means. Orenthal James "OJ" Simpson - Nickname : The Juice Running Back Drafted : 1969 from University of Southern California, Round 1, Pick 1 Career : Bills / 49ers - 11 seasons, 135 games Awards : 1968 - Heisman Trophy Winner / 1973 - NFL MVP / 1985 - Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility Notes: The first player to rush for 2003 yards in a season (1973), Simpson is the only one to do it over a 14-game campaign. Simpson won four rushing titles (1972, 1973, 1975 and 1976) and ran for 11236 yards in his career.
- published: 02 Aug 2012
- views: 28212
- author: JAG0884
Celebrity Survey: Kanye West, OJ Simpson, Ann Romney Edition - CONAN on TBS
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:05
- Updated: 10 Jan 2013
Boy, these celebrities are dangerously honest with Conan's questions. More CONAN @ teamcoco.com
http://wn.com/Celebrity_Survey_Kanye_West,_OJ_Simpson,_Ann_Romney_Edition_CONAN_on_TBS
Boy, these celebrities are dangerously honest with Conan's questions. More CONAN @ teamcoco.com
- published: 06 Nov 2012
- views: 16895
- author: teamcoco
OJ Simpson Murder Trial Animation - complete
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 5:43
- Updated: 08 Jan 2013
This video would have probably resulted in a hung jury if it had been used at the trial, this was broadcast a few months before the verdict. It will make you think about the true murderer.
http://wn.com/OJ_Simpson_Murder_Trial_Animation_complete
This video would have probably resulted in a hung jury if it had been used at the trial, this was broadcast a few months before the verdict. It will make you think about the true murderer.
- published: 22 Apr 2011
- views: 74426
- author: mrFalconlem
OJ Simpson Sentenced for Hotel Robbery
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:58
- Updated: 16 Dec 2012
A broken OJ Simpson was sentenced for a Las Vegas hotel armed robbery by a judge who rejected his apology and said, 'It was much more than stupidity.' (Dec. 5)
http://wn.com/OJ_Simpson_Sentenced_for_Hotel_Robbery
A broken OJ Simpson was sentenced for a Las Vegas hotel armed robbery by a judge who rejected his apology and said, 'It was much more than stupidity.' (Dec. 5)
- published: 05 Dec 2008
- views: 196921
- author: AssociatedPress
Black Dynamite: Angry OJ
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:18
- Updated: 11 Jan 2013
Tensions rise at The Whorephange and Black Dynamite makes a comeback through the chimney.
http://wn.com/Black_Dynamite_Angry_OJ
Tensions rise at The Whorephange and Black Dynamite makes a comeback through the chimney.
- published: 07 Aug 2012
- views: 88875
- author: adultswim
OJ Simpson & Company - 10 Years On - part 2
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 13:41
- Updated: 05 Jan 2013
10 year retrospective on the oj simpson trial.
http://wn.com/OJ_Simpson_Company_10_Years_On_part_2
10 year retrospective on the oj simpson trial.
- published: 12 Apr 2012
- views: 8491
- author: steady eddie
OJ Simpson vs Jerry Rice - Week 12: Grand Rapids Goats vs Miami Cyclones - APF 2k8
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 8:49
- Updated: 07 Jan 2013
If you enjoy the video SMACK that LIKE button and leave a comment :D Use Coupon Code "CANE" For $5 off your Gamma Labs Purchase! www.gammalabs.net Follow me on the Social Networks to see ALL my new videos and livestreams! www.twitter.com www.facebook.com
http://wn.com/OJ_Simpson_vs_Jerry_Rice_Week_12_Grand_Rapids_Goats_vs_Miami_Cyclones_APF_2k8
If you enjoy the video SMACK that LIKE button and leave a comment :D Use Coupon Code "CANE" For $5 off your Gamma Labs Purchase! www.gammalabs.net Follow me on the Social Networks to see ALL my new videos and livestreams! www.twitter.com www.facebook.com
- published: 13 Nov 2012
- views: 5767
- author: MrHurriicane
OJ Simpson and Nicole Brown Simpson (short)
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:03
- Updated: 09 Jan 2013
This may be the last video of OJ Simpson with Nicole Brown, taken just five weeks before he killed her. This video was shot at a Hollywood club on May 4, 1994, and though the two were long divorced -- with OJ claiming he was "over her" -- on the tape Simpson calls Brown "my woman." On June 13, 1994, Brown and her friend Ron Goldman were found knifed to death outside her home. A criminal jury acquitted Simpson of murder, but a civil jury unanimously decided Simpson killed the two victims. Now OJ Simpson is in the prison for different charges not related with their murder.
http://wn.com/OJ_Simpson_and_Nicole_Brown_Simpson_short
This may be the last video of OJ Simpson with Nicole Brown, taken just five weeks before he killed her. This video was shot at a Hollywood club on May 4, 1994, and though the two were long divorced -- with OJ claiming he was "over her" -- on the tape Simpson calls Brown "my woman." On June 13, 1994, Brown and her friend Ron Goldman were found knifed to death outside her home. A criminal jury acquitted Simpson of murder, but a civil jury unanimously decided Simpson killed the two victims. Now OJ Simpson is in the prison for different charges not related with their murder.
- published: 07 Oct 2011
- views: 27167
- author: kkg108
Decode the Scene GAME - Leslie Nielsen OJ Simpson Priscilla Presley MOVIE CLIPS
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:54
- Updated: 07 Nov 2012
Leslie Nielsen OJ Simpson Priscilla Presley MOVIE CLIPS click to subscribe j.mp A dream sequence illuminates the words that Frank (Leslie Nielsen) writes in a letter to Jane (Priscilla Presley) from prison. TM & © Paramount (2012) Cast: Adam Hasart, Leslie Nielsen, OJ Simpson, Ann B. Davis, Priscilla Presley, Vanessa Sandin Director: Peter Segal MOVIECLIPS YouTube Channel: j.mp Join our Facebook page: j.mp Follow us on Twitter: j.mp Buy Movie: amzn.to Producer: Jim Abrahams, Michael Ewing, William C. Gerrity, Robert LoCash, Gil Netter, Robert K. Weiss, Jeff Wright, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker Screenwriter: Pat Proft, David Zucker, Robert LoCash, Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker Film Description: The further misadventures of bumbling Los Angeles police Lieutenant Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) are chronicled in this third installment in the popular Naked Gun comedy series. This by-the-numbers entry begins with Drebin as a happily retired house-husband called back into action when an evil terrorist organization threatens Los Angeles. As in the other Naked Gun films, this plot is merely an excuse for an unhinged, rapid-fire succession of gags, ranging from satirical lampoons of cop movies to broad slapstick, all played with a perfectly straight face. Nielsen provides his familiar combination of complete witlessness and oblivious dignity as Drebin, and the film attempts to match the earlier Naked Gun films -- and the Police Squad! television series that inspired them -- in the number ...
http://wn.com/Decode_the_Scene_GAME_Leslie_Nielsen_OJ_Simpson_Priscilla_Presley_MOVIE_CLIPS
Leslie Nielsen OJ Simpson Priscilla Presley MOVIE CLIPS click to subscribe j.mp A dream sequence illuminates the words that Frank (Leslie Nielsen) writes in a letter to Jane (Priscilla Presley) from prison. TM & © Paramount (2012) Cast: Adam Hasart, Leslie Nielsen, OJ Simpson, Ann B. Davis, Priscilla Presley, Vanessa Sandin Director: Peter Segal MOVIECLIPS YouTube Channel: j.mp Join our Facebook page: j.mp Follow us on Twitter: j.mp Buy Movie: amzn.to Producer: Jim Abrahams, Michael Ewing, William C. Gerrity, Robert LoCash, Gil Netter, Robert K. Weiss, Jeff Wright, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker Screenwriter: Pat Proft, David Zucker, Robert LoCash, Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker Film Description: The further misadventures of bumbling Los Angeles police Lieutenant Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) are chronicled in this third installment in the popular Naked Gun comedy series. This by-the-numbers entry begins with Drebin as a happily retired house-husband called back into action when an evil terrorist organization threatens Los Angeles. As in the other Naked Gun films, this plot is merely an excuse for an unhinged, rapid-fire succession of gags, ranging from satirical lampoons of cop movies to broad slapstick, all played with a perfectly straight face. Nielsen provides his familiar combination of complete witlessness and oblivious dignity as Drebin, and the film attempts to match the earlier Naked Gun films -- and the Police Squad! television series that inspired them -- in the number ...
- published: 29 Sep 2012
- views: 40
- author: movieclipsGAMES
1989 - OJ Simpson
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:47
- Updated: 21 Dec 2012
Late Night with David Letterman.. Still one of the funniest segments!!
http://wn.com/1989_OJ_Simpson
Late Night with David Letterman.. Still one of the funniest segments!!
- published: 06 Jan 2012
- views: 11592
- author: AllDavidLetterman
Halo 4 - hyperactive live comm - more swearing than blinking - OJ Simpson?
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 6:48
- Updated: 21 Dec 2012
I'm back? On Halo 4? AND MURDER-FURKIN-HYPER! Surrbscribe. Because I lurv ya! :) ----------------------------- •Stalk me: www.twitter.com www.facebook.com
http://wn.com/Halo_4_hyperactive_live_comm_more_swearing_than_blinking_OJ_Simpson?
I'm back? On Halo 4? AND MURDER-FURKIN-HYPER! Surrbscribe. Because I lurv ya! :) ----------------------------- •Stalk me: www.twitter.com www.facebook.com
- published: 03 Dec 2012
- views: 412
- author: TheMightyPnut
OJ Simpson - The Untold Story - part 3
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 12:28
- Updated: 11 Jan 2013
2000 documentary on the oj simpson case.
http://wn.com/OJ_Simpson_The_Untold_Story_part_3
Norm Macdonald Stand Up - OJ Simpson
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:55
- Updated: 09 Jan 2013
http://wn.com/Norm_Macdonald_Stand_Up_OJ_Simpson
Servin These Streets (in studio) OJ Simpson
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 5:01
- Updated: 08 Jan 2013
New in studio video from the hip-hop group OJ Simpson off there street album POD
http://wn.com/Servin_These_Streets_in_studio_OJ_Simpson
New in studio video from the hip-hop group OJ Simpson off there street album POD
- published: 10 May 2012
- views: 11522
- author: bigo2g2
Al Michaels Plays Tennis with OJ | Best BS
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 12:15
- Updated: 11 Jan 2013
Al Michaels discusses playing tennis at the house of his neighbor and broadcast partner OJ Simpson, and then talks about his experience before and after the double slayings in Brentwood. Visit Grantland: www.Grantland.com Grantland on Twitter www.Twitter.com Grantland on Facebook: www.facebook.com The BS Report Podcast: espn.go.com Grantland Network Podcasts: www.grantland.com
http://wn.com/Al_Michaels_Plays_Tennis_with_OJ_|_Best_BS
Al Michaels discusses playing tennis at the house of his neighbor and broadcast partner OJ Simpson, and then talks about his experience before and after the double slayings in Brentwood. Visit Grantland: www.Grantland.com Grantland on Twitter www.Twitter.com Grantland on Facebook: www.facebook.com The BS Report Podcast: espn.go.com Grantland Network Podcasts: www.grantland.com
- published: 05 Sep 2012
- views: 17273
- author: GrantlandNetwork
OJ Simpson - The Untold Story - part 4
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 14:47
- Updated: 11 Jan 2013
2000 documentary on the oj simpson case.
http://wn.com/OJ_Simpson_The_Untold_Story_part_4
1 of 6 A & E OJ Simpson Pursuit
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 9:39
- Updated: 27 Dec 2012
The OJ Simpson pursuit is/was the most watched pursuit in world history. Watched live by over 93 million viewers, the pursuit pre-empted game 5 of the NBA play-offs and represents a, "Where were you when...?" moment for millions. The pursuit was initiated by Orange County Sheriff's Deputy Larry Pool. The second officer to respond, Orange County Sheriff's Sergeant Jim Sewell, supervised the pursuit. The front row formation of the pursuit was comprised of four Orange County Sheriff's units. One Santa Ana Police unit (Canine officer Miller) was authorized by to remain with the pursuit. Officer Pool and Sewell began the pursuit and each chased Simpson into the driveway at his Brentwood home. Neither Simpson's flight from justice nor the pursuit were addressed during Simpson's trial.
http://wn.com/1_of_6_A_E_OJ_Simpson_Pursuit
The OJ Simpson pursuit is/was the most watched pursuit in world history. Watched live by over 93 million viewers, the pursuit pre-empted game 5 of the NBA play-offs and represents a, "Where were you when...?" moment for millions. The pursuit was initiated by Orange County Sheriff's Deputy Larry Pool. The second officer to respond, Orange County Sheriff's Sergeant Jim Sewell, supervised the pursuit. The front row formation of the pursuit was comprised of four Orange County Sheriff's units. One Santa Ana Police unit (Canine officer Miller) was authorized by to remain with the pursuit. Officer Pool and Sewell began the pursuit and each chased Simpson into the driveway at his Brentwood home. Neither Simpson's flight from justice nor the pursuit were addressed during Simpson's trial.
- published: 07 Mar 2012
- views: 15204
- author: lpoolnetwork
GUILTY SIMPSON X MADLIB - CALI HILLS - OJ SIMPSON
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:06
- Updated: 05 Jan 2013
Guilty Simpson + Madlib = OJ Simpson. "Cali Hills" off the album OJ Simpson. This track is Guilty Simpson's ode the the late great J Dilla. stonesthrow.com
http://wn.com/GUILTY_SIMPSON_X_MADLIB_CALI_HILLS_OJ_SIMPSON
Guilty Simpson + Madlib = OJ Simpson. "Cali Hills" off the album OJ Simpson. This track is Guilty Simpson's ode the the late great J Dilla. stonesthrow.com
- published: 29 Mar 2010
- views: 72513
- author: stonesthrowradio
photo: AP / Channi Anand
09 Jan 2013
JAMMU, India (Reuters) - India slammed arch-rival Pakistan on Wednesday over a fire fight in the disputed territory of Kashmir in which two of its soldiers were killed, and said the mutilation of one of the bodies was "inhuman". India's Defence Minister A.K. Antony waits to speak at a plenary session of the 11th International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) Asia Security Summit ... REUTERS/Tim Chong ... ....(size: 2.6Kb)
photo: AP / Alexandre Meneghini
10 Jan 2013
Mexican has enacted a law that will ensure that the victims and relatives of crime are compensated with payments and social services from the state. The law, enacted by President Enrique Pena Nieto on Wednesday, comprises the creation of a fund to pay relatives up to $70,000 in compensation for an innocent victim killed in attacks by drug gangs ... “There are thousands of people who have suffered the ravages of violence ... Share ... ....(size: 18.3Kb)
photo: AP / Jacques Brinon
10 Jan 2013
PARIS. Three Kurdish women, including one of the founders of a militant group battling Turkish troops since 1984, were "executed" at a Kurdish center in Paris, the interior minister said on Thursday. Turkey's Anadolu news agency identified one of the victims as Sakine Cansiz, a founding member of the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK ... He called it a "totally intolerable act." ... ....(size: 1.7Kb)
photo: AP / Arshad Butt
11 Jan 2013
QUETTA, Pakistan -- A series of bombings killed 115 people in Pakistan yesterday, including 81 who died in a sectarian attack on a billiard hall in the southwest city of Quetta, officials said. The blasts punctuated one of the deadliest days in recent years in Pakistan, where the government faces a bloody insurgency by militants in the northwest and Baluch militants in the southwest ... No group claimed responsibility for the attack.. . .....(size: 7.7Kb)
photo: White House / Pete Souza
10 Jan 2013
Article by WN.com Correspondent Dallas Darling. "Lay then, the axe to the root, and teach governments humanity. It is their sanguinary punishments which corrupt mankind." -Thomas Paine, "The Rights of Man". If alive today, Thomas Paine would recognize that the United States Government is not worthy of its citizens ... He would caution the People ... Paine would also empathize with ... In another town, Paine would identify with ... (1) Paine, Thomas....(size: 4.8Kb)
The State
12 Jan 2013
“Being ranked so high and having a target on the back is something the girls are still learning how to handle,” said Griffins coach Cedrick Simpson, who guided the program to its first winning season in 12 years in his first year on the job last winter ... “She’s the best guard and the best leader in the state, and she showed why with a great game,” Simpson said....(size: 3.2Kb)
Canberra Times
12 Jan 2013
IF EVERYTHING you read in women's magazines is true, and I see no reason why it wouldn't be, then apparently Jessica Simpson is pregnant again (true!), and Jessica Simpson is not pregnant again (true!), and women are sick of conforming to unrealistic cookie-cutter body images (true!) and cookie cutters are a great way to make summer-themed beach treats that ensure women do not conform to cookie-cutter body images (true!)....(size: 3.6Kb)
U~T San Diego
12 Jan 2013
The successful candidate, Wayne Lingenfelter, lives in a small part of Vista that is in the neighboring Palomar Health district ... 1 ... He declined to comment ... Patricia Simpson, the woman who lives in the Ocean Hills home, told The Watchdog that the Lingenfelters informed her from the start of the lease that they planned to move in when the lease expired. “I knew it was going to happen so nothing was a surprise,” Simpson said ... ....(size: 3.1Kb)
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
12 Jan 2013
He interviewed painters on the Golden Gate Bridge and sat atop the H of the Hollywood sign ... He was 67. Ryan Morris, his assistant at Huell Howser Productions, said he died of natural causes ... Mr. Howser achieved a measure of national fame when he was parodied on "The Simpsons" in 2005. A character named Howell Huser, after visiting the Simpsons' hometown, Springfield, went on television to declare it the "Worst Town Ever." ... ....(size: 3.0Kb)
Canberra Times
12 Jan 2013
Fremantle Dockers 2013. 1 Hayden Ballantyne . 2 Anthony Morabito . 3 Zac Dawson . 4 Jayden Pitt . 5 Garrick Ibbotson . 6 Danyle Pearce . 7 Nathan Fyfe . 8 Nick Suban . 9 Matt De Boer . 10 Michael Walters . 11 Tom Sheridan . 12 Jonathon Griffin ... 14 Joshua Simpson ... Rookies ... 17. JOSH SIMPSON (East Fremantle, 18, 183cm, 72kg) ... ....(size: 3.6Kb)
IMDb
12 Jan 2013
San Francisco Chronicle
12 Jan 2013
IMDb
12 Jan 2013
IMDb
12 Jan 2013
Miranda Kerr has said that she and Orlando Bloom are too busy to have another child yet ... The 29-year-old told People ... She said. "It was a lot of fun... - By Leah Simpson. ....(size: 0.9Kb)
Huffington Post
12 Jan 2013
Hollywood is no stranger to doing things unconventionally, and many of today's stars are opting to put buns in the oven before getting hitched ... Loading Slideshow. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. Jessica Simpson. Salma Hayek ... Natalie Portman ... Adele ... Like ... ....(size: 3.7Kb)
Huffington Post
12 Jan 2013
Simpson found himself in the middle of the nation's biggest, most-televised trial following the deaths of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman, but not before fleeing an all-points bulletin in his Ford Bronco with 20 units in tow, interrupting game 5 of the NBA Finals....(size: 12.3Kb)
Chicago Tribune
12 Jan 2013
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The District of Columbia has declined to prosecute NBC News anchor David Gregory for displaying an illegal high-capacity gun clip on a broadcast, a prosecutor said on Friday ... His office "has determined to exercise its prosecutorial discretion to decline to bring criminal charges against Mr ... (Reporting by Ian Simpson; Editing by Eric Walsh). ....(size: 2.3Kb)
MSNBC
12 Jan 2013
It's been nearly a week since Joe Randolph was shot and killed at his Lexington home, and police are still looking for the shooter. Meanwhile, Randolph's classmates from 30 years ago are doing their part to help investigators. They've raised money for a reward ... January 7, the 48 year-old was shot in the head at his Lexington home on Simpson avenue ... Advertise . AdChoices. Advertise ... ....(size: 2.4Kb)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Orenthal James "O. J." Simpson (born July 9, 1947), nicknamed "The Juice", is a retired American college and professional football player, football broadcaster and actor. Simpson was a running back, the American Football League's Buffalo Bills' first overall pick in the 1969 Common Draft, and the first professional football player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season, a mark he set in 1973. While five other players have passed the 2,000 rush yard mark he stands alone as the only player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a fourteen-game season (professional football changed to a sixteen-game season in 1978). He holds the record for the single season yards-per-game average, which stands at 143.1 ypg. Simpson was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985. He also had a successful career in acting and sports commentary.
