Wilber Marshall Inducted Into College Football Hall of Fame
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 | Football
Two-time consensus All-American and 1983 National Defensive Player of the Year Wilber Marshall was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as part of the 51st National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame Annual Awards Dinner held at the Waldorf-Astoria on Tuesday night.
"I would like to thank you for letting me be part of this," Marshall said. "I lost my voice today, but I am so thankful to make this group on behalf of my teammates and coaches. We had some great teams at Florida and were part of getting that great tradition going again. These gentlemen on the podium with me today represent all the great things about college football."
Marshall, who played linebacker for the Gators from 1980-83, was one of 13 players and two coaches who were selected to the prestigious class. He will be formerly inducted at the College Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival, July 18-19, 2009, in South Bend, Ind.
Marshall was the fifth Florida player to be enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame, joining end Dale Van Sickel (1927-29), quarterback Steve Spurrier (1964-66), defensive end Jack Youngblood (1968-70) and running back Emmitt Smith (1987-89). Three Florida head coaches are members of the Hall of Fame, including Charles Bachman (1928-32), Ray Graves (1960-69) and Doug Dickey (1970-78).
Marshall became the third Florida player and/or coach to be enshrined into the Hall of Fame in the past six years. Florida is tied for second in the nation in the number of Hall of Fame inductees since 2003.
Marshall, originally from Titusville, Fla., was a consensus first-team All-American in 1982 and 1983 and also earned Honorable Mention All-America honors in 1981. ABC Television selected him as the National Defensive Player of the Year in 1983, and he was a finalist for the Lombardi Award in both his junior and senior seasons.
One of his most memorable games as a Gator occurred in a 17-9 upset win over Southern Cal on Sept. 11, 1982, when he made 14 tackles and collected four sacks on his way to Sports Illustrated and Associated Press Defensive Player of the Week recognition. Marshall finished his career with 343 tackles (210 solo), including a school-record 23 quarterback sacks. He was selected in 1999 as The Gainesville Sun's Defensive Player of the Century.
Marshall still holds Florida records in career total tackles for loss (58) and total tackles for loss in a season (27). Prior to last year's Florida-Auburn game, he was inducted into the University of Florida Football's Ring of Honor.
Marshall was a first-round draft pick by the Chicago Bears in 1984 and enjoyed a 12-year career in the NFL. He was a three-time All-Pro selection (1986, '87 and '92) and also earned a pair of Super Bowl rings with Chicago and Washington.
In the 1985 season, Marshall was part of a Bears' defensive unit which allowed the fewest yards, rushing yards and points per game in the NFL. Chicago notched two playoff shutouts and allowed only 10 points in three postseason games as they knocked off the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX.
Marshall won another championship ring with the Redskins in the 1991 season, when they handled the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVI. In the NFC Championship Game that season, he sacked Detroit Lions' quarterback Erik Kramer three times in the Redskins' 41-10 victory.
During his dozen NFL seasons, Marshall recorded 45 sacks and intercepted 23 passes, which he returned for 304 yards and three touchdowns. He also recovered 16 fumbles, returning them for 70 yards and one touchdown. Marshall is among the few players who have recorded 20 sacks and 20 interceptions in their career.
2008 College Football Hall of Fame inductees included Troy Aikman of UCLA, Dr. Billy Cannon of LSU, Jim Dombrowski of Virginia, Pat Fitzgerald of Northwestern, Rueben Mayes of Washington State, Randall McDaniel of Arizona State, Don McPherson of Syracuse, Jay Novacek of Wyoming, Dave Parks of Texas Tech, Ron Simmons of Florida State, Thurman Thomas of Oklahoma State; Arnold Tucker of Army, and coaches John Cooper (Tulsa, Arizona State and Ohio State) and Lou Holtz (William & Mary, NC State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame, and South Carolina).
Major award winners included U.S. Senator John Glenn, accepting the NFF Gold Medal as an outstanding American who has demonstrated integrity and honesty, achieved significant career success; T. Boone Pickens, who claimed the NFF Distinguished American Award, which is presented on special occasions when a truly deserving individual emerges; Collegiate Licensing Co. and former Tennessee football coach Bill Battle earned recognition as the recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Award; and Ohio State's Gene Smith took home the The John L. Toner Award, given annually to a director of athletics who has demonstrated superior administrative abilities. The Outstanding College Football Official Award for 2008 was presented to Thomas Robinson of the Western Athletic and Mountain West Conferences, and Bob Curtis of Idaho and the late Dick Galiette of Yale were recognized as the co-recipients of the NFF Chris Schenkel Broadcaster of the Year Award.
Longtime National Football Foundation allies and retiring commissioners Tom Hansen of the Pacific-10 Conference, Jeffrey Orleans of the Ivy League and Mike Tranghese of the Big East Conference were honored with NFF Legacy Awards for their service to college athletics, especially football.
California center Alex Mack received the coveted 19th Draddy Award, known as the "academic" Heisman for college seniors, among a sterling 15-person field of National Scholar-Athletes. The All-Pacific-10 Conference center and starter for the Emerald Bowl-destined Golden Bears became the first Pac-10 scholar to claim the trophy. He already has graduated with a bachelor's degree and is working towards a master's degree in business
National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame
University of Florida All-Time Honorees
Players, Position Years Lettered Year Inducted
Dale Van Sickel, E 1927-29 1975
Steve Spurrier, QB 1964-66 1986
Jack Youngblood, DE 1968-70 1992
Emmitt Smith, RB 1987-89 2006
Wilber Marshall, LB 1980-83 2008
Head Coaches Years At Florida Year Inducted
Charles Bachman 1928-32 1978
Ray Graves 1960-69 1990
Doug Dickey 1970-78 2003
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