Hall of Fame
Premier Northern Illinois O-line Performer of Decade at 6-foot-3, 264 pounds (1970s). Initial Huskie gridder honored on First-Team All-Mid-American Conference Team at two positions (center in 1978 and offensive tackle in 1979). Selected on First-Team All-Century squad for NIU Centennial (1999). Voted on All-Time Huskie Stadium Team at two positionsÑC / OT (1995). Three-year regular for head coach Pat Culpepper. Earned three varsity letters in football (1977-79). No. 1 blocker on balanced Northern Illinois offense with 1,000-yard rusher (TB Allen Ross with 1,033 yards), 1,0001,000-yard receiver (SE Dave Petzke with 1,215 yards) as junior (1978). Named team co-captain and Honorable Mention Associated Press All-America in final campaign (1979). Tabbed Northern Illinois Offensive Lineman of Year twice (1978-79). Picked in eighth round of NFL draft by Chicago Bears (215th player). Signed as free agent with St. Louis Cardinals (1980). Played eight seasons in NFL (91 games and 55 starts with St Louis during 1980-86, plus three contests and three starts with Altanta Falcons in 1987). Started 54 consecutive games at center for St. Louis (1983-86). Made Second-Team Newspaper Enterprise Association All-NFL (1984). Doubled as long snapper on punts and placements (1981-86). Finished career in New York Jets camp (1988). Worked NFL charities such as March of Times, Cystic Fibrosis, and Muscular Dystrophy. Mount Prospect native and Prospect High School gridiron all-star.
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