In 1995, Simpson was acquitted of the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman after a lengthy, internationally publicized criminal trial – the People v. Simpson. In 1997 a civil court awarded a judgment against Simpson for their wrongful deaths; to date he has paid little of the $33.5 million penalty.[2] His book, If I Did It (2006), which purports to be a first-person fictional account of the murders had he actually committed them, was withdrawn by the publisher just before its release. The book was later released by the Goldman family.[3] In September 2007, Simpson was arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada, and charged with numerous felonies, including armed robbery and kidnapping.[4] In 2008, he was found guilty[5][6] and sentenced to thirty-three years' imprisonment, with a minimum of nine years without parole.[7] He is serving his sentence at the Lovelock Correctional Center in Lovelock, Nevada.[8]
Contents |
Early life[link]
Simpson was born in San Francisco, the son of Eunice (née Durden; October 23, 1921 – San Francisco, California, November 9, 2001), a hospital administrator, and Jimmy Lee Simpson (Arkansas, January 29, 1920 – San Francisco, California, June 9, 1986), a chef and bank custodian.[9] Simpson's maternal grandparents were from Louisiana.[10] His aunt gave him the name Orenthal, which supposedly was the name of a French actor she liked.[11] Simpson has one brother, Melvin Leon "Truman" Simpson, and one living sister, Shirley Simpson-Baker, and one deceased sister, Carmelita Simpson-Durio. As a child, Simpson developed rickets and wore braces on his legs until the age of five.[12] His parents separated in 1952.[citation needed]
At Galileo High School in San Francisco, Simpson played for the school football team, the Galileo Lions. From 1965 to 1966, Simpson was a student at City College of San Francisco, a member of the California Community College system. He played both offense (running back) and defense (defensive back) and was named to the Junior College All-American team as a running back.
College football career[link]
Simpson gained an athletic scholarship to the University of Southern California where he played running back in 1967 and 1968. Simpson led the nation in rushing in 1967 when he ran for 1,451 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. He also led the nation in rushing the next year with 355 carries for 1,709 yards.
In 1967, he starred in the 1967 USC vs. UCLA football game and was a Heisman Trophy candidate as a junior, but he did not win the award. His 64-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter tied the game, with the extra point after touchdown providing the win. This was the biggest play in what is regarded as one of the greatest football games of the 20th century.[13]
Another dramatic touchdown in the same game is the subject of the Arnold Friberg oil painting, O.J. Simpson Breaks for Daylight. Simpson also won the Walter Camp Award in 1967 and was a two-time consensus All-American.[14] He ran in the USC sprint relay quartet that broke the world record in the 4x110 yard relay at the NCAA track championships in Provo, Utah in June 1967. (While this time has not been beaten, the IAAF now refers to it as a world's best, not a world record. The scarcity of events over distances measured in imperial units resulted in the designation change in 1976.)[15]
In 1968, he rushed for 1,709 yards and 22 touchdowns, earning the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award, and the Walter Camp Award that year. He still holds the record for the Heisman's largest margin of victory, defeating the runner-up by 1,750 points. In the 1969 Rose Bowl where No. 2 USC faced No. 1 Ohio State, Simpson ran for 171 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown run in a 16–27 loss.[16]
Professional football career[link]
Buffalo Bills[link]
Simpson was drafted by the AFL's Buffalo Bills, who got first pick in the 1969 AFL-NFL Common Draft after finishing 1–12–1 in 1968. Early in his professional football career, Simpson struggled on poor Buffalo teams, averaging only 622 yards per season for his first three.
He first rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 1972, gaining a total of 1,251. In 1973, Simpson rushed for a record 2,003 yards, becoming the first player ever to pass the 2,000-yard mark, and scored 12 touchdowns. Simpson gained more than 1,000 rushing yards for each of his next three seasons. From 1972 to 1976, Simpson averaged 1,540 rushing yards per (14 game) season, 5.1 yards per carry, and he won the NFL rushing title four times. Simpson had the best game of his career during the Thanksgiving game against the Detroit Lions on November 25, 1976, when he rushed for a then record 273 yards on 29 attempts and scoring two touchdowns.
Simpson's 1977 season in Buffalo was cut short by injury.
San Francisco 49ers[link]
Before the 1978 season, the Bills traded Simpson to the San Francisco 49ers for a series of draft picks.[17] He played two seasons.
Summary[link]
Simpson gained 11,236 rushing yards, placing him 2nd on the NFL's all-time rushing list; he now stands at 17th. He was named NFL Player of the Year in 1973, and played in six Pro Bowls. He was the only player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a 14 game season and he's the only player to rush for over 200 yards in six different games in his career. Simpson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985, his first year of eligibility.
Simpson acquired the nickname "Juice" as a play on "O. J.", an informal abbreviation for "Orange Juice". "Juice" is also a colloquial synonym for electricity or electrical power, and hence a metaphor for any powerful entity; the Bills' offensive line at Simpson's peak was nicknamed "The Electric Company."
Acting career[link]
Even before his retirement from football and in the NFL, Simpson embarked on a successful film career with parts in films such as the television mini-series Roots, and the dramatic motion pictures The Cassandra Crossing, Capricorn One, The Klansman, The Towering Inferno, and the comedic Back to the Beach and The Naked Gun trilogy. In 1979, he started his own film production company, Orenthal Productions, which dealt mostly in made-for-TV fare such as the family-oriented Goldie and the Boxer films with Melissa Michaelsen and Cocaine and Blue Eyes, the pilot for a proposed detective series on NBC. NBC was considering whether to air Frogmen, another series starring Simpson, when his arrest canceled the project.[18]
Simpson's amiable persona and natural charisma landed him numerous endorsement deals. He was a spokesman for the Hertz rental car company. He would be depicted running through airports, as if to suggest he was back on the football field. Simpson was also a longtime spokesman for Pioneer Chicken and owned two franchises, one of which was destroyed during the 1992 Los Angeles riots; as well as HoneyBaked Ham, the pX Corporation, and Calistoga Water Company's line of Napa Naturals soft drinks. He also appeared in comic book ads for Dingo cowboy boots.
Besides his acting career, Simpson worked as a commentator for Monday Night Football and The NFL on NBC.[19] He also appeared in the audience of Saturday Night Live during its second season and hosted an episode during its third season.[20][21]
Family life[link]
2.JPG)
On June 24, 1967, Simpson married Marguerite L. Whitley. Together they had three children: Arnelle L. Simpson (born December 4, 1968), Jason L. Simpson (born April 21, 1970) and Aaren Lashone Simpson (born September 24, 1977). In August 1979, Aaren drowned in the family's swimming pool a month before her second birthday.[22] Simpson and Whitley were also divorced that same year.[23]
On February 2, 1985, Simpson married Nicole Brown. They had two children, Sydney Brooke Simpson (born October 17, 1985) and Justin Ryan Simpson (born August 6, 1988), and were divorced in 1992.
Nicole Brown and her friend Ronald Goldman were murdered on June 12, 1994. Simpson was charged with their deaths and subsequently acquitted of all criminal charges in a controversial criminal trial. In the unanimous jury findings of a civil court case in February 1997, Simpson was found liable for the wrongful death of Ronald Goldman and battery of Nicole Brown.
Legal history[link]
Criminal trial for murder[link]
Main article: O. J. Simpson murder case
In 1989, Simpson pleaded no contest to a domestic violence charge and was separated from Nicole Brown, to whom he was paying child support. On June 12, 1994 Brown and her friend Ronald Goldman were found dead outside Brown's condominium. Simpson was charged with their murders. On June 17, after failing to turn himself in, he became the object of a low-speed pursuit in a white Ford Bronco SUV that interrupted coverage of the 1994 NBA Finals. The pursuit, arrest, and trial were among the most widely publicized events in American history. The trial, often characterized as "the trial of the century," culminated on October 3, 1995 in a jury verdict of not guilty for the two murders. The verdict was seen live on TV by more than half of the U.S. population, making it one of the most watched events in American TV history. Immediate reaction to the verdict was notable for its division along racial lines: polls showed that most African-Americans felt that justice had been served by the "not guilty" verdict, while most white Americans did not.[24] O. J. Simpson's defense counsel included Johnnie Cochran, Robert Kardashian, and F. Lee Bailey.
Wrongful death civil trial[link]
On February 5, 1997 a civil jury in Santa Monica, California unanimously found Simpson liable for the wrongful death of and battery against Goldman, and battery against Brown. Daniel Petrocelli represented plaintiff Fred Goldman, Ronald Goldman's father. Simpson was ordered to pay $33,500,000 in damages. However, California law protects pensions from being used to satisfy judgments, so Simpson was able to continue much of his lifestyle based on his NFL pension. In February 1999, an auction of Simpson's Heisman Trophy and other belongings netted almost $500,000. The money went to the Goldman family.
A 2000 Rolling Stone article reported that Simpson still made a significant income by signing autographs. He subsequently moved from California to Miami. In Florida, a person's residence cannot be seized to collect a debt under most circumstances. The Goldman family also tried to collect Simpson's NFL pension of $28,000 a year[25] but failed to collect any money.[26]
On September 5, 2006, Goldman's father took Simpson back to court to obtain control over his "right to publicity" for purposes of satisfying the judgment in the civil court case.[2] On January 4, 2007, a Federal judge issued a restraining order prohibiting Simpson from spending any advance he may have received on a canceled book deal and TV interview about the 1994 murders. The matter was dismissed before trial for lack of jurisdiction.[2] On January 19, 2007, a California state judge issued an additional restraining order, ordering Simpson to restrict his spending to "ordinary and necessary living expenses".[2]
On March 13, 2007, a judge prevented Simpson from receiving any further compensation from the defunct book deal and TV interview. He ordered the bundled book rights to be auctioned.[27] In August 2007, a Florida bankruptcy court awarded the rights to the book to the Goldman family to partially satisfy an unpaid civil judgment. The book was renamed If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer, with the word "If" reduced in size to make it appear that the title was "I Did It: Confessions of the Killer", and comments were added to the original manuscript by the Goldman family, author Pablo Fenjves, and prominent investigative journalist Dominick Dunne. The Goldman family was listed as the author.[3]
Alleged confession[link]
Mike Gilbert, a memorabilia dealer and former agent and friend of Simpson, wrote a book titled How I Helped O.J. Get Away with Murder: The Shocking Inside Story of Violence, Loyalty, Regret and Remorse.[28] He states that Simpson had smoked marijuana, took a sleeping pill and was drinking beer when he allegedly confided at his Brentwood home weeks after his trial what happened the night of June 12, 1994. According to Gilbert, Simpson said, "If she hadn't opened that door with a knife in her hand...she'd still be alive."[29] Gilbert claimed Simpson had confessed. However, Simpson's current lawyer, Yale Galanter, said none of Gilbert's claims are true and that Gilbert is "a delusional drug addict who needs money. He has fallen on very hard times. He is in trouble with the Internal Revenue Service."[29]
Miscellaneous legal troubles[link]
The State of California claims Simpson owes $1.44 million in past due taxes.[30] A tax lien was filed in his case on September 1, 1999.[31]
In February 2001, Simpson was arrested in Miami-Dade County, Florida for simple battery and burglary of an occupied conveyance for allegedly yanking the glasses off another motorist during a traffic dispute three months earlier. If convicted, Simpson faced up to sixteen years in prison. He was put on trial and quickly acquitted on both charges in October 2001.[32]
Simpson's Miami home was searched by the FBI on December 4, 2001 on suspicion of ecstasy possession and money laundering. The FBI had received a tip that O.J. Simpson was involved in a major drug trafficking ring after 10 other suspects were arrested in the case. Simpson's home was thoroughly searched for two hours, but no illegal drugs were discovered, and no arrest or formal charges were filed following the search. However, investigators uncovered equipment capable of stealing satellite television programming which eventually led to Simpson being sued in federal court.[33]
On July 4, 2002, O.J. Simpson was arrested in Miami-Dade County, Florida for speeding through a Manatee Protection Zone and failing to comply with proper boating regulations. His attorney, Yale Galanter, was able to get the misdemeanor boating regulation charge dropped and Simpson only had to pay a fine for the speeding infraction.[34]
In March 2004, satellite television network DirecTV, Inc. accused Simpson in a Miami federal court of using illegal electronic devices to pirate its broadcast signals. The company later won a $25,000 judgment, and Simpson was ordered to pay $33,678 in attorney's fees and costs.[35]
Las Vegas robbery[link]
Main article: O. J. Simpson robbery case
| Orenthal James Simpson | |
|---|---|
| Motive | Personal gain |
| Charge(s) | Robbery, kidnapping, coercion, conspiracy |
| Conviction(s) | October 3, 2008 |
| Penalty | Up to 33 years in state prison, eligible for parole after nine years |
| Status | Incarcerated at Lovelock Correctional Center, Nevada |
 |
Wikinews has related news: |
In September 2007, a group of men led by Simpson entered a room at the Palace Station hotel-casino and took sports memorabilia at gunpoint, which resulted in Simpson being questioned by police.[36][37] Simpson admitted to taking the items, which he said had been stolen from him, but denied breaking into the hotel room; he also denied that he or anyone else carried a gun.[38][39] He was released after questioning.
Two days later, however, Simpson was arrested[4] and initially held without bail.[40] Along with three other men, Simpson was charged with multiple felony counts, including criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, assault, robbery, and using a deadly weapon.[41][42] Bail was set at $125,000, with stipulations that Simpson have no contact with the co-defendants and that he surrender his passport. Simpson did not enter a plea.[43][44]
By the end of October 2007, all three of Simpson's co-defendants had plea-bargained with the prosecution in the Clark County, Nevada court case. Walter Alexander and Charles H. Cashmore accepted plea agreements in exchange for reduced charges and their testimony against Simpson and three other co-defendants, including testimony that guns were used in the robbery.[45] Co-defendant Michael McClinton told a Las Vegas judge that he too would plead guilty to reduced charges and testify against Simpson that guns were used in the robbery. After the hearings, the judge ordered that Simpson be tried for the heist.
Simpson's preliminary hearing, to decide whether he would be tried for the charges, occurred on November 8, 2007. He was held over for trial on all 12 counts. Simpson pleaded not guilty on November 29. Court officers and attorneys announced on May 22, 2008, that long questionnaires with at least 115 queries would be given to a jury pool of 400 or more.[46] Trial was reset from April to September 8, 2008.[46]
In January 2008, Simpson was taken into custody in Florida and flown to Las Vegas where he was incarcerated at the county jail for allegedly violating the terms of his bail by attempting to contact Clarence "C.J." Stewart, a co-defendant in the trial. District Attorney David Roger of Clark County provided District Court Judge Jackie Glass with evidence that Simpson had violated his bail terms. A hearing took place on January 16, 2008. Glass raised Simpson's bail to US$250,000 and ordered that he remain in county jail until 15 percent was paid, in cash.[47] Simpson posted bond that evening and returned to Miami the next day.[48]
Simpson and his co-defendant were found guilty of all charges on October 3, 2008.[5] On October 10, 2008, O. J. Simpson's counsels moved for new trial (trial de novo) on grounds of judicial errors (two African-American jurors were dismissed) and insufficient evidence.[49] Galanter announced he would appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court if Judge Glass denied the motion.[49] The attorney for Simpson's co-defendant, C.J. Stewart, petitioned for a new trial, alleging Stewart should have been tried separately, and cited perceived misconduct by the jury foreman, Paul Connelly.[49][50][51]
Simpson faced a possible life sentence with parole on the kidnapping charge, and mandatory prison time for armed robbery.[52] On December 5, 2008, Simpson was sentenced to a total of thirty-three years in prison[53] with the possibility of parole after about nine years, in 2017.[7] On September 4, 2009, the Nevada Supreme Court denied a request for bail during Simpson's appeal. In October 2010, the Nevada Supreme Court affirmed his convictions.[54] He is now serving his sentence at the Lovelock Correctional Center.[55]
Filmography[link]
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Ironside | Onlooker – uncredited | TV Episode – "Price Tag Death" |
| Dragnet 1968 | Student - uncredited | TV Episode - "Community Relations DR:10" | |
| 1969 | Medical Center | Bru Wiley | TV Episode "The Last 10 Yards" |
| 1971 | Why? | The Athlete | short film |
| 1972 | Cade's County | Jeff Hughes | TV Episode "Blackout" |
| 1973 | Here's Lucy | Himself | (TV series) episode "The Big Game" |
| 1974 | The Klansman | Garth | |
| O. J. Simpson: Juice on the Loose | Himself | TV documentary | |
| The Towering Inferno | Jernigan | ||
| 1976 | The Cassandra Crossing | Haley | |
| Killer Force | Alexander | ||
| 1977 | A Killing Affair | Woodrow York | TV |
| Roots | Kadi Touray | ||
| 1978 | Capricorn One | Cmdr. John Walker | |
| 1979 | Firepower | Catlett | |
| Goldie and the Boxer | Joe Gallagher | TV (executive producer) | |
| 1980 | Detour to Terror | Lee Hayes | TV (executive producer) |
| 1981 | Goldie and the Boxer Go to Hollywood | Joe Gallagher | TV (executive producer) |
| 1983 | Cocaine and Blue Eyes | Michael Brennen | TV (executive producer) |
| 1984 | Hambone and Hillie | Tucker | |
| 1985–1991 | 1st & Ten | T.D. Parker | Five episodes |
| 1987 | Back to the Beach | Man at Airport | Uncredited |
| Student Exchange | Soccer Coach | TV | |
| 1988 | The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! | Detective Nordberg | |
| 1989 | In the Heat of the Night | Councilman Lawson Stiles | TV episode "Walkout" |
| 1991 | The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear | Detective Nordberg | |
| 1993 | CIA Code Name: Alexa | Nick Murphy | |
| No Place to Hide | Allie Wheeler | ||
| 1994 | Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult | Detective Nordberg | |
| Frogmen | John 'Bullfrog' Burke | unaired TV movie | |
| 2006 | Juiced with O. J. Simpson | Himself | TV pay-per-view |
See also[link]
References[link]
- ^ [1]
- ^ a b c d "O.J. Simpson ordered to stop spending." CNN. May 3, 2007.
- ^ a b The Goldman Family (2007). If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer. Beaufort Books. ISBN 978-0-8253-0588-7. Archived from the original on May 11, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080511155407/http://www.beaufortbooks.com/books.php?id=53. Retrieved July 1, 2010.
- ^ a b "O.J. Simpson's Las Vegas Police Arrest Report". FindLaw. September 16, 2007. http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/oj/nvoj91607arrstrpt.html. Retrieved September 18, 2007.
- ^ a b "Simpson guilty of robbery, kidnap charges". MSNBC. October 3, 2008. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27010657/. Retrieved October 3, 2008.
- ^ 'O.J. Simpson guilty in armed robbery, kidnapping trial." CNN. October 4, 2008.
- ^ a b Friess, Steve (December 5, 2008). "Simpson Sentenced to at Least 9 Years in Prison". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/06/us/06simpson.html. Retrieved December 5, 2008.
- ^ O.J. transferred to Lovelock, Las Vegas Sun, December 19, 2008
- ^ "O. J. Simpson Biography (1947–)." Film Reference.com.
- ^ "Ancestry of O.J. Simpson.", wargs.com.
- ^ Schwartz, Larry. "Before trial, Simpson charmed America.". ESPN.com. 2000.
- ^ "A timeline of O.J. Simpson's life." CNN.
- ^ Peters, Nick. (1988) "College Football's Twenty-Five Greatest Teams." The Sporting News. Number 9 Southern California Trojans 1967. ISBN 0-89204-281-8.
- ^ University of Southern California Football Media Guide." PDF. Page 125 of the 2006 Edition. USC's ALL-AMERICANS. (Consensus All-American in 1967, Unanimous All-American in 1968).
- ^ "Athletics: World Record progression: Men: 4 × 100 m Relay" (PDF). International Olympic Committee. January 18, 2002. Archived from the original on June 9, 2003. http://web.archive.org/web/20030609203647/multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_report_78.pdf. Retrieved September 11, 2007.
- ^ Jenkins, Dan. "Defense And Rex Make A King." Sports Illustrated. January 13, 1969.
- ^ "O.J. Simpson: Career Capsule". Pro Football Hall of Fame. http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PlayerId=195&tab=Capsule. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
- ^ Lowry, Brian (May 8, 2000). "The Saga of O.J.'s Last, Lost Pilot". Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/print/2000/may/08/entertainment/ca-27673. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
- ^ "History of ABC's Monday Night Football". ESPN. January 15, 2003. http://espn.go.com/abcsports/mnf/s/2003/0115/1493105.html. Retrieved March 15, 2008.
- ^ "Ruth Gordon/Chuck Berry". Saturday Night Live. episode 12. season 2. 1977-01-22. NBC. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturday_Night_Live_(season_2).
- ^ "OJ Simpson/Ashford & Simpson". Saturday Night Live. episode 12. season 3. 1978-02-25. NBC. http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/episodes/Show_84.shtml.
- ^ Associated Press (June 19, 2010). "Simpson's Youngest Daughter Dies After 8 Days In Coma". St. Petersburg Times. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=alYnAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bnwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6787,3455914&dq=aaren+simpson&hl=en. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
- ^ Larry Schwartz. "L.A. Story". ESPN. http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00016477.html. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
- ^ Decker, Cathleen. "Los Angeles Times Poll." Los Angeles Times. October 8, 1995.
- ^ "SI.com – No easy answers – Sep 18, 2007". CNN. September 18, 2007. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/michael_mccann/09/18/hearings/.
- ^ "Judge Rules Simpson's Mother Can Keep Piano". September 30, 1997. Archived from the original on February 13, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080213051600/http://www.courttv.com/casefiles/simpson/ojsimpson.html.
- ^ "Judge Keeps O.J. From Book, TV Proceeds." Newsmax. March 14, 2007.
- ^ Gilbert, Mike (2008). How I Helped O.J. Get Away with Murder: The Shocking Inside Story of Violence, Loyalty, Regret and Remorse. Regnery Publishing. pp. 320. ISBN 1-59698-551-8. http://books.google.com/books?id=7CDHbDDb0TUC&printsec=frontcover&dq=How+I+Helped+O.J.+Get+Away+with+Murder&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
- ^ a b AP (May 10, 2008). "Former manager says O.J. Simpson confessed". CNN. Archived from the original on July 11, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080711224053/http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/books/05/10/oj.simpson.ap/index.html. Retrieved October 4, 2008.
