Hall of Fame
Partner on one of college football's greatest all-time pass-catch duos. Teamed with College Football Hall of Fame QB George Bork to push Northern Illinois into national spotlight, two bowl games, and NAIA/AP College Division crown. Repeat Little All-America and First-Team All-IIAC pick. Won back-to-back NCAA College Division receiving titles (76 catches for 795 yards and five TDs in 1962 and 75 for 1,036 yards and 14 TDs in 1963). Played with Bork and made five catches for 128 yards?including 69-yard long-gainer?on ABC-TV "Wide World of Sports" telecast of North-South Shrine Game in Orange Bowl (1963). Named Most Valuable Lineman and caught 10 passes for 207 yards vs. Southwest Conference All-Stars in Challenge Bowl in Corpus Christi (TX) (1963). Set (then) NCAA College Division records for career catches (183) and TD grabs (19), plus six major NIU marks. Named Second-Team AP and NAIA Little All-America (1962), plus Second-Team NAIA and Third-Team AP Little All-America (1963). Signed with CFL Montreal Alouettes (1964-65). Two-time HOF pick. Made All-Century in football and finished in Top 10 player voting (1999). Caught three of longest passes in NIU history (75, 74, and 66 yards). Started on 10-0-0 IIAC and Mineral Water Bowl champs for HOF coach Howard Fletcher (1963). Lettered in football (4) and basketball (3). Scored 244 career cage points in 47 games. Averaged 8.6 ppg. and 8.1 rbpg. as soph. Won 12 letters in three sports at Burlington Central High. All-State gridder (Deceased).
