Hall of Fame
Mr. Intangible. All-Pro NFL special teams performer. Heart and soul of Hall of Fame Northern Illinois football squad for HOF head coach Bill Mallory (1983). Quarterbacked Huskies to 10-2 record, first MAC grid title, Top 30 AP poll finish, and 20-13 Cal Bowl III triumph vs. Cal State Fullerton as senior. Named team MVP and school's first Jefferson Trophy recipient as MAC's "most outstanding player" on grid unit that ultimately produced seven NFL draftees, eight All-Americas, and 19 pro players (1983). Earned Second-Team All-MAC honors as senior. All-purpose QB who ranked No. 6 in league total offense (1,799 yards), No. 6 in loop passing (91-of-189 passes for 1,260 yards and eight TDs), and No. 9 in MAC rushing (539 yards and seven TDs) in Championship Season. Voted MAC Player of Week for career-high 226 air yards on 9-of-13 vs. Western Michigan (Oct. 8, 1983). Rallied NIU from 20-0 halftime deficit with 43 and one-yard TD runs, plus 144 rushing yards in second half in 24-23 Homecoming win vs. defending Mid-Am champ Bowling Green State (Oct. 22, 1983). Hit 10-of-18 aerials for 119 yards on ESPN Cal Bowl telecast (Dec. 17, 1983). First player from Cal Bowl unit enshrined into NIU HOF. Selected NFC's No. 2 special teams man in NFL-USA Today players' survey (1985). Named NFL Pro Bowl first alternate (1987-88). Free agent RB with Atlanta Falcons (1984-86), Los Angeles Rams (1986-88), Pittsburgh Steelers (1989), and Buffalo Bills (1990). Tabbed Special Teams POY by Rams (1987). Played in 66 career NFL games. Inducted into NJCAA HOF (1995). Transfer from Harper (IL) College. Ex-HB at Conant High (1975-79).