- ^ "O.J. Simpson among those on California tax shame list". Reuters. October 17, 2007. http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN1733575520071018. Retrieved October 4, 2008.
- ^ "O.J. Simpson Makes California Tax Delinquent List". WebCPA. October 19, 2007. http://www.webcpa.com/article.cfm?articleid=25735&pg=newsarticles.
- ^ Wilson, Catherine (October 25, 2001). "Jury clears O.J. Simpson of road-rage charges". The Independent. Associated Press (London). http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/jury-clears-oj-simpson-of-roadrage-charges-632646.html. Retrieved November 25, 2009.
- ^ "O.J. Simpson's Home Searched By FBI". CBS News. December 4, 2001. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2000/06/06/national/main202915.shtml.
- ^ "O.j. Fights Boating Citation". September 26, 2002. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/keyword/manatee-zone.
- ^ "O.J. Simpson loses DirecTV piracy case: Ordered to pay $25,000 for using illegal devices to get satellite TV signals". Associated Press. MSNBC. July 26, 2005. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8719276/. Retrieved October 4, 2008.
- ^ "Las Vegas P.D. summary and excerpts of 9/14/07 interview with Simpson". FindLaw. September 16, 2007. http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/oj/nvoj91607arrstrpt5.html. Retrieved September 18, 2007.
- ^ "Las Vegas P.D. summary and excerpts of 9/15/07 interview with Alexander". FindLaw. September 16, 2007. http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/oj/nvoj91607arrstrpt.html. Retrieved September 18, 2007.
- ^ "Police: Simpson cooperating in armed robbery probe". CNN. September 14, 2007. http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/09/14/simpson/index.html. [dead link]
- ^ "O.J. Simpson a Suspect in Casino 'Armed Robbery'". FOXNews. September 14, 2007. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,296758,00.html.
- ^ Nakashima, Ryan (September 17, 2007). "Apparent tape released of O.J. in Vegas". Associated Press. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-09-16-3123706429_x.htm.
- ^ "State of Nevada v. O.J. Simpson, et al.". FindLaw. September 18, 2007. http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/oj/ojnv91807cmp.html. Retrieved September 18, 2007.
- ^ "OJ Simpson faces break-in charges". BBC. September 17, 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6997950.stm.
- ^ "Judge sets $125K bail for O.J. Simpson". ABC News. September 19, 2007. http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=3623936. Retrieved September 19, 2007.
- ^ "Simpson's Bail Set at $125,000". TIME Magazine. September 19, 2007. http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1663383,00.html?xid=feed-cnn-topics. Retrieved September 19, 2007.
- ^ "Three plead guilty." CNN. October 15, 2007.
- ^ a b "400 jurors could be screened for OJ Simpson trial." Newsmax. May 22, 2008.
- ^ "O.J. Simpson." Hollywood Grind.
- ^ "Day After Judge's Scolding, O.J. Flies Home: Simpson Released From Nevada Prison After Posting Bail". CBS5.com KPIX TV San Francisco. January 17, 2007. Archived from the original on May 15, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080515131147/http://cbs5.com/national/Simpson.posts.bail.2.631865.html. Retrieved April 18, 2008.
- ^ a b c nytimes.com, "Nevada: Simpson Appeals." New York Times. October 11, 2008.
- ^ "O.J. Simpson's lawyers request another trial." CNN. October 10, 2008.
- ^ Ritter, Ken. "OJ Simpson seeks new robbery trial in Las Vegas." Associated Press. October 10, 2008.
- ^ "O.J. Simpson Held on Bail Violation." Associated Press. January 11, 2008.
- ^ O.J. Simpson sentenced to long prison term MSNBC (Retrieved on December 5, 2008)
- ^ Martinez, Michael (October 22, 2010). "O.J. Simpson loses appeal in Las Vegas armed robbery trial". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/10/22/nevada.oj.simpson.court/. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
- ^ Offender detail: O.J Simpson. Nevada Department of Corrections. Retrieved on January 6, 2010. (broken link)
External links[link]
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: O. J. Simpson |
- Member Pro Football Hall of Fame: profile
- O. J. Simpson at the College Football Hall of Fame
- O. J. Simpson at the Heisman Trophy
- O. J. Simpson at Pro-Football-Reference.com
- O. J. Simpson at the Internet Movie Database
- O.J. Simpson Profile at USC Legends
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Steve Carlton |
Hickok Belt Winner 1973 |
Succeeded by Muhammad Ali |
| Records | ||
| Preceded by Willie Ellison |
NFL single-game rushing record September 16, 1973 – November 20, 1977 |
Succeeded by Walter Payton |
| Preceded by Jim Brown |
NFL single-season rushing record 1973–1984 |
Succeeded by Eric Dickerson |
|
||||||||
|
|||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by Chevy Chase |
Saturday Night Live Host February 25, 1978 |
Succeeded by Art Garfunkel |
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Simpson, O. J. |
| Alternative names | |
| Short description | |
| Date of birth | 1947-7-9 San Francisco |
| Place of birth | San Francisco, U.S. |
| Date of death | |
| Place of death | |
http://wn.com/O._J._Simpson
Related pages:
http://it.wn.com/Orenthal James Simpson
http://id.wn.com/O. J. Simpson
http://es.wn.com/O.J. Simpson
http://ru.wn.com/Симпсон, О. Джей
http://nl.wn.com/O.J. Simpson
http://pt.wn.com/O. J. Simpson
http://pl.wn.com/O.J. Simpson
http://fr.wn.com/O. J. Simpson
http://de.wn.com/O. J. Simpson
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O._J._Simpson
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
| Kanye West | |
|---|---|
.jpg) West at the SWU Music & Arts Festival, 2011 |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Kanye Omari West |
| Born | (1977-06-08) June 8, 1977 (age 35) Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupations | rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, music video director, film director, fashion designer |
| Instruments | Vocals, keyboards, sampler, percussion, synthesizer |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Labels | GOOD Music, Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam |
| Associated acts | Go Getters, Child Rebel Soldier, Jay-Z, The Throne, Common, John Legend, Kid Cudi, Rihanna, Jeff Bhasker, Pusha T, Mos Def, Mr Hudson, Talib Kweli, Big Sean, A-Trak, Pharrell, Lupe Fiasco, RZA |
| Website | kanyewest.com |
Kanye Omari West ( /ˈkɑːnjeɪ/; born June 8, 1977)[1] is an American musician, film director and fashion designer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and Janet Jackson. His style of production originally used pitched-up vocal samples from soul songs incorporated with his own drums and instruments. However, subsequent productions saw him broadening his musical palette and expressing influences encompassing '70s R&B, baroque pop, trip hop, arena rock, folk, alternative, electronica, synthpop, and classical music.[2]
West released his debut album The College Dropout in 2004, his second album Late Registration in 2005, his third album Graduation in 2007, his fourth album 808s & Heartbreak in 2008, and his fifth album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy in 2010. West released a collaborative album, Watch the Throne with Jay-Z in 2011, which is the duo's first collaborative album. His five solo albums, all of which have gone platinum, have received numerous awards and critical acclaim.[3] As of 2012, West has won a total of eighteen Grammy Awards, making him one of the most awarded artists of all-time.[4] All albums have been very commercially successful, with My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy becoming his fourth consecutive No. 1 album in the U.S. upon release.[5] West has had 5 songs exceed 3 million in digital sales as of July 2011, with "Gold Digger" selling 3,086,000, "Stronger" selling 4,402,000, "Heartless" selling 3,742,000, "E.T." selling over 4,000,000 and "Love Lockdown" selling over 3,000,000[6][7] placing him third in overall digital sales of the past decade.[8][9] He has sold over 30 million digital songs in the United States making him one of the best-selling digital artists of all-time.[10]
West also runs his own record label GOOD Music, home to artists such as John Legend, Common and Kid Cudi.[11] West's mascot and trademark is "Dropout Bear," a teddy bear which has appeared on the covers of three of his five solo albums as well as various single covers and in his music videos.[12] About.com ranked Kanye West No. 8 on their "Top 50 Hip-Hop Producers" list.[13] On May 16, 2008, Kanye West was crowned by MTV as the year's No. 1 "Hottest MC in the Game."[14] On December 17, 2010, Kanye West was voted as the MTV Man of the Year by MTV.[15] Billboard ranked Kanye West No. 3 on their list of Top 10 Producers of the Decade.[16] West has also been included in the Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world as well as being listed in a number of Forbes' annual lists.[17]
Kanye will release the full-length album entitled Cruel Summer with GOOD Music signed artists sometime in 2012.
Contents |
Early life[link]
Kanye West was born in Atlanta, Georgia,[18] where he lived with his parents. When he was three years old, his parents divorced, and he and his mother moved to Chicago, Illinois.[19] His father was Ray West, a former Black Panther who was one of the first black photojournalists at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and is now a Christian counselor.[19] West's mother, Dr. Donda West, was a Professor of English at Clark Atlanta University, and the Chair of the English Department at Chicago State University before retiring to serve as West's manager. He was raised in a middle-class background, attending Polaris High School[20] in suburban Oak Lawn, Illinois after living in Chicago.[21] When asked about his grades in high school, West replied, "I got A's and B's. And I'm not even frontin'".[22]
West attended art classes at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, and also enrolled at Chicago State University, but dropped out to focus on his music career.[23] While attending school, West produced for local artists. He later gained fame by producing hit singles for major hip hop/R&B artists, including Jay-Z, Talib Kweli, Cam'ron, Paul Wall, Common, Mobb Deep, Jermaine Dupri, Scarface, The Game, Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson, John Legend among others. He also "ghost-produced" for his mentor Deric Angelettie, according to his song "Last Call" and the credits of Nas' "Poppa Was a Playa".[23]
Music career[link]
1996–2003: Career beginnings[link]
Kanye West's first career productions came on Chicago rapper Grav's 1996 debut album Down to Earth. West produced eight tracks on the album. While the album did not attract much attention and would be the only album released by Grav, West would soon be producing for higher profile artists. In 1998–1999 he produced for well-known artists such as Jermaine Dupri, Foxy Brown, Goodie Mob, and the group Harlem World.
West got his big break in the year 2000, when he began to produce for artists on Roc-a-Fella Records. He produced the well-received Jay-Z song "This Can't Be Life" off of the album The Dynasty: Roc La Familia. West would later state that to create the beat for "This Can't Be Life", he sped up the drum beat from Dr. Dre's song "Xxplosive".[24]
After producing for Jay-Z earlier, West’s sound was featured heavily on Jay-Z's critically acclaimed album The Blueprint, released September 11, 2001.[25] His work was featured on the lead single "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)", "Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)" and a diss track against Nas and Mobb Deep named "Takeover"; West has worked with Mobb Deep and Nas since the track's release.[25]
After meeting great commercial success and critical acclaim for his productions on The Blueprint, West became a sought after producer in the hip-hop industry, even before he became known as a rapper and solo artist. In the years 2002–2003 he would produce for artists such as Nas, Scarface, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, T.I., Ludacris, DMX, and Monica. He also continued producing for Roc-a-Fella Records artists and contribued four tracks to Jay-Z's follow up album to The Blueprint, The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse.
After great successes as a producer, West now looked to pursue a career as a rapper and solo artist, but struggled to get a record deal. Chris Anokute, then A&R at Def Jam, said that when West regularly dropped by the office to pick up his producer checks he would play demos of solo material to Anokute in his cubicle and bemoan the fact that no one was taking him seriously as a rapper.[26] Jay-Z admitted that Roc-A-Fella was initially reluctant to support West as a rapper, claiming that he saw him as a producer first and foremost.[27] Multiple record companies felt he was not as marketable as rappers who portray the "street image" prominent in hip hop culture.[24] Beginning his career as a rapper, Kanye West recorded the third verse on the song "The Bounce" off of Jay-Z's The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse, an album he produced for, from the same label he was signed to as a rapper.
[edit] 2004–05: The College Dropout and Late Registration
On October 23, 2002, West was involved in a near fatal car crash while driving home from the recording studio.[28] The crash provided inspiration for West's first single, "Through the Wire".[29] West's faith is apparent in many of his songs, such as "Jesus Walks", which became a staple at his benefit performances, such as the Live 8 concert. These songs were featured on West's debut album, The College Dropout, which was released on Roc-A-Fella Records in February 2004, and went on to receive critical acclaim. The album also defined the style for which West would become known, including wordplay and sampling.[29] The album was eventually certified triple platinum. Guest appearances included Jay-Z, Ludacris, GLC, Consequence, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Common, and Syleena Johnson. The album also featured the singles, "All Falls Down" and "The New Workout Plan", as well as Twista's number one single, "Slow Jamz".[30] During 2003 West also co-produced songs for British singer Javine Hylton, even appearing in the music video to Real Things playing the love interest of Javine.
West was involved in a financial dispute over Royce Da 5'9"'s song "Heartbeat", produced by West and released on Build & Destroy: The Lost Sessions. West maintains that Royce never paid for the beat, but recorded to it and released it; hearing him on the beat, the original customers decided not to buy it from West. After the disagreement, West vowed to never work with Royce again.[31] Other Kanye West-produced hit singles during the period The College Dropout was released included "I Changed My Mind" by Keyshia Cole, "Overnight Celebrity" by Twista and "Talk About Our Love" by Brandy.[29]
Taking a more eclectic route, West collaborated with American film score composer Jon Brion to construct his second album, Late Registration, which was released on August 30, 2005.[32] Like its predecessor, the sophomore effort garnered universal acclaim from music critics.[33] Late Registration topped countless critic polls and was revered as the best album of the year by numerous publications, including USA Today, Spin, and Time.[34][35] Rolling Stone awarded the album the highest position on their end of the year record list and hailed it as a "sweepingly generous, absurdly virtuosic hip-hop classic."[36] The record earned the number one spot on the Village Voice's Pazz & Jop critics' poll of 2005 for the second consecutive year.[37] Late Registration was also a commercial success, selling over 860,000 copies in its first week alone and topping the Billboard 200.[38] Grossing over 2.3 million units sold in the United States alone by year's end, Late Registration was considered by industry observers as the sole majorly successful album release of the fall of 2005, a season that was plagued by steadily declining CD sales.[39] The second album earned eight Grammy Award nominations including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for the song "Gold Digger".[40] The album is certified triple platinum.[41]
On August 22, 2005, the MTV special All Eyes On Kanye West aired, in which West spoke out against homophobia in hip-hop. He claimed that hip-hop has always been about "speaking your mind and about breaking down barriers, but everyone in hip-hop discriminates against gay people."[42] He then reflected on a personal experience. He said that he had a "turning point" when he realized one of his cousins was gay. He said regarding this experience: "This is my cousin. I love him and I've been discriminating against gays." He drew comparison between African Americans' struggle for civil rights and today's gay rights movement. The following year, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, West further expounded his experiences with and views on the relationship between the black and gay communities.[43]
In September 2005, West announced that he would release his Pastelle Clothing line in spring 2006:[44] "Now that I have a Grammy under my belt and Late Registration is finished, I am ready to launch my clothing line next spring." In that year, West produced the hit singles "Go" by Common and "Dreams" by The Game.[45]
[edit] 2007–09: Graduation and 808s & Heartbreak
In 2007, it was announced that West would be starring in a series directed by Larry Charles. He has been working on the pilot episode for the past two years with Larry Charles and Rick Rubin. He also had this to say on January 14: "I wouldn't do something as cliché as a reality show. At least give me the credit for being more creative than that. It's a situational half-hour comedy. It's fictional, and loosely based on my life.[46] " West also collaborated with Japanese hip-hop group Teriyaki Boyz to produce the single "I Still Love H.E.R.", a reference to Common's 1994 single "I Used to Love H.E.R.". Further to this, during a radio appearance in early 2007, West, like many of his peers, recorded an impromptu freestyle to the popular song "Throw Some D's." The song that to all other rappers was about automobile rims, was used by West to comically refer to D-cup breasts. Because of the unexpected success of the song, West went on to make a video for the freestyle, in which he is seen playing his 'Old Ass Cousin'.[47]
West was also featured in a new song called "Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been)". It was believed to be a single for, Graduation, because he is featured on the track, but Nike quickly explained that it was for the Nike Air Force 1's anniversary. It was meant only to be an exclusive track for the company.[48]
On March 25, 2007, he and his father Ray West supported World Water Day by having a "Walk for Water" rally.[49] After a two-year break, West has returned to being a fashion columnist in lifestyle magazine Complex.[50] On July 7, 2007, West performed with The Police and John Mayer at the American leg of Live Earth.[51] West hosted the August 17 edition of British comedy- variety show The Friday Night Project.[52]
In July 2007, West changed the release date of Graduation, his third album, from September 18, 2007, to the same release date as 50 Cent's album Curtis, September 11, 2007.[53] 50 Cent later claimed that if Graduation were to sell more records than Curtis, he would stop releasing solo albums. However, 50 Cent would later dispel his comments.[54] The album has been certified double platinum. Guest appearances included T-Pain, Mos Def, and Lil Wayne.[55]
| “ | When I heard that thing about the debate, I thought that was the stupidest thing. When my albums drops and 50's album drops, you're gonna get a lot of good music at the same time.[56] | ” |
On August 26, 2007, West appeared as himself on the HBO television show Entourage which he used as a platform to premier his new single "Good Life" during the end credits. On September 9, 2007, West performed at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, losing in every category he was nominated for; he gave an angry speech immediately afterward. (see "Controversies" section)
Following the MTV stint, West was nominated in eight Grammy Award categories for the 50th annual Grammy Awards.[57] He won four of them,[58] including Best Rap Album for Graduation and Best Rap Solo Performance for "Stronger" from Graduation. During the four-hour televised Grammy Awards ceremony, West also performed two songs: "Stronger" (with Daft Punk) and "Hey Mama" (in honor of his recently deceased mother).[59]
File:Kanye West Chicago Tour 2008.jpg
West performing at the United Center in Chicago
West kicked off the Glow in the Dark Tour in Seattle at the Key Arena on April 16. The tour was originally scheduled to end in June in Cincinnati but was extended into August. Over the course of the tour West was joined by a varying group of opening acts, including Lupe Fiasco, Rihanna, N.E.R.D., DJ Craze, and Gnarls Barkley. On June 15, West was scheduled to perform a late night set at the Bonnaroo Music Festival. His performance started almost two hours late and ran for half of its alloted time, angering many fans in the audience. West later wrote an outraged entry on his blog, blaming the festival organizers as well as Pearl Jam's preceding set, which ran longer than expected.
On September 7, West debuted a new song "Love Lockdown" at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards. "Love Lockdown" features no rapping and only singing using an auto-tune device. This song appears on West's fourth studio album, 808s & Heartbreak. The new album was expected to be released on December 16, but West announced on his blog on September 24, 2008, that he had finished the album and would be releasing it sometime in November, earlier than previously scheduled. In early October, West made a surprise appearance at a T.I. concert in Los Angeles, where he stated that 808s & Heartbreak was scheduled to be released on November 25, though it was actually released on the 24th, and that the second single is "Heartless". The album was another number one album for West, even though the first week numbers fell well short of Graduation with 450,145 sold.[60]
West performed at the American Music Awards ceremony on November 23.[61] That same night he won two AMA awards, including Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album for Graduation and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Male Artist. West performed at the Democratic National Convention in Denver in August 2008, along with Wyclef Jean and N.E.R.D. in support of Barack Obama. On January 20, 2009, Kanye West performed at the Youth Inaugural Ball hosted by MTV for Obama's inauguration.
On February 17, 2009, West was named one of Top 10 Most Stylish Men in America by GQ.[62] The next day, February 18, 2009, West won International Male Solo Artist at The Brit Awards 2009. West was not in attendance but accepted his award with a video speech, saying "Barack is the 'Best Interracial Male' but I'm proud to be the Best International Male in the world.[63]
In April 2009, Kanye West recorded a song called "Hurricane" with 30 Seconds to Mars to appear on their album This Is War, but was not released due to legal issues with both record companies. The song was eventually released on the deluxe version of This Is War, titled "Hurricane 2.0".[64][65][66]
[edit] 2010–present: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Watch the Throne
In May 2010, West made an animated television guest appearance on Fox's animated television series The Cleveland Show (a spin-off of Family Guy) as the voice behind "Kenny West", a rival of Cleveland Brown's son.[67] In his first episode he performed in a rap battle with Cleveland's son. The producers stated working with West was a very good experience and a reason they chose him was because they knew he was a fan of Family Guy.[68] Kenny West re-appeared in the season 2 premiere of The Cleveland Show.
West spent the first half of 2010 in Honolulu, Hawaii, working on his new album with the working title "Good Ass Job", later named My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, released on November 22, 2010.[69] West has cited Maya Angelou, Gil Scott-Heron and Nina Simone as his musical inspirations for this album. Outside production is said to come from RZA, Q-Tip, Pete Rock, and DJ Premier.[70][71] West also had Justin Vernon flown into his studio on Oahu after seemingly expressing interest in sampling one of Bon Iver's songs; Vernon proceeded to feature on a number of new tracks, including "Lost In The World," which features Vernon's vocal line from Woods.[72]
On May 28, the Dwele-assisted first single from the album, entitled "Power", leaked to the Internet. On June 30, the track was officially released via iTunes. The upcoming music video was quoted as being "apocalyptic, in a very personal way" by the director Marco Brambilla.[73]
On September 12, 2010, West performed a new song, "Runaway" featuring Pusha T, at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards.[74] Shortly after the performance, Kanye revealed he was working on a 35 minute short film based around the song. The movie is said to be influenced by film noir and concerns a fallen phoenix whom Kanye falls in love with.[75] On October 15, 2010, Kanye West was ranked 3rd in BET's "Top Ten Rappers of the 21st Century" list.[76]
Watch the Throne, a collaborative studio album by West and Jay-Z,[77] was released by Def Jam Recordings on August 8, 2011.[78] It has been under production since August 2010 as part of West's GOOD Friday initiative of releasing new songs every Friday between August 20 and Christmas 2010.[79] West said through a recent interview with MTV that the album is "going to be very dark and sexy, like couture hip hop."[79][80][81] He appeared at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, performing the track "Lost in the World" from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.[82] On January 6, 2011, Kanye announced via Twitter that the first official single from Watch the Throne would be a song called "H•A•M" produced by Lex Luger. The song was released on January 11, 2011.[83]
On April 17, 2011, West closed the Coachella Festival with a headlining set that received glowing praise from fans and critics alike.[84][85] On July 20, a track titled "Otis" from the album was released in the iTunes Store. It samples "Try a Little Tenderness" by Otis Redding.[86] On October 19, 2011, via his Twitter, West announced plans for a Spring 2012 GOOD Music album release.[87] On April 6, 2012, "Mercy", the lead single from the GOOD Music compilation album, Cruel Summer, was released.[88] The song, produced by newly signed in-house producer Lifted, features West along with Big Sean, Pusha T and southern rapper 2 Chainz.[89]
Other ventures[link]
Business ventures[link]
In August 2008, West revealed plans to open 10 Fatburger restaurants in the Chicago area; the first was set to open in September 2008 in Orland Park. The second followed in January 2009, while a third location is yet to be revealed, although the process is being finalized. His company, KW Foods LLC, bought the rights to the chain in Chicago.[90] Additionally, West planned to launch his fashion career, and applied for internships with major European fashion houses.[91] He was due to release his own clothing line called Past Tell in 2009. He also collaborated with Nike to release his own shoe, Air Yeezys.
On January 22, 2009, during Paris Fashion Week, West introduced his first shoe line designed for Louis Vuitton. The line was released in summer 2009.
On October 1, 2011, Kanye West premiered his women's fashion label, DW Kanye West[92] at Paris Fashion Week. He received support from DSquared2 duo Dean and Dan Caten, Olivier Theyskens, Jeremy Scott, Azzedine Alaïa, and the Olsen twins, who were also in attendance during his show. His debut fashion show received mixed-to-negative reviews,[93][94] ranging from reserved observations by Style.com[95] to excoriating commentary by The Wall Street Journal,[96] the New York Times,[97] the International Herald Tribune, Elleuk.com, The Daily Telegraph, Harper's Bazaar and many others.[98][99][100]
Philanthropy[link]
West started the "Kanye West Foundation" in Chicago in 2003. On August 24, 2007, West hosted the inaugural benefit concert to launch the foundation's partnership with Strong American Schools. It is focused on helping Latino and African American children stay in school and continue education through grade school, high school, and college. The foundation also helps children pursue music in school. West has contributed over $500,000 to his foundation. The foundation has also been called the "Donda West Foundation".
Kanye West has appeared and participated in many fundraisers, benefit concerts, and has done community work for Hurricane Katrina relief, the Kanye West Foundation, the Millions More Movement, 100 Black Men of America, a Live Earth concert benefit, World Water Day rally and march, Nike runs, and a MTV special helping young Iraq War veterans who struggle through debt and PTSD a second chance after returning home.[101]
Musical style and influences[link]
At the start of his career, Kanye West's production style often used pitched-up vocal samples, usually from soul songs, with his own drums and instruments.[25] His first major release featuring his trademark vocal sampling style was "This Can't Be Life", a track from Jay-Z’s The Dynasty: Roc La Familia. West said he sped up the drum beat of Dr. Dre's "Xxplosive" to use as a replacement for his drums on "This Can't Be Life".[24]
West has said that Wu-Tang Clan producer RZA influenced him in his style,[21][102] and has said on numerous occasions that Wu-Tang rappers Ghostface Killah and Ol' Dirty Bastard were some of his all-time favorites, "Wu-Tang? Me and my friends talk about this all the time... We think Wu-Tang had one of the biggest impacts as far as a movement. From slang to style of dress, skits, the samples. Similar to the [production] style I use, RZA has been doing that."[103] RZA himself has spoken quite positively of the comparisons, stating in an interview for Rolling Stone, "All good. I got super respect for Kanye. He came up to me about a year or two ago. He gave me mad praising and blessings... For people to say Wu-Tang inspire Kanye, Kanye is one of the biggest artists in the world. That goes back to what we say: 'Wu-Tang is forever.' Kanye is going to inspire people to be like him."[104] After hearing his work on The Blueprint, RZA claimed that a torch-passing had occurred between him and West, saying, "The shoes gotta be filled. If you ain't gonna do it, somebody else is gonna do it. That's how I feel about rap today."[104]
While his use of sampling has lessened over time, West's production continues to feature distinctive and intricate string arrangements. This characteristic arose from him listening to the English trip hop group Portishead, whose 1998 live album Roseland NYC Live, with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra inspired him to incorporate string sections into his hip hop production.[2] Though he was unable to afford live instruments beyond violin riffs provided by Israeli violinist Miri Ben-Ari around the time of his debut album, its subsequent commercial success allowed him to hire his very own eleven-piece string orchestra. For a time, West stood as the sole current pop star to tour with a string section.[2]
West has stated on several occasions that outside of work, he favors listening to rock music over hip-hop. He cites Franz Ferdinand, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and The Killers as some of his favorite musical groups. Additionally, on Graduation, West drew inspiration from arena rock bands such as U2, The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin for melody and chord progression.[105] Both a fan and supporter of indie culture, West uses his official website to promote obscure indie rock bands, posting up music videos and mp3s on a daily basis.[106] This musical affinity is mutual, as West has collaborated with indie artists such as Santigold, Peter Bjorn and John, and Lykke Li while his songs have gone on to be covered countless times by myriad rock bands.[107]
Personal life[link]
Relationships[link]
Kanye West and designer Alexis Phifer ended their 18-month engagement in 2008. The couple had been dating on and off since 2002, with West eventually proposing in August 2006. According to a friend, the couple's relationship had become increasingly strained, burdened by the sheer amount of time and attention West was dedicating to his current concert tour. "It's always sad when things like this end, and we remain friends," Phifer told People.[108]
West was also in a high profile on/off relationship with Amber Rose from 2008 until the summer of 2010. He is now reportedly dating reality star Kim Kardashian.[109]
Mother's death[link]
On November 10, 2007, West's mother, Donda West, died of complications from cosmetic surgery involving abdominoplasty and breast reduction.[110] TMZ reported that Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Andre Aboolian refused to do the surgery because Donda West had a health condition that placed her at risk for a heart attack.[110] Aboolian referred her to an internist to investigate her cardiac issue.[110] Donda never met with the doctor recommended by Aboolian and had the procedures performed by a third doctor, Jan Adams.[110] She was 58 years old (1949–2007).
Adams sent condolences to Donda West's family but declined to publicly discuss the procedure because of confidentiality.[111] He had previously been under scrutiny by the medical board.[112][113][114] Adams appeared on Larry King Live on November 20, 2007 but left before speaking. Two days later, he appeared again, with his attorney, stating he was there to "defend himself." He said that the recently released autopsy results "spoke for themselves".[115] The final coroner's report January 10, 2008 concluded that Donda West died of "coronary artery disease and multiple post-operative factors due to or as a consequence of liposuction and mammoplasty."[116]
The funeral and burial for Donda West was held in Oklahoma City on November 20, 2007.[117] West held his first concert following the funeral at The O2 in London on November 22. He dedicated a performance of "Hey Mama", as well as a cover of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'", to his mother, and did so on all other dates of his Glow in the Dark tour.[118]
At a December 2008 press conference in New Zealand, West spoke about his mother's death for the first time. "It was like losing an arm and a leg and trying to walk through that," he told reporters.[119]
California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger passed the "Donda West Law," a legislation which makes it mandatory for patients to provide medical clearance for elective cosmetic surgery.[120]
Legal issues[link]
In December 2006, Robert "Evel" Knievel sued West for trademark infringement in West's video for "Touch the Sky." Knievel took issue with a "sexually charged video" in which West takes on the persona of "Evel Kanyevel" and attempts flying a rocket over a canyon. The suit filed in federal court claims infringement on his trademarked name and likeness. Knievel also claims the "vulgar and offensive" images depicted in the video damage his reputation. The suit seeks damages and to stop distribution of the video.[121] West's attorneys argued that the music video amounted to satire and therefore was covered under the First Amendment. Just days before his death in November 2007, Knievel amicably settled the suit after being paid a visit from West, saying, "I thought he was a wonderful guy and quite a gentleman."[122]
On September 11, 2008, West and his road manager/bodyguard Don "Don C." Crowley were arrested at Los Angeles International Airport and booked on charges of felony vandalism after an altercation with the paparazzi in which West and Crowley broke the photographers' cameras.[123][124] West was later released from the Los Angeles Police Department's Pacific Division station in Culver City on $20,000 bail bond. On September 26, 2008 the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said it would not file felony counts against West over the incident. Instead the case file was forwarded to the city attorney's office, which charged West with one count of misdemeanor vandalism, one count of grand theft and one count of battery and his manager with three counts of each on March 18, 2009.[125] West's and Crowley's arraignment was delayed from an original date of April 14, 2009.[126]
West was arrested again on November 14, 2008 at the Hilton hotel near Gateshead after another scuffle involving a photographer outside the famous Tup Tup Palace nightclub in Newcastle Upon Tyne. He was later released "with no further action", according to a police spokesperson.[127]
Controversies[link]
General media[link]
West has had several controversies throughout his career. On September 2, 2005, during a benefit concert for Hurricane Katrina relief on NBC, A Concert for Hurricane Relief, West was a featured speaker. When West was presenting alongside actor Mike Myers, he deviated from the prepared script. Myers spoke next and continued to read the script. Once it was West's turn to speak again, he said "George Bush doesn't care about black people." At this point, telethon producer Rick Kaplan cut off the microphone and then cut away to Chris Tucker, who was unaware of the cut for a few seconds. Still, West's comment reached much of the United States.[128][129] Bush stated in an interview that the comment was "one of the most disgusting moments” of his presidency.[130]
In January 2006, West again sparked controversy when he appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone in the image of Jesus wearing a crown of thorns.[131]
In November, 2010, in a taped interview with Matt Lauer for the Today Show, West expressed regret for his criticism of Bush. "I would tell George Bush in my moment of frustration, I didn't have the grounds to call him a racist," he told Lauer. "I believe that in a situation of high emotion like that we as human beings don't always choose the right words." The following day, Bush reacted to the apology in a live interview with Lauer saying he appreciated the rapper's remorse. "I'm not a hater," Bush said. "I don't hate Kanye West. I was talking about an environment in which people were willing to say things that hurt. Nobody wants to be called a racist if in your heart you believe in equality of races."
Reactions were mixed, but some felt that West had no need to apologize. "It was not the particulars of your words that mattered, it was the essence of a feeling of the insensitivity towards our communities that many of us have felt for far too long," noted Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons.[132] Dr. Boyce Watkins said that West was, "now part of the establishment, where waffling on your principles is fully expected. Bush deserved no apology, for you don’t apologize to a criminal after repudiating him for an egregious crime.[133] " Bush himself was receptive to the apology, saying, "I appreciate that. It wasn't just Kanye West who was talking like that during Katrina, I cited him as an example, I cited others as an example as well. You know, I appreciate that."[134]
Award shows[link]
In 2004, West had his first of a number of incidents involving music award events. At the American Music Awards of 2004, West stormed out of the auditorium after losing Best New Artist to country singer Gretchen Wilson. He later commented, "I felt like I was definitely robbed [...] I was the best new artist this year."[135] After the 2006 Grammy nominations were released, West said he would "really have a problem" if he did not win the Album of the Year, saying, "I don't care what I do, I don't care how much I stunt – you can never take away from the amount of work I put into it. I don't want to hear all of that politically correct stuff."[136] On November 2, 2006, when his "Touch the Sky" failed to win Best Video at the MTV Europe Music Awards, West went onto the stage as the award was being presented to Justice and Simian for "We Are Your Friends" and argued that he should have won the award instead.[137][138] Hundreds of news outlets worldwide criticized the outburst. On November 7, 2006, West apologized for this outburst publicly during his performance as support act for U2 for their Vertigo concert in Brisbane.[139] He later spoofed the incident in the season premiere of Saturday Night Live.
On September 9, 2007, West suggested that his race had to do with his being overlooked for opening the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) in favor of Britney Spears; he claimed, "Maybe my skin’s not right."[140] West was performing at the event; that night, he lost all 5 awards that he was nominated for, including Best Male Artist and Video of the Year. After the show, he was visibly upset that he had lost at the VMAs two years in a row, stating that he would not come back to MTV ever again. He also appeared on several radio stations saying that when he made the song "Stronger" that it was his dream to open the VMAs with it. He has also stated that Spears has not had a hit in a long period of time and that MTV exploited her for ratings.[141]
On September 13, 2009, during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards while Taylor Swift was accepting her award for Best Female Video for "You Belong with Me", West went on stage and grabbed the microphone to proclaim that Beyoncé's video for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", nominated for the same award, was "one of the best videos of all time". He was subsequently removed from the remainder of the show for his actions.[142][143][144] When Beyoncé later won the award for Best Video of the Year for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", she called Swift up on stage so that she could finish her acceptance speech.[142] West was criticized by various celebrities for the outburst,[143][145][146][147][148] and by President Barack Obama, who called West a "jackass".[149][150][151][152][153] In addition, West's VMA disruption sparked a large influx of Internet photo memes with blogs, forums and "tweets" with the "Let you finish" photo-jokes.[154] Subsequently, West posted two apologies for the outburst on his personal blog; one on the night of the incident and the other the same day he appeared on The Jay Leno Show, on September 14, 2009, where he apologized again.[146][155] After Swift appeared on The View two days after the outburst, partly to discuss the matter, West called her to apologize personally. Swift said she accepted his apology.[156][157][158] In September 2010, West wrote a series of apologetic tweets addressed to Swift including "Beyonce didn't need that. MTV didn't need that and Taylor and her family friends and fans definitely didn't want or need that" and concluding with "I'm sorry Taylor." West also revealed he had written a song for Swift and if she did not accept the song, he would perform it himself.[159] However, on November 8, 2010, in an interview with a Minnesota radio station, West seemed to recant a bit of his past apologies by attempting to describe the act at the 2009 awards show as "selfless" and downgrade the perception of disrespect it created.[160][161]
Discography[link]
Main articles: Kanye West discography and Kanye West production discography
Solo Albums
- The College Dropout (2004)
- Late Registration (2005)
- Graduation (2007)
- 808s & Heartbreak (2008)
- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)
Collaborations
- Watch the Throne (2011) – with Jay-Z
- Cruel Summer (2012) – with GOOD Music artists[87]
Filmography[link]
- We Were Once a Fairytale (2009)
- Runaway (2010)
- Cruel Summer (2012)
Awards and nominations[link]
Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Kanye West
References[link]
- ^ "Kanye facts!". UK: Channel 4. August 17, 2007. http://www.channel4.com/music/features/K/kanyefacts.html. Retrieved April 26, 2008.
- ^ a b c Scaggs, Austin (September 20, 2007). "Kanye West: A Genius In Praise of Himself". Rolling Stone (Jann S. Wenner) (1035). Archived from the original on 2012-05-17. http://www.webcitation.org/67jHv64uk. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
- ^ "Kanye West". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/search/process?sort=relevance&ts=kanye+west. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "Kanye West Grammys: Rapper Takes Home Multiple Awards, Including Best Rap Album". Huffington Post. February 15, 2012. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/12/kanye-west-grammys-wins-awards_n_1272129.html. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/#/charts/billboard-200?chartDate=2010-12-11
- ^ "Week Ending May 8, 2011. Songs: Rolling In The Dough – Yahoo! Chart Watch". new.music.yahoo.com. May 11, 2011. http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/74363/week-ending-may-8-2011-songs-rolling-in-the-dough/;_ylt=A0SO0pM6ScxNTs4AZBQPwiUv. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
- ^ "Week Ending July 3, 2011. Songs: Sons Of A Legend – Chart Watch". New.music.yahoo.com. July 6, 2011. http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/74385/week-ending-july-3-2011-songs-sons-of-a-legend/;_ylt=AiiLt2CITScuJC_I4Ps6KHAPwiUv. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
- ^ "Top Digital Artists of the Decade". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/charts-decade-end/digital-songs-artists?year=2009. Retrieved May 13, 2011.
- ^ "Week Ending June 19, 2011. Bad Teenage Dreams – Chart Watch". New.music.yahoo.com. June 22, 2011. http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/74378/week-ending-june-22-2011-bad-teenage-dreams/;_ylt=AiiLt2CITScuJC_I4Ps6KHAPwiUv. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
- ^ Ross, Dalton (January 6, 2012). "Rihanna crowned best-selling digital artist | The Music Mix | EW.com". Entertainment Weekly. http://music-mix.ew.com/2012/01/06/rihanna-digital-download-record/. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
- ^ "GOOD Music". GOOD Music. http://www.gettingoutourdreams.com/. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ Daly, Sean (December 26, 2004). "From Beyonce to Bono to Bruce, Busy B's Held Sway in Pop". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A24383-2004Dec24.html. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ Henry Adaso; Ivan Rott, Renato P., Bhaskar S., Henry A.. "Top 50 Hip-Hop Producers". About.com. p. 8. http://rap.about.com/od/toppicks/ss/Top50Producers_8.htm. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
- ^ Reid, Shaheem (May 16, 2008). "'Hottest MCs In The Game': No.1 Kanye West". Mtv. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1587618/20080516/west_kanye.jhtml. Retrieved July 18, 2009.
- ^ Clem Rusty (December, 19, 2010). "Kanye west voted as the man of the year.". http://www.mtv.com/videos/news/607312/man-of-the-year-kanye-west.jhtml#id=1654060.
- ^ "Top Producers of the decade.". May, 21, 2011. http://realtalkny.uproxx.com/2009/12/topic/topic/news/billboards-top-10-producers-of-the-decade/.
- ^ "Forbes Profile: Kanye West". Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/profile/kanye-west. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
- ^ "Kanye West Coming To Redbird.". Pantagraph. March 8, 2006. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-142980674.html. Retrieved April 26, 2008. [dead link]
- ^ a b Christian, Margena A. (May 14, 2007). "Dr. Donda West tells how she shaped son to be a leader in 'Raising Kanye'". Jet. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_19_111/ai_n19206336. Retrieved August 19, 2007.
- ^ Davis, Kimberly (2004). "The Many Faces of Kanye West". Ebony. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_8_59/ai_n6047908. Retrieved July 19, 2007.
- ^ a b "Why You Can't Ignore Kanye". Time. August 21, 2005. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1096499,00.html. Retrieved June 7, 2007.
- ^ Moss, Corey (December 5, 2005). "College Dropout Kanye Tells High School Students Not To Follow In His Footsteps". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1517484/20051205/west_kanye.jhtml. Retrieved July 28, 2006.
- ^ a b "Kanye West Trumpets Education in TV Spot". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 4, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080804232028/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/08/24/entertainment/e135410D82.DTL. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ a b c "Artist: Kanye West Album: The College Dropout Song: Last Call". The Original Hip-Hop Lyrics Archive. http://www.ohhla.com/anonymous/kan_west/college/lastcall.wst.txt. Retrieved June 7, 2007.
- ^ a b c Burrell, Ian (September 22, 2007). "Kanye West: King of rap". The Independent (UK). http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/kanye-west-king-of-rap-403127.html. Retrieved April 26, 2008.
- ^ "Interview With Chris Anokute". HitQuarters. Oct 18, 2010. http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_Chris_Anokute_Interview.html. Retrieved Oct 25, 2010.
- ^ "Kanye west: the man, the music, and the message.(Biography)". The Black Collegian. October 1, 2007. http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-33426663_ITM. Retrieved April 27, 2008. [dead link]
- ^ Anish, Josh (2012). "Who Pays More for Car Insurance: Kim or Kanye?". CoverHound. http://coverhound.com/blog/post/kim-kanye-car-insurance. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ a b c Birchmeier, Jason (2007). "Kanye West — Biography". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p353484. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "Grand Kanye". Calgary Sun. http://www.calgarysun.com/cgi-bin/publish.cgi?p=92360&x=articles&s=showbiz. Retrieved April 24, 2008. [dead link]
- ^ "Kanye West Speaks Through The Wire". HipHopSite. Archived from the original on September 15, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070915010416/http://www.hiphopsite.com/NEWS/interviews.hhs?news_id=FEA3B39B-C571-4ACB-A096-6600549EA18B. Retrieved June 7, 2007.
- ^ Perez, Rodrigo (August 12, 2005). "Kanye's Co-Pilot, Jon Brion, Talks About The Making Of Late Registration". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1507538/20050812/west_kanye.jhtml. Retrieved March 2, 2006.
- ^ "Late Registration". Metacritic. CBS Interactive Inc. September 4, 2005. http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/westkanye/lateregistration. Retrieved September 4, 2005.
- ^ Tyrangiel, Josh (December 16, 2005). "Best of 2005: Music". Time magazine (Time, Inc). http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1142059,00.html. Retrieved March 14, 2006.
- ^ Hermes, Will (December 31, 2005). "The 40 Best Albums of 2005". Spin. Spin Media, LLC. http://www.spin.com/articles/40-best-albums-2005?page=0%2C3. Retrieved April 26, 2008.
- ^ "1. Kanye West". Rolling Stone. RealNetworks, Inc. December 15, 2005. http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/8957147/1_kanye_west. Retrieved September 16, 2007. [dead link]
- ^ Christgau, Robert (January 24, 2006). "New York Pazz and Jop Dean's List". Village Voice. Village Voice Media Holdings, LLC. http://www.villagevoice.com/2006-01-24/pazzandjop/dean-s-list. Retrieved May 22, 2007.
- ^ "Kanye West Blows Up". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/7606082/kanye_west_blows_up. Retrieved April 24, 2008. [dead link]
- ^ Knopper, Steve (November 15, 2005). "Kanye Couldn't Save Fall". Rolling Stone. RealNetworks, Inc. http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/8829100/kanye_couldnt_save_fall. Retrieved November 27, 2005. [dead link]
- ^ Robinson, Eugene (February 10, 2006). "Lessons Taught by Grammy". Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/09/AR2006020901436_pf.html. Retrieved April 26, 2008.
- ^ "RIAA – Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America. Nielsen Business Media Inc. December 12, 2008. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=kanye&format=ALBUM&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25. Retrieved December 12, 2008.
- ^ "Column: More than just a rapper". GW Hatchet. http://media.www.gwhatchet.com/media/storage/paper332/news/2005/09/08/Opinions/Column.More.Than.Just.A.Rapper-978469.shtml. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "Kanye West". Entertainment Weekly. October 2007.
- ^ "Stuff Style Icon of the Year". Stuff (magazine). Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070929131853/http://www.stuffmagazine.com/articles/index.aspx?id=1171. Retrieved June 7, 2007.
- ^ "New CDs: Kanye, Clapton". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/okgo/articles/story/7593141/new_cds_kanye_clapton. Retrieved April 24, 2008. [dead link]
- ^ "Update On Kanye's TV Show". kanYe Talk. Archived from the original on May 1, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080501110306/http://www.kanyelive.com/news/31.html. Retrieved June 7, 2007.
- ^ "Kanye West Loves Rolling Stone. Sort of.". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/05/29/kanye-west-loves-rolling-stone-sort-of/. Retrieved April 24, 2008. [dead link]
- ^ "Nas, KRS-1, Kanye & Rakim Lend Verses In Honor Of Nike Air Force 1". Sound Slam. http://soundslam.com/articles/news/news.php?news=070215_af1ann. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "Kanye and Ray West Walk For Water". kanYe Talk. Archived from the original on May 1, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080501110309/http://www.kanyelive.com/news/74.html. Retrieved June 7, 2007.
- ^ "Kanye West — Fashion Columnist". kanYe Live. http://www.kanyelive.com/kanye-west-fashion-columnist-76.html. Retrieved March 19, 2009. [dead link]
- ^ "Police, Pumpkins, PSAs: Live Earth New York, Onstage and Backstage". Rolling Stone. July 8, 2007. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/police-pumpkins-psas-live-earth-new-york-onstage-and-backstage-20070708. Retrieved April 26, 2008.
- ^ "LISTINGS INFORMATION : WEEK 33". Channel 4. http://press.channel4.com/listings/live/C4/live/2007_33/index.htm. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "Kanye Competes With 50, Album Pushed Back To September 11". Def Sounds. Archived from the original on April 21, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080421163247/http://www.defsounds.com/news/view/2106-kanye-competes-with-5-album-pushed-back-to-september-11th.html. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "50 Cent Explains Last Week's Blowup, Says 'I Will Be No.1 On September 11'". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1567100/20070814/50_cent.jhtml. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "Kanye West Massacres 50 Cent In Sales Race!!!!". Hip Hop DX. http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.5721/title.kanye-west-massacres-50-cent-in-sales-race. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "Kanye West Declines Debate With 50 Cent, Calls It 'Stupid'". Baller Status. Archived from the original on April 9, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080409133340/http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/news/2007/08/2936/. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "Leading Nominees Kanye West and Amy Winehouse Added as Performers for 50th Annual GRAMMY(R) Awards". Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/businesswire/feeds/businesswire/2008/02/08/businesswire20080208005461r1.html. Retrieved April 24, 2008. [dead link]
- ^ "50th Annual Grammy Awards Winners List". Grammy Awards. Archived from the original on April 4, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080404005333/http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/50th_show/list.aspx. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ Leeds, Jeff (February 11, 2008). "Amy Winehouse Wins Big at Grammy Awards". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/11/arts/music/11gram.html?ex=1360472400%20&%20ei=5088%20&%20en=17d2597cd353b41c%20&%20partner=rssnyt%20&%20emc=rss&pagewanted=all. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ HipHopDX.com – Hip Hop Album Sales. HipHopDX.com. Retrieved December 3, 2008.
- ^ Alicia Keys, Kanye West to Rock AMA Stage" TV Guide. October 20, 2008. Retrieved October 24, 2008.
- ^ "The 10 Most Stylish Men in America". New York Daily News. February 17, 2009. http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/fashion/galleries/justin_timberlake_gq_magazine_10_most_stylish_men_in_america/justin_timberlake_gq_magazine_10_most_stylish_men_in_america.html#ph2. Retrieved February 17, 2009. [dead link]
- ^ "Kanye West wins International Male Solo Artist BRIT | News". NME. UK. February 18, 2009. http://www.nme.com/news/brit-awards-2008/42880. Retrieved March 15, 2009.
- ^ James Montgomery (April 15, 2009). "Kanye West Working With 30 Seconds To Mars On New Album". http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1609314/20090415/west_kanye.jhtml. Retrieved April 17, 2009.
- ^ Chris Harris (April 20, 2009). "30STM’s Jared Leto on Working With Kanye West". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/30stms-jared-leto-on-working-with-kanye-west-its-slightly-more-than-unexpected-20090420. Retrieved April 30, 2009.
- ^ "Thirty Seconds To Mars "Hurricane" feat. Kanye West + 2011 tour dates". Band Weblogs. November 24, 2010. http://bandweblogs.com/blog/2010/11/24/thirty-seconds-to-mars-hurricane-feat-kanye-west-2011-tour-dates/. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
- ^ "Kanye West's Flow is comedy gold on "The Cleveland Show"". Fox Flash. http://www.foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z2z2z252z1z8&ID=4803. Retrieved March 20, 2009.
- ^ Jocelyn Vena (March 17, 2009). Kanye West Gets Animated In 'Family Guy' Spinoff MTV.com. Retrieved March 17, 2009.
- ^ Twitter / @Kanye West: L.A. Reid who's doing a great job at Def Jam. We gone Kill it again on November 22!!!!!!!!!! Even with the leaks fam.
- ^ Evan Nabavian (April 6, 2010). Kanye West Taps Q-Tip, RZA, Pete Rock For New Album Billboard.com. Retrieved April 6, 2010.
- ^ "Rumors : Hip-Hop Rumors:Old School Biggie Rumors! Kanye West and Pete Rock? Alfamega Disses T.I.!". Allhiphop.com. http://allhiphop.com/stories/rumors/archive/2010/03/09/22143721.aspx. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
- ^ "Kanye West's new album to feature Beyonce and Bon Iver collaborations?". NME. UK. August 11, 2010. http://www.nme.com/news/kanye-west/52447. Retrieved Aug. 16, 2010.
- ^ "Billboard Bits: Kanye's 'Power' Video Is 'Apocalyptic,' Gaga-Winehouse Collabo Just a Dream". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/news/billboard-bits-kanye-s-power-video-is-apocalyptic-1004106808.story?tag=nextart. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
- ^ Wete, Brad (September 12, 2010). "Kanye West admits he's a douchebag, debuts 'Runaway' to close VMAs". Entertainment Weekly. http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/09/12/kanye-west-performs-runaway-vmas/. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
- ^ "Kanye West Reveals More Details About 'Runaway' Film". MTV. September 17, 2010. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1647861/20100915/west_kanye.jhtml.
- ^ "The grape juice showing BET's list". Thatgrapejuice.net. October 17, 2010. http://thatgrapejuice.net/2010/10/bet-names-top-10-rappers-21st-century/. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
- ^ Dombal, Ryan (October 25, 2010). "Kanye West and Jay-Z Planning Joint Album". Pitchfork Media. http://pitchfork.com/news/40504-kanye-west-and-jay-z-planning-joint-album/. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
- ^ Markman, Rob (July 4, 2011). "Jay-Z And Kanye West's Watch The Throne Ready For Pre-Order". MTV News. http://rapfix.mtv.com/2011/07/04/jay-z-and-kanye-wests-watch-the-throne-ready-for-pre-order/. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ a b August 28, 2010. Kanye West & Jay-Z Said To Release Five-Song EP, "Watch The Throne".
- ^ Kaufman, Gil (August 23, 2010). "Kanye West Promises New Song Every Week Through Christmas – Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1646259/20100823/west_kanye.jhtml. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
- ^ August 27, 2010. Kanye West Drops 'Monster' Single With Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj
- ^ Kanye West Performs Rousing 'Lost In The World' At Thanksgiving Day Parade . MTV News. Retrieved on December 6, 2010.
- ^ 1.11.11 . Twitter. Retrieved on January 7, 2011.
- ^ Kanye Tears Down Coachella Stage, Fans React. MTV News. April 18, 2010. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
- ^ Kanye West Coachella Performance 'One Of The Greatest Ever'. Gigwise. April 19, 2010. Retrieved April 21, 2010
- ^ Meadows-Ingram, Benjamin (July 24, 2011). "'Watch The Throne': Otis Redding's Daughter Talks 'Otis' Track". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/news/watch-the-throne-otis-redding-s-daughter-1005290172.story. Retrieved July 24, 2011.
- ^ a b "Tweet 126770388121292800". Twitter. October 19, 2011. http://twitter.com/#!/kanyewest/status/126770388121292800.
- ^ "Mercy (feat. Big Sean, Pusha T, 2 Chainz) – Single". iTunes. April 6, 2012. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/mercy-feat.-big-sean-pusha/id517049456.
- ^ "G.O.O.D Music – Mercy". DJBooth.net. April 6, 2012. http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/good-music-mercy/. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
- ^ Kanye West To Open Chain Of Fatburger Restaurants In Chicago BallerStatus.com.[dead link]
- ^ Kanye West To Study Fashion! The Hot Hits.com.
- ^ Kanye West – Spring/Summer 2012 ready-to-wear show – The Internet Fashion Database Retrieved and verified on October 2, 2011
- ^ Odell, Amy (August 17, 2011). "What Kanye West Got Right and Wrong With His First Paris Fashion Week Show – The Cut". Nymag.com. http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2011/10/what_kanye_west_got_right_and.html. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
- ^ Daisy Dumas (October 5, 2011). "Kanye West's fashion show fail: Rapper's debut line slated by critics | Mail Online". Daily Mail (London). http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2045356/Kanye-Wests-fashion-fail-Rappers-debut-line-slated-critics.html?ito=feeds-newsxml. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
- ^ post a comment › (October 1, 2011). "Kanye West Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear Collection on Style.com: Runway Review". Style.com. http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2012RTW-KWEST. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
- ^ Binkley, Christina (October 1, 2011). "Kanye West Shows Debut Collection at Paris Fashion Week – Heard on the Runway – WSJ". The Wall Street Journal. http://blogs.wsj.com/runway/2011/10/01/good-thing-kanye-west-has-a-day-job/. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
- ^ Wilson, Eric (October 1, 2011). "Kanye West Show, Shrouded in Silence, Creates a Scene". Runway.blogs.nytimes.com. http://runway.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/kanye-west-show-shrouded-in-silence-creates-a-scene/. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
- ^ "Here's proof that Kanye can't cut it on the catwalk | Music". The Guardian (London). October 3, 2011. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/oct/03/kanye-west-fashion-designer-paris?newsfeed=true. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
- ^ October 5, 2011 12:00 am. "Critics go over the top as Kanye's fashion is a flop". Herald Sun. Australia. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/confidential/critics-go-over-the-top-as-kanyes-fashion-is-a-flop/story-e6frf96x-1226158397731. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
- ^ "Kanye's Paris Fashion Week debut gets mixed reviews – The Marquee Blog – CNN.com Blogs". CNN. http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/03/kanyes-paris-fashion-week-debut-gets-mixed-reviews/. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
- ^ Stelter, Brian (July 28, 2008). "In 'Homecoming' MTV Focuses On Iraq Veterans". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/28/arts/television/28mtv.html?partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
- ^ "Black History — Biographies — Kanye West". Thomson Gale. http://www.gale.com/free_resources/bhm/bio/west_k.htm. Retrieved August 7, 2006.
- ^ "Kanye, Run-DMC, Outkast, Justin Sound Off On Our Top 10 Hip-Hop Groups". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1553911/20070305/west_kanye.jhtml. Retrieved June 7, 2007.
- ^ a b Dukes, Rahman; Reid, Shaheem (January 19, 2009). "The Clipse Hint At Kanye West Collabo: Mixtape Monday". Rolling Stone. RealNetworks, Inc. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1602920/20090116/story.jhtml. Retrieved January 19, 2009.
- ^ Crosley, Hillary (September 15, 2007). "Graduation". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 14, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20071014192400/http://billboard.com/bbcom/content_display/reviews/albums/e3ibe8ec7c980d6765c46225c438690a813. Retrieved September 15, 2007.
- ^ West, Kanye (July 1, 2009). "Dirty Projectors "Stillness is the Move"". Kanye West Blog. Kanye West/Mascotte Holdings, LLC. http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com/blog/?em3106=235958_-1__0_~-1_-1_05_2008_0_0&em3298=&em3282=&em3281=&em3161=. Retrieved July 1, 2009.
- ^ West, Kanye (August 15, 2009). "The Fray – "Heartless"". Kanye West Blog. Kanye West/Mascotte Holdings, LLC. http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com/blog/?em3106=238431_-1__0_~0_-1_8_2009_0_0&em3298=&em3282=&em3281=&em3161=. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
- ^ "Kanye West's Ex-Fiancee Alexis Phifer Talks About Breakup". MTV News. April 21, 2008. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1585980/20080421/west_kanye.jhtml. Retrieved September 18, 2009.
- ^ Garcia, Jennifer (April 5, 2012). "Kim Kardashian, Kanye West Dating". People. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20584651,00.html. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Fire Dept. Called to Donda West's Home". TMZ.com. http://www.tmz.com/2007/11/12/911-responded-in-donda-west-case/. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "Donda West's Doctor Expresses 'Condolences'". People. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20159928,00.html?xid=rss-fullcontentcnn. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "Donda West's surgeon faced malpractice suits, records show". CNN. November 13, 2007. http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/11/13/west.surgeon/index.html#cnnSTCText. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "Focus of Kanye West Mom's Death Shifts to Doctor". People. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20159824,00.html?xid=rss-fullcontentcnn. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "CELEBTV.COM DOCUMENT: WEST DOC’S MEDICAL LICENSE QUESTIONED". Celeb TV. http://www.celebtv.com/Headlines.aspx?NewsGuid=8b002218-ccc7-4d27-9c7d-8009628c79a4. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "Amy Winehouse's Alleged Crack Video Under Investigation; Plus Pink, Paris Hilton, 'American Idol' & More, In For The Record". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1580109/20080123/winehouse_amy.jhtml. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "Donda West, Kanye's Mother, Died Of Heart Attack: Coroner's Report". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1579429/20080110/west_kanye.jhtml. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "Kanye West's tearful goodbye at mother's funeral". The New Zealand Herald. November 22, 2007. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=1501135&objectid=10477686. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "VIDEO: Kanye West Dedicates Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" to His Mom". Us Weekly. Archived from the original on April 27, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080427090443/http://www.usmagazine.com/kanye_west_at_second_show_since_mothers_death_he_had_a_powerful_energy_inside_him. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ HipHopDX.com – Kanye West Speaks Candidly About Mother, Religion, Rap. HipHopDX.com. Retrieved December 2, 2008.
- ^ "Kanye West: Mom Honored With New Plastic Surgery Law". The Plastic Surgery Channel. http://www.theplasticsurgerychannel.com/kanye-west-mom-honored-with-new-plastic-surgery-law/. Retrieved October 14, 2009.
- ^ "Evel Knievel Sues Kanye West". The Smoking Gun. http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1212061evel1.html. Retrieved June 7, 2007.
- ^ "Evel Knievel, Kanye West settle lawsuit". USA Today (Gannett Co. Inc). November 27, 2007. http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2007-11-27-kanye-knievel_N.htm. Retrieved November 27, 2007.
- ^ "Kanye West arrested after skirmish at airport". CNN. September 11, 2008. http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/11/kanye.west.arrested/index.html. Retrieved March 19, 2009.
- ^ "Kanye West, Bodyguard Arrested At LAX". Access Hollywood. September 11, 2008. http://www.accesshollywood.com/arrests/kanye-west-bodyguard-arrested-at-los-angeles-international-airport_article_11207. Retrieved March 19, 2009.
- ^ "West escapes charge over scuffle". BBC News. September 27, 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7639307.stm. Retrieved September 18, 2009.
- ^ Kaufman, Gil (April 14, 2009). "Kanye West's Arraignment In Paparazzi Case Delayed". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1609170/20090414/west_kanye.jhtml. Retrieved September 18, 2009.
- ^ "Kanye West Arrested After Alleged Tussle With Photographer, Then Cleared". November 14, 2008. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1599323/20081114/west_kanye.jhtml. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
- ^ Byrne, Bridget (October 4, 2005). "NBC KO's Kanye's Bush Bashing". E! News. E! Online. http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=44415a2b-7481-45f8-91a3-630b0b5510de&entry=index. Retrieved January 12, 2008. [dead link]
- ^ Moraes, Lisa de (September 3, 2005). "Kanye West's Torrent of Criticism, Live on NBC". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/03/AR2005090300165.html. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
- ^ Itzkoff, Dave, "UPDATED: Kanye West Criticizes ‘Today’ Show for ‘Brutal’ Interview", The New York Times Arts Beat blog, November 10, 2010, 2:25 pm. Retrieved November 10, 2010.
- ^ "Kanye West poses as Jesus on cover of 'Rolling Stone'". Gleaner. January 26, 2006. http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20060126/ent/ent3.html. Retrieved April 27, 2008.
- ^ Simmons, Russell (November 12, 2010). "Dear Kanye West...". Huffington Post (USA). http://www.huffingtonpost.com/russell-simmons/dear-kanye-west_b_782932.html. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
- ^ Boyce Watkins (November 12, 2010). "No, Kanye Should Not Have Apologized to Bush". boycewatkins.net. http://drboycespeaks.blogspot.com/2010/11/no-kanye-should-not-have-apologized-to.html. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
- ^ "George W. Bush Cares About Kanye West's Apology". E! Online. E! Entertainment Television, Inc. November 11, 2011. http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b210484_george_w_bush_cares_about_kanye_wests.html. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
- ^ "Kanye West's Bad Behavior: A Short History". People. September 14, 2009. http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20302940_20304330,00.html. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
- ^ "Kanye Has His Sights on Best Album". San Francisco Chronicle. December 9, 2005. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=7&entry_id=2120. Retrieved April 26, 2008.
- ^ "Kanye West Unleashes Tirade After Losing at MTV Europe Music Awards". Fox News. November 3, 2006. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,227304,00.html. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "EMAs Shocker: Kanye Stage Invasion!". MTV. Archived from the original on June 3, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070603120826/http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/news/02112006/emas_shocker_kanye_stage_invasion. Retrieved June 7, 2007.
- ^ Olsen, Jan M. (November 3, 2006). "Kanye West Upset at MTV Video Award Loss". Fox News. http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2006Nov03/0,4670,MTVAwardsKanye,00.html. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "Kanye West Jealous Of Britney Opening The VMAs". Britney Spy. Archived from the original on April 24, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080424051758/http://www.britneyspy.com/2007/09/09/kanye-west-jealous-of-britney-opening-the-vmas/. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "Kanye West Loses It Again, Says He'll 'Never Return To MTV': Report". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1569313/20070910/west_kanye.jhtml. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ a b "Kanye West Storms the VMAs Stage During Taylor Swift's Speech". Rolling Stone. September 13, 2009. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kanye-west-storms-the-vmas-stage-during-taylor-swifts-speech-20090913?rand=84857. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
- ^ a b Respers, Lisa (September 14, 2009). "Anger over West's disruption at MTV awards". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/09/14/kanye.west.reaction/index.html. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
- ^ Vozick, Simon (September 13, 2009). "Kanye West interrupts Taylor Swift's VMAs moment: What was he thinking? by Simon Vozick-Levinson". Entertainment Weekly. http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/09/13/kanye-west-taylor-swift/. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
- ^ "2009 MTV Video Music Awards – Best Female Video". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2009/best-female-video/. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
- ^ a b Martens, Todd; Villarreal, Yvonne (September 15, 2009). "Kanye West expresses Swift regret on blog and 'The Jay Leno Show'". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-et-kanye-fallout15-2009sep15,0,4346169.story. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
- ^ "Adam Lambert, Donald Trump, Joe Jackson Slam Kanye West's VMA Stunt". MTV. September 13, 2009. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621475/.../swift__taylor.jhtml. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
- ^ Shaheem Reid and Rahman Dukes (September 15, 2009). "50 Cent Slams Kanye West For VMA Outburst". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621544/20090915/50_cent.jhtml. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
- ^ "Obama calls Kanye West a jackass". BBC News. September 16, 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8258330.stm. Retrieved September 16, 2009.
- ^ Gavin, Patrick (September 15, 2009). "Obama calls Kanye 'jackass'". The Politico. http://www.politico.com/click/stories/0909/did_obama_call_kanye_a_jackass.html. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
- ^ "Audio: President Obama Calls Kanye West a 'Jackass'". People. September 15, 2009. http://www.people.com/package/article/0,,20302940_20304704,00.html. Retrieved September 16, 2009.
- ^ "Obama Calls Kanye West a 'Jackass'". Fox News. September 15, 2009. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/15/obama-calls-kanye-west-jackass/. Retrieved September 16, 2009.
- ^ "Obama Calls Kanye a 'Jackass' – The Audio". TMZ. September 15, 2009. http://www.tmz.com/2009/09/15/obama-calls-kanye-a-jackass/. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
- ^ Anderson, Kyle (September 16, 2009). "Kanye West's VMA Interruption Gives Birth To Internet Photo Meme". MTV. http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/09/16/kanye-wests-vma-interruption-photos/. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
- ^ Booth, Jenny (September 14, 2009). "Kanye West spoils the show at MTV awards". The Times (London). http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article6833664.ece. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
- ^ Vena, Jocelyn (September 15, 2009). "Taylor Swift Tells 'The View' Kanye West Hasn't Contacted Her. The country star discusses her reaction to the VMA incident.". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621550/2009915/swift__taylor.jhtml. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
- ^ "Taylor Swift visits 'The View,' accepts Kanye apology". New York Post. May 15, 2009. http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/tvblogs/taylor_swift_visits_the_view_accepts_iW7OOuj6BQpLe1oX8TVFNM. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
- ^ "Kanye calls Taylor Swift after ‘View’ appearance". The Associated Press/MSNBC. September 15, 2009. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32861800/ns/entertainment-music/. Retrieved September 16, 2009.
- ^ Devon Thomas (September 7, 2010). "Kanye West Writes Song In Honor of Taylor Swift". CBS News. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-20015747-10391698.html. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
- ^ "VIDEO: Kanye West Backtracks On Taylor Swift Apology". http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2010/11/video-kanye-west-backtracks-taylor-swift-apology.
- ^ "Kanye West Backtracks On Taylor Swift Apology". http://dimewars.com/Blog/ViewBlogArticle.aspx?vn=Kanye+West+Backtracks+On+Taylor+Swift+Apology&BlogID=487b238f-9fac-4228-b9ba-7c29bdfe8528.
External links[link]
|
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kanye West |
 |
Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Kanye West |
- Official website
- Kanye West at Allmusic
- Kanye West at Beatbuggy
- Kanye West at the Internet Movie Database
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | West, Kanye Omari |
| Alternative names | |
| Short description | Rapper, record producer |
| Date of birth | June 8, 1977 |
| Place of birth | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Date of death | |
| Place of death | |
http://wn.com/Kanye_West
Related pages:
http://it.wn.com/Kanye West
http://cs.wn.com/Kanye West
http://id.wn.com/Kanye West
http://ru.wn.com/Уэст, Канье
http://nl.wn.com/Kanye West
http://pt.wn.com/Kanye West
http://es.wn.com/Kanye West
http://pl.wn.com/Kanye West
http://fr.wn.com/Kanye West
http://de.wn.com/Kanye West
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanye_West
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
| Ann Romney | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Ann Romney after speaking at CPAC in 2011 | |
| First Lady of Massachusetts | |
| In office January 3, 2003 – January 4, 2007 |
|
| Preceded by | Chuck Hunt (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Diane Patrick |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ann Lois Davies (1949-04-16) April 16, 1949 (age 63)[1] |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Mitt Romney (m. 1969) «start: (1969)»"Marriage: Mitt Romney to Ann Romney" Location: (linkback:http://en-wiki.pop.wn.com/index.php/Ann_Romney) |
| Children | Tagg (b. 1970) Matt (b. 1971) Josh (b. 1975) Ben (b. 1978) Craig (b. 1981) |
| Residence | Belmont, Massachusetts Wolfeboro, New Hampshire La Jolla, San Diego, California |
| Alma mater | Brigham Young University (B.A.) |
| Occupation | Homemaker |
| Religion | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) |
Ann Lois Romney (née Davies; born April 16, 1949) is the wife of American businessman and Republican Party politician Mitt Romney. From 2003 to 2007 she was First Lady of Massachusetts.
She was raised in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and attended the private Kingswood School there, where she dated Mitt Romney. She converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1966. She attended Brigham Young University (BYU) and married Mitt Romney in 1969. Ann Romney completed credits towards her undergraduate degree through Harvard Extension School, and in 1975 she received a Bachelor of Arts in French from BYU.
As First Lady of Massachusetts, she served as the governor's liaison for federal faith-based initiatives. She was involved in a number of children's charities, including Operation Kids, and was an active participant in her husband's 2008 presidential run, where she became the most visible of all the Republican candidates' wives in campaigning. She has continued campaigning on her husband's behalf during his 2012 presidential bid.
Ann was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1998 and has credited a mixture of mainstream and alternative treatments with giving her a lifestyle mostly without limitations. In one of those activities, equestrianism, she has consequently received recognition in dressage as an adult amateur at the national level and competed professionally in Grand Prix as well. In 2008, she was also diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ, a non-invasive type of breast cancer. She underwent a lumpectomy in December of the same year and has since been cancer-free.
She and husband Mitt have five children, all boys, born between 1970 and 1981.
Contents |
Early life[link]
Born Ann Lois Davies,[2] she was raised in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan,[3] by parents Edward R. Davies and Lois Davies.[4] Her father, originally from Caerau near Bridgend, Wales,[5] was a self-made businessman who became president of Jered Industries, a maker of heavy machinery for marine use;[4][6] he also was mayor of Bloomfield Hills.[3] Raised in the Welsh Congregationalists, he had become strongly opposed to all organized religion,[6] although on her request the family very occasionally attended church, and she nominally identified as an Episcopalian.[7][8] At times she helped out at her father's plant.[9]
Ann Davies knew of Mitt Romney since elementary school.[8] She went to the private Kingswood School in Bloomfield Hills,[10] which was the sister school to the all-boys Cranbrook School that he attended.[10] The two were re-introduced and began dating in March 1965;[11] they informally agreed to marriage after his senior prom in June 1965.[6][11]
While he was attending Stanford University for a year and then was away starting two-and-a-half years of Mormon missionary duty in France,[11] she decided on her own[3] to convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during 1966.[6][12] In doing so she accepted the guidance of Mitt's father George Romney, the Governor of Michigan.[6] (Within a year her two brothers followed her in converting.[6]) She graduated from high school in 1967 and began attending Brigham Young University (BYU).[3] She also spent a semester at the University of Grenoble in France during her freshman year.[4] The Mormon missionary rules allowed her only two brief visits with Mitt and very rare telephone calls with him.[13] While at BYU, she dated future business academic Kim S. Cameron.[13][14] She sent Mitt a "Dear John letter", while Mitt sent letters back imploring her to wait for him.[14]
Marriage and children[link]
Immediately after Romney's return from France in December 1968, the pair reconnected and agreed to get married as soon as possible.[13] Ann Davies and Mitt Romney were married by a church elder in a civil ceremony on March 21, 1969, at her Bloomfield Hills home, with a reception afterward at a local country club.[4][13] Among the 250 guests was U.S. House Minority Leader Gerald Ford, and President Richard Nixon sent congratulations.[15] The following day the couple flew to Utah for a wedding ceremony inside the Salt Lake Temple; her parents could not attend since they were non-Mormons, but were present at a subsequent wedding breakfast held for them across the street.[4][16]
The couple's first son was born in 1970[13] while both were undergraduates at BYU[17] (which Mitt had transferred to based upon her request).[14] After he graduated, the couple moved to Boston so that he could attend Harvard Business School and Harvard Law School. Slowed down by parenthood, she later finished her undergraduate work by gaining a semester and half's worth of credits via taking night courses at Harvard University Extension School.[17] Ann Romney received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in French language from BYU in 1975.[1][18]
A stay-at-home mother,[19] Romney raised the family's five boys (born between 1970 and 1981)[13] and taught early morning seminary to them and other children[19] while her husband pursued his career, first in business, then in politics.[20] She wanted to go on for a master's degree, perhaps in art history, but first taking care of her children, and later her health issues, forestalled that.[17] She was active in the local PTA and with the League of Women Voters.[21] With a friend, she held local cooking classes.[9]
Her first prolonged public exposure came during her husband's eventually losing effort in the 1994 U.S. Senate election in Massachusetts,[19] during which she campaigned for him on a nightly basis.[15] She was seen as superficial and too deferential to him[19] and some columnists labelled her a "Stepford wife".[22] Late in that campaign, she gave a long interview to The Boston Globe.[15] Her statement in it that she and her husband had never had a serious argument during their married years[15] came in for ridicule,[23] and her portrayal of the couple's student years as financially impoverished, while they lived off of sales of George Romney's stock and loans, made her seem privileged and naïve and brought a harsh public reaction.[24][25] Boston University political science professor later said, "She definitely hurt him in that race."[19] Ann Romney later termed the experience "a real education".[19]
Multiple sclerosis[link]
During 1997, Ann Romney began experiencing severe numbness, fatigue, and other symptoms,[13] and just before Thanksgiving in 1998, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.[17][20] Mitt Romney described watching her fail a series of neurological tests as the worst day of his life.[13] He later said: "I couldn't operate without Ann. We're a partnership. We've always been a partnership so her being healthy and our being able to be together is essential."[17] She initially experienced a period of severe difficulty with the disease,[1] and later said: "I was very sick in 1998 when I was diagnosed. I was pretty desperate, pretty frightened and very, very sick. It was tough at the beginning, just to think, this is how I'm going to feel for the rest of my life."[26]
Since then, she credits a mixture of mainstream and alternative treatments with giving her a lifestyle mostly without limitations.[1] She initially used corticosteroids, including intravenously, and credited them with helping stop the progression of the disease.[26] She then dropped them and other medications due to counterproductive side effects.[19] She has partaken of reflexology, acupuncture, and craniosacral therapy, and has said, "There is huge merit in both Eastern and Western medicine, and I've taken a little bit from both."[26] She is a board member for the New England chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.[18]
Equestrianism[link]
Romney is an avid equestrian, crediting her renewed involvement in it while in Park City, Utah, (where the couple had built a vacation home and where they lived when he was in charge of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games) for much of her recovery after her multiple sclerosis diagnosis[20][27] and for her continued ability to deal with the disease.[19] She has said that riding "saved my life", explaining that, "I was losing most of the function of my right side. And I decided I needed to go back and do what I loved before I couldn't do it anymore."[28] At first she could barely stay on a horse without getting tired,[29] but gradually the muscle control required for riding proved directly beneficial, and psychologically, "Riding exhilarated me; it gave me a joy and a purpose. When I was so fatigued that I couldn't move, the excitement of going to the barn and getting my foot in the stirrup would make me crawl out of bed."[28] As a result, she said, "My desire to ride was, and is, so strong that I kept getting healthier and healthier."[24]
She has received recognition in dressage as an adult amateur at the national level,[19] including earning her 2006 Gold Medal[30][28] and 2005 Silver Medal at the Grand Prix level from the United States Dressage Federation.[18][28] She also sometimes competes in professional dressage events and has broken the 60% level at Grand Prix. Romney works with California trainer Jan Ebeling,[31] who schools her and her horses in dressage and works with her importing new stock from Europe.[29] The pair qualified for the Pan-Am games in 2004. The Romneys have helped fund Ebeling's attempt to qualify for equestrian competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics.[29] By 2011, the horses she owned and kept at Eberling's Moorpark, California, stables, which she is a partner in,[28] were valued at more than $250,000.[32]
Charitable work[link]
Ann Romney has been involved in a number of children's charities, including having been a director of the inner city-oriented Best Friends, which seeks to assist inner-city adolescent girls.[22][9] She advocated a celibacy-based approach to the prevention of teen pregnancy.[24] She worked extensively with the Ten Point Coalition in Boston and with other groups that promoted better safety and opportunities for urban youths.[33]
She was an honorary board member of Families First, a parent education program in Cambridge, Massachusetts.[34] She was a volunteer instructor of middle-school girls at the multicultural Mother Caroline Academy in Boston.[22][9]
She has said her interest in helping underprivileged children dates back to when she and her five boys saw a vehicle carrying a group of boys to a Massachusetts Department of Youth Services detention center.[35] She began volunteering for the United Way of Massachusetts Bay soon after that,[35] and by 2002 was serving as one of that organization's board members.[34] She was on the Faith in Action Committee for the United Way, working with local religious establishments to assist at-risk children[22] and helping to found United Way Faith and Action.[33] Earlier, by 1996, she was a member of the Massachusetts Advisory Board of Stand for Children.[36]
During the 2002 Winter Olympics effort, she co-chaired the Olympic Aid charity, whichs provides athletic activities and programs for children in war-torn regions.[34][24]
Ann Romney was given the 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award from Salt Lake City-based Operation Kids.[37]
First Lady of Massachusetts[link]
Romney joined in her husband's campaign in the 2002 Massachusetts gubernatorial election from the start, and nominated him at the state party convention.[25] A commercial entitled "Mitt and Ann", highlighting their romance and marriage, began the campaign's television advertising.[22][24] She avoided media interviews like the one that plagued her in 1994, but was a force behind the scenes during the eventually successful campaign.[22]
In January 2003, following his election, Romney became First Lady of Massachusetts, a position she held through January 2007. In that role, she generally kept a low public profile,[38] with by her husband's initial indications no public role in administration or its policies.[22] In 2006, The Boston Globe characterized her as "largely invisible" within the state (although by then she was becoming more visible outside the state, due to national appearances in connection with her husband's possible presidential campaign).[38]
While Massachusetts First Lady, she was active in teenage pregnancy prevention efforts.[39] In 2004, she said she was in favor of stem cell research as long as it was done "morally and ethically".[26] One of her rare public appearances at the Massachusetts State House came in 2004 when she lobbied the legislature to raise awareness about multiple sclerosis.[40]
In 2005, the governor appointed his wife as head of a new special office whose purpose was to help the state's faith-based groups gain more federal monies in association with the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.[35][41] This came after the state had seen its share of faith-based grants decline over the preceding three years.[42] In this unpaid Governor's Liaison position,[18][41] Ann Romney was termed a "dynamo" by Jim Towey, director of the White House office.[42]
At the conclusion of her time as Massachusetts First Lady, Romney said that the role "doesn't need to change your life at all. I think it's an opportunity for service and an opportunity to see people of all walks of life from across the Commonwealth...It's an enriching part of your life [and one will] treasure it forever."[43] Her health was still a primary factor in family decisions about her husband's career, and Mitt said in 2005 that if her multiple sclerosis flared up, "I wouldn't be involved in politics anymore; that would be over." [44]
Role in 2008 presidential campaign[link]
Ann Romney was an active participant in her husband's 2008 presidential campaign.[45] One past issue that arose involving her was her donation of $150 to Planned Parenthood in 1994,[46] though she now considers herself pro-life[47]. By late 2007, she had become an integral part of his campaign, and was doing more trips and appearances on her own, despite the risk that added stress would aggravate her condition.[48]
Her political message was often mixed with discussions of her family, her recipes, or managing her affliction.[19][48] Romney's television advertisements in the early primary states prominently featured her[49] and by the close of 2007, she was the most visible of all the Republican candidates' wives in campaigning.[19] Regarding having to witness criticism of her husband, she later acknowledged that she sometimes wanted to "come out of my seat and clock somebody [but] you learn to just take a deep breath."[50] By the time he ended his campaign in February 2008, she had become openly distasteful of the whole process.[23]
Between campaigns[link]
In late 2008, Romney was diagnosed with mammary ductal carcinoma in situ, a non-invasive type of breast cancer, and had the lump removed via lumpectomy;[51] she subsequently underwent radiation therapy.[50] Her prognosis from this condition was excellent,[51] and she later reflected that "I was really lucky" to have caught it so early.[50] President-elect Barack Obama was among the well-wishers who called her.[52] She has been cancer-free since.
In June 2009, due to her husband's request, Ann Romney became the first spouse to be included in the official Massachusetts State House gubernatorial portrait.[53]
For many years the couple's primary residence was a house in Belmont, Massachusetts,[18] but this and the Utah home were sold in 2009. They reside in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, along Lake Winnipesaukee, and at an oceanfront home in La Jolla, San Diego, California, that they had bought the year before.[54][55][56] Both locations were near some of the Romneys' grandchildren,[55] who by 2012 numbered sixteen,[57] and the La Jolla location is near where she rides horses and is well-situated for her multiple sclerosis therapies and for recovering from her cancer treatments.[51][55][58] They also bought a smaller condominium in Belmont during 2010.[59]
Role in 2012 presidential campaign[link]
Regarding another possible run for office by her husband in the 2012 presidential election, Romney said in March 2010 that this time the process would hold no surprises, and that if he decided in favor of doing it, "I’m up to saying, go storm the castle, sweetie."[60] Although still not liking the political process, which she referred to as "a very difficult game", she urged her husband to run again.[23]
Once the campaign began, she stumped for her husband in early primary states and criticized the record and ideological direction of the Obama administration.[61] As part of trying to lighten her husband's image, she sometimes participated in comic setup routines with him.[62] Romney said that if she became First Lady of the United States, she would seek to work with at-risk youths and on behalf of those with multiple sclerosis.[63][23] She expressed admiration for three former first ladies, Mamie Eisenhower, Nancy Reagan, and Barbara Bush.[23]
By December 2011, Romney assumed an even more prominent role in the campaign, as she tried to offer a more rounded and compelling portrait of her husband while he fell behind Newt Gingrich for a stretch in polls.[23][64] Her emphasis on their 42 years of marriage and his steadfastness following the onset of her disease offered an implicit but clear contrast with Gingrich's own personal history.[23][64] During the up-and-down campaign she became known as the "Mitt-stabilizer" due to the calming effect she had on her husband, and began appearing with him more often during February 2012 as he dueled with Rick Santorum.[65] Regarding the couple's wealth, she alluded to her health problems and said, "Look, I don't even consider myself wealthy, which is an interesting thing, it can be here today and gone tomorrow. And how I measure riches is by the friends I have and the loved ones that I have and the people that I care about in my life."[66]
In April 2012, Ann Romney was spotlighted when Democratic commentator Hilary Rosen declared Romney to be unfit to address women's economic issues because as a stay-at-home mother, she had "never worked a day in her life".[67] In response, Ann Romney issued her first tweet, saying "I made a choice to stay home and raise five boys. Believe me, it was hard work."[68] The following day Rosen said, "I apologize to Ann Romney and anyone else who was offended."[67]
Awards and honors[link]
In 2005, Ann Romney received an honorary degree from Mount Ida College.[69] In 2006, she received the MS Society Inspiration Award from the Central New England Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.[70][12] In May 2008, she shared with her husband the Canterbury Medal from The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, for "refus[ing] to compromise their principles and faith" during that year's presidential campaign.[71]
See also[link]
References[link]
- ^ a b c d Page, Susan (2007-07-18). "Ann Romney's delicate balance wins her admirers". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2007-07-18-ann-romney_N.htm. Retrieved 2007-09-22.
- ^ "Photo caption". Associated Press. 2007-03-05. http://sparklepony.blogspot.com/2007/03/fresh-mitt-romney-juvenalia-hot-off.html. Retrieved 2007-09-22.
- ^ a b c d Kessler, Ronald (2007-05-23). "Ann Romney: Mitt Has Always Been Pro-Life". NewsMax.com. http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2007/5/22/90847.shtml. Retrieved 2007-09-21.
- ^ a b c d e "Mitt Romney Marries Ann Davies". The New York Times: p. 37. 1969-03-22. http://select.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=F50B12FD3A5D137A93C0AB1788D85F4D8685F9.
- ^ "Ann Romney's Welsh ancestry explored". BBC Wales. 5 January 2012. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-16432627. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
- ^ a b c d e f Swidey, Neil; Paulson, Michael (2007-06-24). "The Making of Mitt Romney: Part 1: Privilege, tragedy, and a young leader". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/06/24/privilege_tragedy_and_a_young_leader/. Retrieved 2007-09-22.
- ^ "Ann Romney: You Gotta Have Faith", ABC News, 2007-06-15. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
- ^ a b Lawrence, Jill (2007-03-12). "Will Mormon faith hurt bid for White House?". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-02-12-romney-cover_x.htm. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
- ^ a b c d Barbaro, Michael (2012-04-12). "Ann Romney’s Résumé Includes More Than ‘Stay-at-Home Mother’". The New York Times. http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/12/ann-romneys-resume-includes-more-than-stay-at-home-mother/.
- ^ a b Greenberger, Scott S. (2005-06-12). "From prankster to politician, Romney deemed a class act". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2005/06/12/from_prankster_to_politician_romney_deemed_a_class_act/. Retrieved 2007-09-21.
- ^ a b c "Mitt Talks About Ann". Excerpts from November 2006 speech: MittRomney.com. Archived from the original on 2008-02-15. http://web.archive.org/web/20080215013646/http://www.mittromney.com/Learn-About-Mitt/Photo-Album/The-Romney-Family/Mittxs_Tribute_to_Ann. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
- ^ a b "On the Road With Ann Romney". ABC News. 2007-02-14. http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=2874819. Retrieved 2007-09-21.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Swidey, Neil; Ebbert, Stephanie (2007-06-27). "The Making of Mitt Romney: Part 4: Raising sons, rising expectations bring unexpected turns". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/06/27/raising_sons_rising_expectations/. Retrieved 2007-09-22.
- ^ a b c Horowitz, Jason (2012-02-18). "Mitt Romney, as a student at a chaotic time for BYU, focused on family, church". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mitt-romney-as-a-student-at-a-chaotic-time-for-byu-focused-on-family-church/2012/02/17/gIQABaWaMR_print.html.
- ^ a b c d Thomas, Jack (1994-10-20). "Ann Romney's sweetheart deal: She decided her love of 30 years should be senator". The Boston Globe: p. 61. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8300577.html. (Subscription required)
- ^ "Romney’s Mormon Question". Time. 2007-05-10. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1619552-1,00.html. Retrieved 2007-12-11.
- ^ a b c d e Radsken, Jill (2002-12-08). "Ann Romney on her choices, family, health and future". Boston Herald. http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/news/Dec2002/AnnRomney.html. Retrieved 2007-09-21.
- ^ a b c d e "Ann's Biography". MittRomney.com. Archived from the original on 2007-10-17. http://web.archive.org/web/20071017200004/www.mittromney.com/Ann-Romney/Biography. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Kantor, Jodi (2007-12-16). "The Stay-at-Home Woman Travels Well". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/16/us/politics/16romney.html?pagewanted=all. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
- ^ a b c "Ann Romney: From the Saddle to the Campaign Trail". ABC News. 2007-08-14. http://www.abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=3477592&page=1. Retrieved 2007-08-19.
- ^ Crummy, Karen E. (2002-03-22). "Mysteries cling to popular Mitt". Boston Herald. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-84129607.html. (Subscription required)
- ^ a b c d e f g Guarino, David R. (2002-11-10). "Romney sees wife championing causes, not government policy". Boston Herald. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-94086213.html.
- ^ a b c d e f g Michael Barbaro (2011-12-13). "Campaign Sends Romney to the Rescue. Ann Romney.". The New York Times: p. A1. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/13/us/politics/ann-romney-campaigning-more-actively.html?_r=1&sq=ann%20romney&st=cse&scp=1&pagewanted=all.
- ^ a b c d e English, Bella (2002-10-29). "Where Mitt Leads, Ann Romney Follows". The Boston Globe. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7746749.html. (Subscription required)
- ^ a b Beardsley, Elisabeth (2002-04-07). "GOP embraces Romney spouse". Boston Herald. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-84481312.html. (Subscription required)
- ^ a b c d "Romney's wife supports 'ethical' stem cell work". The Boston Globe. Associated Press. 2004-08-11. http://www.boston.com/yourlife/health/diseases/articles/2004/08/11/romneys_wife_supports_ethical_stem_cell_work/. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
- ^ Lasko, Patricia (May 2004). "Dressage Helps Romney Cope with Multiple Sclerosis". Dressage Today. http://www.equisearch.com/horses_riding_training/english/dressage/romney_070505/. Retrieved 2007-11-22.
- ^ a b c d e Abcarian, Robin (May 22, 2012). "On a trail of her own". Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/2012/may/22/nation/la-na-ann-romney-dressage-20120522.
- ^ a b c Gabriel, Trip (May 27, 2012). "In Rarefied Sport, a View of the Romneys' World". The New York Times: p. 1. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/27/us/politics/ann-romneys-hobby-spotlights-world-of-dressage.html?_r=1&hp&pagewanted=all.
- ^ "Rider Award Recipients: Gold Medal (All)". United States Dressage Federation. http://www.usdf.org/awards/performance/rider.asp?YearPass=All&TypePass=GoldMedal. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
- ^ "Jan Ebling and Ann Romney's Liberte". DressageDaily.com. 2002-06-21. http://www.dressagedaily.com/2002/dd_200206/dd_20020620.html.
- ^ Viser, Matt (August 12, 2011). "Romney’s net worth pegged at $190-$250M". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/Boston/politicalintelligence/2011/08/romney-net-worth-pegged/lHBpKxaHYWDhJzOiCuA7fI/index.html.
- ^ a b Lewis, Raphael (2005-08-28). "Romneys listed as big givers to charity". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/yourlife/specials/giving/articles/2005/08/28/romneys_listed_as_big_givers_to_charity/. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
- ^ a b c Ebbert, Stephanie (May 29, 2002). "Romney Discloses Financial Holdings". The Boston Globe. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7722605.html. (Subscription required)
- ^ a b c Mulvihill, Maggie (2005-06-29). "Ann Romney to coordinate Mass. faith-based programs". Boston Herald. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-133657869.html. (Subscription required)
- ^ Scales, Ann (1996-05-26). "Children's advocates plan for Washington march". The Boston Globe. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8370385.html.
- ^ "2006 Lifetime Achievement Award: Ann Romney". Operation Kids. 2006-11-16. http://www.operationkids.org/operation-kids-presents-ann-romney-lifetime-achievement-award. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
- ^ a b Helman, Scott (2006-02-27). "Ann Romney's time". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/02/27/ann_romneys_time/. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
- ^ Superville, Darlene (2007-10-02). "Some Women Who Could Be First Lady". Deseret News. Associated Press (Salt Lake City). http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695215232,00.html. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
- ^ Rodriguez, Matthew (2004-05-12). "Romney presses MS awareness". The Boston Globe: p. B3.
- ^ a b Phillips, Frank (2005-06-29). "Romney creates office for faith-based groups". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/06/29/romney_creates_office_for_faith_based_groups/. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
- ^ a b Helman, Scott (2006-03-20). "Mass. loses ground in faith-based funding". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/03/20/mass_loses_ground_in_faith_based_funding/. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
- ^ Wangsness, Lisa (2006-11-09). "Carving a path as lawyer and governor's wife". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/11/09/carving_a_path_as_lawyer_and_governors_wife/. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
- ^ Helman, Scott (2005-12-21). "Romney says politics 'over' if wife is sicker". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/12/21/romney_says_politics_over_if_wife_is_sicker/. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
- ^ "Ann Romney in South Carolina: A Family Affair". ABC News. 2007-07-18. http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/07/ann-romney-in-s.html. Retrieved 2007-11-22.
- ^ "Romney's Wife Gave Money to Planned Parenthood". ABC News. 2007-05-09. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Story?id=3157749.
- ^ [1]
- ^ a b Liberto, Jennifer (2007-11-21). "Romney's key ingredient". St. Petersburg Times. http://www.sptimes.com/2007/11/21/Southpinellas/Romney_s_key_ingredie.shtml. Retrieved 2007-12-01.
- ^ Kuhnhenn, Jim (2007-11-19). "Adwatch: Romney highlights family in Iowa and NH ads". The Boston Globe. Associated Press.
- ^ a b c Heslam, Jessica (2009-01-05). "Ann Romney: I was ‘really lucky’ in cancer fight". Boston Herald. http://www.bostonherald.com/jobfind/news/media/view/20100105ann_romney_i_was_really_lucky_in_cancer_fight/srvc=home&position=also. Retrieved 2009-01-07.
- ^ a b c Levenson, Michael (2008-12-06). "Ann Romney has surgery to remove precancerous lump". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/12/06/ann_romney_has_surgery_to_remove_precancerous_lump/. Retrieved 2008-12-14.
- ^ "Romney: Obama called after wife fell ill recently". The Boston Globe. Associated Press. 2009-01-04. http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/01/04/romney_obama_called_after_wife_fell_ill_recently/. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
- ^ Viser, Matt (2009-07-01). "Romney returns to the State House for a cameo role". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/01/romney_returns_to_the_state_house_for_a_cameo_role/. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
- ^ Issenberg, Sasha (2009-08- 30). "The Long-Distance Runner". The Boston Globe Sunday Magazine. http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/magazine/articles/2009/08/30/the_long_distance_runner/.
- ^ a b c McPike, Erin; Barnes, James A. (2009-05-06). "A Granite State Home Base For Romney?". The Hotline. http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2009/05/a_granite_state.php.
- ^ Abel, David (2009-02-17). "2 Romney estates hit the market". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/02/17/2_romney_estates_hit_the_market/.
- ^ "About Mitt". Mitt Romney for President. http://mittromney.com/learn/mitt. Retrieved 2012-01-26.
- ^ Johnson, Glen (2008-05-24). "Former Mass. Gov. Romney buys home in California". Associated Press. Boston: WHDH-TV. http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO79140/. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
- ^ Issenberg, Sasha (2010-08-24). "A 25-state midterm swing for Romney". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2010/08/24/romney_road_trip_may_set_stage_for_white_house_bid/.
- ^ Yager, Jordy (2010-03-07). "Romney: No decision on 2012 presidential run until after midterms". The Hill. http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/85345-romney-no-2012-decision-until-after-midterms. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
- ^ Shira Schoenberg, Shira (2011-08-11). "Ann Romney stumps for Mitt in N.H.". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/Boston/politicalintelligence/2011/08/ann-romney-stumps-for-mitt/LmpwZV1z60JR6i6G3NpmaP/index.html. Retrieved 2011-09-01.
- ^ Reston, Maeve (2011-10-10). "Mitt Romney turns to wife Ann to show his 'other side'". Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/2011/oct/10/news/la-pn-romney-ann-side-20111010. Retrieved 2011-10-17.
- ^ Goldman, Russell (2011-10-05). "Ann Romney Says She’ll Work With Troubled Teens as First Lady". ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/10/ann-romney-says-shell-work-with-troubled-teens-as-first-lady-3/. Retrieved 2011-10-17.
- ^ a b Walshe, Shushannah (2011-12-14). "Ann Romney on Her Husband: ‘He’ll Stick With You In The Hard Times’". ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/12/ann-romney-on-her-husband-hell-stick-with-you-in-the-hard-times/. Retrieved 2011-12-14.
- ^ Parker, Ashley; Barbaro, Michael (February 27, 2012). "Romney Takes Analytic Approach to Campaign Chaos". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/28/us/politics/romney-takes-analytic-approach-to-campaign-setbacks.html.
- ^ Askar, Jamshid Ghazi (2012-03-06). "Ann Romney: I measure riches by friends and loved ones". Deseret News. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765557324/Ann-Romney-I-measure-riches-by-friends-and-loved-ones.html. Retrieved 2012-04-13.
- ^ a b "Rosen apologizes over comments against Ann Romney". CNN. 2012-04-12. http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/12/rosen-apologizes-over-comments-against-ann-romney/. Retrieved 2012-04-12.
- ^ Friedman, Emily (2012-04-11). "Ann Romney Fights Back: Debuts on Twitter to Counter DNC Advisor’s Insult". ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/04/debuts-on-twitter-to-counter-dnc-advisors-insult/. Retrieved 2012-04-13.
- ^ "Commencements". The Boston Globe. 2005-05-21. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7900842.html. (Subscription required)
- ^ "Dinner of Champions". MS Connection (National Multiple Sclerosis Society): p. 2. Summer 2006. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/mam/chapter-news/newsletters/download.aspx?id=6607.
- ^ Roche, Lisa Riley (2008-05-10). "Romney honored for 'Defense of Religious Liberty'". Deseret News (Salt Lake City). http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700224763,00.html. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
External links[link]
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Honorary titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Chuck Hunt |
First Lady of Massachusetts 2003 – 2007 |
Succeeded by Diane Patrick |
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Romney, Ann |
| Alternative names | Davies, Ann Lois |
| Short description | Wife of Mitt Romney, First Lady of Massachusetts |
| Date of birth | April 16, 1949 |
| Place of birth | |
| Date of death | |
| Place of death | |
http://wn.com/Ann_Romney
Related pages:
http://fr.wn.com/Ann Romney
http://nl.wn.com/Ann Romney
http://pt.wn.com/Ann Romney
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_Romney
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
 Rice in April 2006 |
|||||||||
|
No. 80, 19
|
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide Receiver | |||||||||
|
Personal information
|
|||||||||
| Date of birth: (1962-10-13) October 13, 1962 (age 49) | |||||||||
| Place of birth: Starkville,Mississippi | |||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
Career information
|
|||||||||
| College: Mississippi Valley State | |||||||||
| NFL Draft: 1985 / Round: 1 / Pick: 16 | |||||||||
| Debuted in 1985 for the San Francisco 49ers | |||||||||
| Last played in 2004 for the Seattle Seahawks | |||||||||
|
Career history
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
Career highlights and awards
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
Career NFL statistics as of 2004
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
| Pro Football Hall of Fame | |||||||||
| College Football Hall of Fame | |||||||||
Jerry Lee Rice (born October 13, 1962) is a retired American football wide receiver. He is widely considered to be the greatest wide receiver of all time and is considered by many to be the best NFL player to ever play football.[1] On November 4, 2010, Rice was chosen by NFL Network's NFL Films production The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players as the greatest player in NFL history.
The all-time leader in most major statistical categories for wide receivers[2] and the all-time NFL leader in touchdowns scored with 208, Rice was selected to the Pro Bowl 13 times (1986–1996, 1998, 2002) and named All-Pro 12 times in his 20 NFL seasons. He won three Super Bowl rings playing for the San Francisco 49ers and an AFC Championship with the Oakland Raiders.
Contents |
Early years[link]
Jerry Rice was born and raised in Starkville, Mississippi, as the son of a brick mason. He developed his hands while working for his father. His speed also helped him excel in football in high school. He enjoyed watching football on television.
According to his book "Rice" (written with Michael Silver), the school's principal tracked him down for skipping class,[3] but when he called his name the startled Rice sprinted off running. After seeing him run, the principal decided to let him join the football team or be punished. Jerry decided upon football and the principal told the school's football coach about his speed. The truthfulness of this story has been questioned.
College career[link]
Jerry Rice attended Mississippi Valley State University (from 1980–1984) becoming a standout receiver. He acquired the nickname "World" because there wasn't a ball in the world he couldn't catch. Statistics from his college career are sparse, but the College Football Hall of Fame website claims that Rice, as a sophomore in 1982, caught 66 passes for 1,133 yards and 7 touchdowns. That was his first season playing with redshirt freshman quarterback Willie Totten, nicknamed "Satellite." Together, Totten and Rice would become known as "The Satellite Express" and set numerous NCAA records in the spread offense of coach Archie Cooley, nicknamed "The Gunslinger."
Rice had a record-setting 1983 campaign, including NCAA marks for receptions (102) and receiving yards (1,450) and being named first-team Division I-AA All-America. He also set a single-game NCAA record by catching 24 passes against Southern University. As a senior in 1984, he broke his own Division I-AA records for receptions (112) and receiving yards (1,845). His 27 touchdown receptions in that 1984 season set the NCAA mark for all divisions.
The 1984 season was also memorable for MVSU as the pass-happy Delta Devils attracted national attention, scoring 628 points (an average of more than 59 per game). After an August practice experiment, Cooley had Totten call all the plays at the line of scrimmage without a huddle. The result was even more staggering offensive numbers. Rice caught 17 passes for 199 yards against Southern, 17 for 294 against Kentucky State and 15 for 285 against Jackson State, the first time MVSU beat them since 1954. Rice scored 5 TDs twice that year. He finished his career with 301 catches for 4,693 yards and 50 touchdowns (some sources have the numbers as 310, 4,856 and 51); his NCAA record for total career touchdown receptions stood until 2006, when University of New Hampshire wide receiver David Ball recorded his 51st career receiving touchdown.
Rice was named to every All-American team (including the AP squad) and finished 9th in Heisman Trophy balloting in 1984. In the Blue Gray Classic all-star game played on Christmas Day, he earned MVP honors. Rice wore No. 88 in college, but he switched to No. 80 in the pros.
In the spring of 1999, the school renamed its football stadium from Magnolia Stadium to Rice-Totten Stadium in honor of Rice and Totten. Rice was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on August 12, 2006.[4]
Professional career[link]
San Francisco 49ers[link]
Rice's 1984 record-breaking season at Mississippi Valley caught the attention of many NFL scouts, but his speed (reportedly only 4.71 in the 40-yard dash)[5] kept most wary, although there were apparently at least two exceptions: the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers. In his autobiography, Rice says the Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, San Diego Chargers, and Indianapolis Colts had kept in contact with him prior to the draft. In the first round of the 1985 NFL draft, Dallas had the 17th selection and San Francisco had the last (as Super Bowl champions from 1984). 49ers coach Bill Walsh reportedly sought Rice after watching highlights of Rice the Saturday night before San Francisco was to play the Houston Oilers on October 21, 1984. On draft day (April 30, 1985), the 49ers traded its first two picks for New England's first-round choice, the 16th selection overall (the teams also swapped third-round picks as part of the deal), and selected Rice before, as some report, the Cowboys were intending to pick him. Rice was prized more highly by the USFL, as he was the #1 pick overall in that short-lived league's 1985 draft.
Although he struggled at times (dropping numerous passes), Rice impressed the NFL in his rookie season for the 49ers in 1985, especially after a 10-catch, 241-yard game against the Los Angeles Rams in December. For that rookie season, he recorded 49 catches for 927 yards, averaging 18.9 yards per catch and was named NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year. (Eddie Brown of the Cincinnati Bengals, one of the two wide receivers taken ahead of Rice, was named the NFL Rookie of the Year.) The following season, he caught 86 passes for a league-leading 1,570 yards and 15 touchdowns. It was the first of six seasons in which Rice would lead the NFL in receiving yards and touchdown receptions. In 1987, he was named the NFL's MVP by the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) and the Pro Football Writers Association (PFWA) and the Offensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press (AP). Despite playing in only 12 games that year (NFL players strike), he still managed to gain 1,078 receiving yards and an NFL-record 22 touchdown receptions which stood until 2007 when it was broken by Randy Moss in 16 games. In 1987, the runner-up to Rice in touchdown receptions was Philadelphia Eagles receiver Mike Quick with 11. This marked the first time in post NFL-AFL merger history that a category leader doubled the total of his nearest competitor.[6]
In 1988, Rice averaged a career high 20.4 yards per catch (64 passes for 1,306 yards) and 9 touchdowns. The 49ers once again won the NFC West with a 10–6 record. In the postseason, he was instrumental in the 49ers' 28–3 win over the Chicago Bears in the NFC title game, recording 5 catches for 123 yards and 2 touchdowns. But his performance in Super Bowl XXIII was even better. In possibly his finest performance ever, Rice caught 11 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 5 yards, helping the 49ers to a narrow 20–16 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. His receptions and receiving yards were both Super Bowl records. For his performance, he became only the third wide receiver to earn Super Bowl MVP honors.
In 1989, San Francisco made it back to the Super Bowl, aided by Rice's 82 receptions for 1,483 yards and 17 touchdowns during the season, and his 12 catches for 169 yards and 2 touchdowns in their 2 playoff games. He was once again a major factor in the 49ers championship win, finishing Super Bowl XXIV with 7 catches for 148 yards and a Super Bowl record 3 touchdown receptions.
Rice had another superb season in 1990, leading the NFL in receptions (100), receiving yards (1,502) and receiving touchdowns (13). In a week 6 match-up with the Atlanta Falcons, Rice caught a career-best 5 touchdowns. San Francisco finished the year with an NFL-best 14–2 record, but failed to "3-peat" as Super Bowl champions, losing to the New York Giants 15–13 in the NFC title game.
After seasons of 80 catches for 1,206 yards and 14 touchdowns in 1991, 84 catches for 1,201 yards and 10 touchdowns in 1992, and 98 catches for 1,503 yards and 15 touchdowns in 1993, Rice made it back to the Super Bowl with the 49ers in the 1994 season, recording a career-high 112 receptions for 1,499 yards and 13 touchdowns. During the 49ers' first game of that season against the Los Angeles Raiders, he caught 7 passes for a season-high 169 yards and two touchdowns (and rushing for one more), moving into first place in the NFL records for career touchdowns, with 127. Although he only caught 6 passes in San Francisco's 2 playoff games that year, he proved to be a vital component in their 49–26 victory over the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX, recording 10 receptions for 149 yards and 3 touchdowns — despite playing with a separated shoulder for much of the game.
In 1995, Rice caught a career high 122 passes for an NFL record 1,848 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns (along with 1 touchdown each by way of running, passing, and recovering a fumble). However, the 49ers lost in the divisional playoffs to the Green Bay Packers, despite Rice's impressive 11-catch, 117-yard performance. The following year, he recorded 108 receptions (again leading the NFL) for 1,254 yards and 8 touchdowns. San Francisco won in the wild card round, but once more lost to the Packers in the divisional playoffs. In his 3 seasons between 1994 and 1996, Rice had racked up a whopping 342 catches for 4,601 yards and 36 touchdowns.
During the 49ers' opening game of the 1997 season, he tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee on a reverse. Warren Sapp of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers grabbed Rice by the face-mask and wrenched him to the ground with it, drawing a 15-yard personal foul. The injury broke his streak of 189 consecutive games played. Fourteen weeks later, he made his return, much earlier than doctors wanted him to. He scored a touchdown, but when he came down with the catch, he cracked the patella in his left kneecap. He was forced to miss the Pro Bowl for the first time in 11 years. However, he made a full recovery, coming back to record 82 catches for 1,157 yards and 9 touchdowns in 1998 and being named to his 12th Pro Bowl.
1999 was the first season that Rice failed to reached 1000 yards receiving while playing in all 16 games. The same thing happened in 2000, in his final season as in San Francisco.
Oakland Raiders[link]
With the emergence of Terrell Owens in San Francisco, and because of their desire to rebuild the team and clear salary, Rice left the 49ers and signed with the Oakland Raiders, following the conclusion of the 2000 season.[7] He joined a Raiders team coming off a loss in the AFC playoffs, to form one of the oldest receiver duos with Tim Brown.
The two played well together, as Rice caught 83 passes for 1,139 yards and 9 touchdowns. In 2002 he did even better, catching 92 passes for 1,211 yards and 7 touchdowns, being named to his 13th Pro Bowl and assisting Oakland to an AFC championship and appearance in Super Bowl XXXVII. His team lost 48–21 to the Buccaneers in the Super Bowl, with Rice recording 5 receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown.[8] His 48-yard touchdown catch in the 4th quarter made him the first player ever to catch a touchdown pass in 4 different Super Bowls.
On November 11, 2002 against the Denver Broncos, Rice scored his 200th career touchdown, and surpassed Walter Payton to become the NFL's all-time leader in total yardage. Oakland dropped from an 11–5 record in 2002 to a 4–12 record in 2003, leading to frustration from Rice about his role on the team; he eventually requested a trade.[9]
Seattle Seahawks[link]
Rice was traded to the Seattle Seahawks six games into the 2004 season, and was reunited with Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren, who had previously worked with Rice as San Francisco's offensive coordinator.[10] After speaking with Hall of Fame wide receiver Steve Largent, Rice was granted permission to wear Largent's retired jersey number 80.[11]
In a Monday Night Football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Rice set the career NFL record for combined net yards by catching a 27-yard touchdown pass from Matt Hasselbeck.[12] He finished that game with 8 catches for 145 yards and a touchdown.[13] Rice would play his last (non-preseason) professional game for Seattle - a wildcard loss to the St. Louis Rams in which he did not catch a pass.
Retirement[link]
At the conclusion of the 2004 season (his 20th in the NFL), Rice initially opted to join the Denver Broncos on a one-year deal,[14] but ultimately decided he would rather retire than be at the bottom of any team's depth chart.[15]
On August 19, 2006, the San Francisco 49ers announced that Rice would sign a contract with them, allowing him to retire as a member of the team where his career began. On August 24, he officially retired as a 49er, signing a one-day contract for $1,985,806.49. The number represented the year Rice was drafted (1985), his number (80), the year he retired (2006), and the 49ers (49). The figure was ceremonial, and Rice received no money. There was a halftime ceremony to honor him during the 49ers' matchup with the Seattle Seahawks on November 19, 2006.
Legacy[link]
Jerry Rice is the NFL record holder in a number of statistics for receivers. His 1,549 career receptions are 445 receptions ahead of the second place record held by Tony Gonzalez. His 22,895 career receiving yards are 6,961 yards ahead of the second place spot held by his former 49ers teammate Terrell Owens. His 197 career touchdown receptions are 44 scores more than the 153 touchdown receptions by both Randy Moss and his former 49ers teammate, Terrell Owens, and his 208 total touchdowns (197-rec, 10-rush, 1-pass) are 33 scores ahead of Emmitt Smith's second place total of 175. Furthermore, his 1,256 career points scored make him the highest-scoring non-kicker in NFL history. A career spanning two decades, Rice averaged 75.6 receiving yards per game that he played, fifth-highest in NFL history among wide receivers. Only Andre Johnson (79.7), Torry Holt (77.4), Marvin Harrison (76.7), and Larry Fitzgerald (76.0) have averaged more receiving yards per game over the stretch of a career.
To illustrate the significance of his 22,895 receiving yards, if Rice had not gained any other yards on rush attempts or kick returns, his 22,895 receiving yards would still rank him second place on the NFL's list all-purpose yard leaders (category based on combination of rushing, receiving, kick/punt return yards, and interception/fumble return yards) (he has collected 23,540 all-purpose yards: 22,895 receiving, 645 rushing, and 6 from punt returns).
Another example of Rice's dominance is his performance against Deion Sanders, considered by many as one of the best coverage cornerbacks of all-time. From 1989 to 1996 Rice had good numbers against Sanders' teams. With Rice completing 60 receptions for 1,051 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns against Sanders' teams (this would project to approximately 96 receptions for 1682 yards and 18 touchdowns in 16 games). Rice's teams won six of the ten games. To Sanders credit, Deion had 4 interceptions for 58 yards and 0 touchdowns in those ten games.And in those early years Sanders was not going one on one with Rice, he was lined up one one side of the field, so he was not always covering Rice. Rice played against Sanders' teams twelve times, but Sanders did not play in two of those games (once in 1992 and once in 1993).[16][17]
Rice is remembered for his work ethic and dedication to the game. In his 20 NFL seasons, Rice missed only 10 regular season games, 7 of them in the 1997 season, and the other 3 in the strike-shortened season of 1987. His 303 games are by far the most ever played by an NFL wide receiver, but are 72 games behind the NFL record for games played by any player. In addition to staying on the field, his work ethic showed in his dedication to conditioning and running precise routes, with coach Dennis Green calling him "the best route runner I've ever seen." Also known as one of the best blockers at his position, there was no aspect of playing wide receiver at which Rice did not excel.
In 1999, he was ranked number 2 on The Sporting News list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, behind only Jim Brown, and was 35 places ahead of the next-highest-ranked player then active, Deion Sanders.
On November 4, 2010, Rice was ranked number 1 on The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players.
In 2011, The Sports Network awarded the inaugural Jerry Rice Award, to be given each year to the most outstanding freshman Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) player. The inaugural winner was Towson running back Terrance West.[18]
Pro Football Hall of Fame[link]
Rice was selected for induction in the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2010 in his first year of eligibility. He was inducted in Canton, OH on August 7, 2010 alongside Emmitt Smith, Floyd Little, Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, Dick LeBeau, and John Randle.[19] On September 20, 2010, during halftime at the 49ers-Saints game, Rice's #80 jersey number was retired.
Career Stats[link]
| Receiving | Rushing | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | G | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD |
| 1985 | SF | 16 | 4 | 49 | 927 | 18.9 | 66 | 3 | 6 | 26 | 4.3 | 15 | 1 |
| 1986 | SF | 16 | 15 | 86 | 1570 | 18.3 | 66 | 15 | 10 | 72 | 7.2 | 18 | 1 |
| 1987 | SF | 12 | 12 | 65 | 1078 | 16.6 | 57 | 22 | 8 | 51 | 6.4 | 17 | 1 |
| 1988 | SF | 16 | 16 | 64 | 1306 | 20.4 | 96 | 9 | 13 | 107 | 8.2 | 29 | 1 |
| 1989 | SF | 16 | 16 | 82 | 1483 | 18.1 | 68 | 17 | 5 | 33 | 6.6 | 17 | 0 |
| 1990 | SF | 16 | 16 | 100 | 1502 | 15.0 | 64 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1991 | SF | 16 | 16 | 80 | 1206 | 15.1 | 73 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1992 | SF | 16 | 16 | 84 | 1201 | 14.3 | 80 | 10 | 9 | 58 | 6.4 | 26 | 1 |
| 1993 | SF | 16 | 16 | 98 | 1503 | 15.3 | 80 | 15 | 3 | 69 | 23.0 | 43 | 1 |
| 1994 | SF | 16 | 16 | 112 | 1499 | 13.4 | 69 | 13 | 7 | 93 | 13.3 | 28 | 2 |
| 1995 | SF | 16 | 16 | 122 | 1848 | 15.1 | 81 | 15 | 5 | 36 | 7.2 | 20 | 1 |
| 1996 | SF | 16 | 16 | 108 | 1254 | 11.6 | 39 | 8 | 11 | 77 | 7.0 | 38 | 1 |
| 1997 | SF | 2 | 1 | 7 | 78 | 11.1 | 16 | 1 | 1 | -10 | -10.0 | -10 | 0 |
| 1998 | SF | 16 | 16 | 82 | 1157 | 14.1 | 75 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | SF | 16 | 16 | 67 | 830 | 12.4 | 62 | 5 | 2 | 13 | 6.5 | 11 | 0 |
| 2000 | SF | 16 | 16 | 75 | 805 | 10.7 | 68 | 7 | 1 | -2 | -2.0 | -2 | 0 |
| 2001 | Oak | 16 | 15 | 83 | 1139 | 13.7 | 40 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | Oak | 16 | 16 | 92 | 1211 | 13.2 | 75 | 7 | 3 | 20 | 6.7 | 12 | 0 |
| 2003 | Oak | 16 | 15 | 63 | 869 | 13.8 | 47 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | Oak | 6 | 5 | 5 | 67 | 13.4 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | Sea | 11 | 9 | 25 | 362 | 14.5 | 56 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| total | 303 | 284 | 1549 | 22895 | 14.8 | 96 | 197 | 87 | 645 | 7.4 | 43 | 10 | |
Media work[link]
Rice and quarterback Steve Young appeared together in Visa, All Sport, and Gatorade commercials when they were both playing for the 49ers.
During the 2005–2006 broadcasting season, Rice competed in the reality show Dancing with the Stars. He was paired with dancer Anna Trebunskaya, and they reached the final two before finally losing to singer Drew Lachey and his partner Cheryl Burke. Rice also appeared in a season two episode of FOX's Don't Forget the Lyrics! as a backup dancer. He appeared in the first episode of Spike TV's Pros vs Joes challenge show. He also made a cameo in the television series The Game. Rice has also appeared in an episode of the CW's One Tree Hill.
In 2007 and 2008, Rice appeared in Zaxby's restaurant television advertisements. In 2008, Rice and Steve Young appeared on an episode of reality show The Biggest Loser: Families as coaches putting the contestants through football drills. Rice and Young as well as Deion Sanders have appeared in commercials for Van Heusen clothing company as "Fashion Judges." In 2009, Rice portrayed Hal Gore in the film Without a Paddle: Nature's Calling.[20]
Rice has co-authored two books about his life: Rice (with Michael Silver, published 1996, ISBN 0-312-14795-3) and Go Long: My Journey Beyond the Game and the Fame (with Brian Curtis, published 2007, ISBN 0-345-49611-6). He co-hosts Sports Sunday with NBC sportscaster Raj Mathai, a prime time sports show shown in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Rice is a supporter of Chiropractic care and is a spokesperson for the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress.[21]
Rice and his dog, Nitus, were featured in Jerry Rice & Nitus' Dog Football, a video game for the Nintendo Wii that was released on August 16, 2011.[22]
Golf career[link]
Rice competed in the Fresh Express Classic at TPC Stonebrae on the Nationwide Tour on April 15–16, 2010. He received a sponsor's exemption to play in the tournament. Rice missed the cut and finished one shot ahead of last place,[23] finishing 17-over and 151st among the 152 players who completed two rounds. Rice has played golf for over 20 years and has only participated in pro-amateur events until now. Rice would wake up early to hit the driving range before 49ers practices.[24]
Personal[link]
Jerry Rice has a son, Jerry Rice, Jr., who attended high school at Menlo School in Atherton, California, graduating in 2009. He currently attends UCLA and is a member of their football team.[25][26] Jerry Rice, Jr. is a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.
References[link]
- ^ "Start with Rice No. 1, Moss No. 2 in best WR debate – NFL – ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. March 26, 2008. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=sando_mike&id=3309223. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ "History". Nfl.com. http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/indiv/receiving. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ Press, Associated. "BCS review of Fiesta could conclude in month – AP News Wire, Associated Press News". Salon.com. http://www.salon.com/wires/sports/2010/08/04/D9HCPNUG0_fbn_hall_of_fame_jerry_rice/index.html. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ "College Football Hall of Fame || News". Collegefootball.org. http://www.collegefootball.org/news.php?id=861. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ White, David (April 21, 2009). History points to speed over TDs. San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/04/21/SPRC174DBP.DTL. Retrieved April 26, 2009
- ^ Numbelivable!, p.147, Michael X. Ferraro and John Veneziano, Triumph Books, Chicago, Illinois, 2007, ISBN 978-1-57243-990-0
- ^ Peterson, Anne (April 6, 2001). "It's official: Rice is a Raider". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/It-s-official-Rice-is-a-Raider-1056433.php.
- ^ Super Bowl XXXVII
- ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1901415
- ^ Hack, Damon (October 21, 2004). "NFL: Rice eager to show he's not done yet". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/20/sports/20iht-nfl.html?_r=1.
- ^ . October 20, 2004. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=NewsLibrary&p_multi=TNTB&d_place=TNTB&p_theme=newslibrary2&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=105DBFCEAAB1B385&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM.
- ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1940143
- ^ http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2004120600/2004/REG13/cowboys@seahawks
- ^ "Broncos give Rice a chance to extend career". USA Today. May 26, 2005. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/broncos/2005-05-25-rice-signing_x.htm.
- ^ "Football Legend Jerry Rice Retires". CBS News. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/09/05/archive/main816606.shtml.
- ^ "Jerry Rice: Game Logs at". Nfl.com. October 13, 1962. http://www.nfl.com/players/jerryrice/gamelogs?id=RIC128880. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ "Deion Sanders: Game Logs at". Nfl.com. http://www.nfl.com/players/deionsanders/gamelogs?id=SAN282736. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ Hunt, Donald. "Jerry Rice Award humbles its namesake". http://espn.go.com. ESPN.com. http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7518684/jerry-rice-award-humbles-namesake-college-football. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
- ^ Michael David Smith %BloggerTitle% (January 8, 2010). "Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith Among Hall of Fame Finalists". Nfl.fanhouse.com. http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/01/08/jerry-rice-emmitt-smith-among-hall-of-fame-finalists?icid=sphere_newsaol_inpage_fanhouse2. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ Without a Paddle: Nature's Calling at the Internet Movie Database
- ^ http://www.foundation4cp.com/#
- ^ "Jerry Rice & Nitus' Dog Football Wii". IGN. http://wii.ign.com/objects/115/115086.html. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
- ^ Jerry Rice misses cut in Nationwide Tour event
- ^ Jerry Rice hopes to catch on in professional golf
- ^ "Player Bio: Jerry Rice, Jr. – UCLA Official Athletic Site". Uclabruins.com. July 27, 1991. http://www.uclabruins.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/ricejr_jerry00.html. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ Menlo's Jerry Rice Jr. commits to UCLA
External links[link]
- Jerry Rice at Pro-Football-Reference.com
- Official website
- ESPN Classic: 49ers era was Rice era
- Jerry Rice Biography from 49ers Paradise
- Jerry Rice at the Internet Movie Database
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Doug Williams |
NFL Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XXIII, 1989 |
Succeeded by Joe Montana |
| Preceded by John O'Hurley & Charlotte Jørgensen |
Dancing with the Stars (US) runner up Season 2 (Spring 2006 with Anna Trebunskaya) |
Succeeded by Mario Lopez & Karina Smirnoff |
| Records | ||
| Preceded by Charlie Hennigan |
NFL single-season receiving record 1995–present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Rice, Jerry |
| Alternative names | |
| Short description | retired Hall of Fame American football wide receiver |
| Date of birth | October 13, 1962 |
| Place of birth | Starkville, Mississippi |
| Date of death | |
| Place of death | |
http://wn.com/Jerry_Rice
Related pages:
http://fr.wn.com/Jerry Rice
http://pt.wn.com/Jerry Rice
http://de.wn.com/Jerry Rice
http://it.wn.com/Jerry Rice
http://es.wn.com/Jerry Rice
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Rice
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
| Nicole Brown Simpson | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1959-05-19)May 19, 1959 Frankfurt, West Germany |
| Died | June 12, 1994(1994-06-12) (aged 35) Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Murder |
| Resting place | Ascension Cemetery Lake Forest, California |
| Residence | Los Angeles, California |
| Other names | Nicole Brown |
| Education | Rancho Alamitos High School (Freshman/Sophomore Year) Dana Hills High School (Junior/Senior Year) |
| Home town | Laguna Beach, California, U.S. |
| Spouse | O. J. Simpson (February 2, 1985–October 15, 1992) |
| Children | Sydney Brooke Simpson Justin Ryan Simpson |
| Parents | Juditha Anne and Louis Hezekiel Brown |
Nicole Brown Simpson (May 19, 1959 – June 12, 1994) was a former wife of professional football player O. J. Simpson.
Contents |
Relationship with O. J. Simpson[link]
Brown met O. J. Simpson in 1977 while working as a waitress at a Beverly Hills nightclub, Trey's.[1] Although he was still married to his first wife Marguerite, Simpson and Brown began dating. Simpson and Marguerite divorced in March 1980.[2] Brown and Simpson were married on February 2, 1985, five years after his retirement from professional football.[3] They had two children together, Sydney Brooke (born October 17, 1985) and Justin Ryan Simpson (born August 6, 1988).[4] The marriage lasted seven years, during which Simpson pleaded no contest to spousal abuse in 1989.[5] Brown filed for divorce on February 25, 1992 citing "irreconcilable differences".[6]
In his hypothetical memoir If I Did It, Simpson describes Brown as having a dual personality-- one caring and another reflexively hostile. Simpson depicts Brown as often emotionally abusive and states that Brown would continuously argue with him, often over irrelevant and pointless things. Simpson also describes Brown as a habitual user of illegal drugs. Book ghostwriter/co-writer Pablo Fenjves later described Simpson's views as self-delusion.[7][8]
Murder[link]
She was murdered at her home in Los Angeles, California, along with her friend Ronald Goldman allegedly by her ex-husband O. J. Simpson, he was arrested and found not guilty of murdering both her and Goldman in a controversial criminal trial. He was later found liable for the deaths in a civil suit brought by the families of the two victims.
After murder[link]
In 1996, after the conclusion of the Orenthal James Simpson murder case, a judge granted Simpson's petition to give him full custody of the children.[9] Brown's parents continued unsuccessfully to fight for custody of Sydney and Justin.
In 1994, Nicole Brown's sister Denise established The Nicole Brown Charitable Foundation to help victims of domestic violence.[10]
See also[link]
References[link]
- ^ Bailey, F. Lee; Rabe, Jean (2008). When the Husband is the Suspect. Macmillan. p. 96. ISBN 0-7653-1613-7.
- ^ Taylor Gibbs, Jewelle (1996). Race and Justice: Rodney King and O. J. Simpson in a House Divided. Jossey-Bass. pp. 126–28. ISBN 0-7879-0264-0.
- ^ Lange, Tom; Moldea, Dan E.; Vannatter, Philip (1997). Evidence Dismissed: The Inside Story of the Police Investigation of O. J. Simpson. Pocket Books. p. 115. ISBN 0-671-00959-1.
- ^ "Child custody decision". courttv.com. http://www.courttv.com/casefiles/simpson/new_docs/custody.html. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
- ^ "Judge Allow Evidence of Domestic Violence In O. J. Simpson Murder Case". Jet 87 (13): 51. 1995-02-06. ISSN 0021-5996.
- ^ Taylor Gibbs, Jewelle (1996). Race and Justice: Rodney King and O. J. Simpson in a House Divided. Jossey-Bass. p. 136. ISBN 0-7879-0264-0.
- ^ If I Did It
- ^ Wolcott, James. "James Wolcott reviews O.J. Simpson's "If I Did It" | Culture". Vanity Fair. http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/01/ojsimpson200701. Retrieved 2012-05-19.
- ^ Goldberg, Carey (1996-12-26). "Simpson Wins Custody Fight For 2 Children by Slain Wife". The New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C03E1D81531F932A15751C1A960958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
- ^ Reza, H.G. (1999-11-04). "The Brown Foundation Cuts Back on Giving". The Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/1999/nov/04/local/me-29996. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
External links[link]
- Court TV's complete coverage of the O. J. Simpson murder case
- Nicole Brown Simpson at the Internet Movie Database
- Nicole Brown Foundation
- Nicole Brown Simpson at Find a Grave
|
|||||||||||||||||
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Simpson, Nicole Brown |
| Alternative names | Brown, Nicole |
| Short description | Murder victim |
| Date of birth | May 19, 1959 |
| Place of birth | Frankfurt, Germany |
| Date of death | June 12, 1994 |
| Place of death | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
http://wn.com/Nicole_Brown_Simpson
Related pages:
http://ru.wn.com/Браун-Симпсон, Николь
http://fr.wn.com/Nicole Brown Simpson
http://pt.wn.com/Nicole Brown Simpson
http://de.wn.com/Nicole Brown Simpson
http://id.wn.com/Nicole Brown Simpson
http://es.wn.com/Nicole Brown Simpson
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicole_Brown_Simpson
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
Menu
Playlist
Film Summary
More Videos
close all
open all
