Mike Quick  2010

     Mike Quick was born in Hamlet, North Carolina, the youngest boy of Mary Quick’s nine children. A gifted athlete, he excelled at football, basketball and track at Richmond Senior High School in Richmond County, NC and earned a football scholarship to North Carolina State.      The first round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1982 draft, Quick spent his entire NFL career – nine seasons – with the Eagles. Over five consecutive seasons (1983-87), he caught more touchdown passes (53) than any other NFL player; was ranked third in yardage and voted to the Pro Bowl five times. Retired since 1991, Quick is a color analyst for Eagles radio, an avid golfer and active in the community. He is the father of 18-year-old twin sons. [more...]

Wray Carlton  2012

Wray Carlton played his last football game in 1968 [more...]

Henry Trevathan  2012

Henry “Blacky” Trevathan is an inspirational and highly disciplined leader whose legacy as a legendary football coach cements a remarkable influence on the game and the players he coached. [more...]

Don McCauley  2010

      North Carolina’s Don McCauley led the ACC in rushing in 1969 and 1970 and was the league’s Player of the Year both seasons.
      As a senior in 1970 he ran for 1,720 yards, breaking the NCAA single-season record. He led the nation in all-purpose running, touchdowns and points. He became the first ACC running back to be named a consensus All-America.
      He saved his greatest performance for his last game in Kenan Stadium, rushing for 279 yards and scoring five touchdowns in a 59-34 win over Duke.
      McCauley is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. He was an easy choice for the ACC’s Silver Anniversary team.
      He was a first-round NFL draft choice and had an 11-year career with the Baltimore Colts.
[more...]

Ricky Proehl  2011

Ricky Proehl is the owner of Proehlific Park, a family sports complex in Greensboro, NC. The complex for families is a way for Ricky to have a positive influence on the lives of young men and women.  Ricky is likely best known for all of his achievements in football.  He is a Wake Forest graduate and still holds the school’s records for receiving yards and touchdowns.  After college Ricky played 17 years in the NFL.  One of his most memorable moments was catching the winning touchdown at the NFC championship game sending the Rams to Super Bowl XXXIV.  Proehl played in 4 Super Bowls winning two; one with the Rams and the other with the Colts.  Ricky Proehl was born in the Bronx, NY. [more...]

Jim Donnan  2010

      One of North Carolina’s most celebrated athletes, Jim Donnan’s youth was spent in Asheville and Burlington where he excelled on the state level in football, basketball, tennis and table tennis. His stellar career at N.C. State brought many honors: ACC Player-of-the-Year, 1967 Liberty Bowl MVP, H.C. Kennett Outstanding Student-Athlete Award, and ACC All-Academic Team in 1966-67.  Donnan was inducted into the Alamance Hall of Fame in 2008.       After working in several collegiate programs including Oklahoma, Donnan became head coach in 1990 for Marshall winning the 1992 national title and the 1994 Southern Conference Championship.  As Head Coach at Georgia from 1995-2000, he is credited for bringing the Bulldogs back to the upper echelon of the SEC.      Donnan received numerous career coaching honors: Division I-AA Coach of the Year in 1992 and 1995, and SEC Coach of the Year in 1997, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2009.  He continues to contribute to the game as a sought-after radio and television commentator. [more...]

* Dennis Byrd  2007

 The Lincolnton native was the dominant NC State defensive lineman from 1965-67 and the Wolfpack’s first consensus football All-America (1967).   Byrd was the first three-time All-ACC player and NC State retired his #77 jersey in 2002.  He was a 1968 first round draft pick of Boston Patriots, but injuries forced early retirement.  Byrd was also named to ACC’s 50th Anniversary team in 2003.  Byrd died July 23, 2010 and will be inducted posthumously into the College Football Hall of Fame in December. [more...]

Claude “Hoot” Gibson  2007

  He played in 4 post-season all-star games.  He played in the AFL with San Diego and led the league in interceptions in 1962.  With Oakland he led the AFL in punt returns in ’63 and ’64.  His college coaching career started with NC State in 1967 as defensive backs coach; three years as head coach at Tulsa; and 10 years as head coach at Mars Hill College. [more...]

Dee Hardison  2007

Hardison, a Newton Grove native, was the first UNC defensive player who was not a two-way performer to earn 1st team All-America honors. In 1977 he led the Tar Heels to the number one scoring defense ranking (7.4 ppg), allowing just 10 TD’s in eleven games.  Hardison started every game during his three year UNC career.  He had a 10-year career in the NFL with Bills, Giants, Chargers, and Chiefs. [more...]

Leo Hart  2008

Leo Hart was a standout quarterback for Duke University, 1968-70.  The Kinston native passed for 6,116 yards in his Duke career.  In 1968 Hart became the first player in ACC history to pass for 2,000 yards in a season.  Hart is the only quarterback to be voted first-team All-ACC three times, the only player to lead the ACC in passing yardage three seasons, and the only player to lead the ACC in total offense three seasons.   Following a brief career in the NFL, Hart settled in Atlanta, where he became a successful businessman. [more...]

Ken Huff  2008

In 1974 Huff was a 1st Team All-ACC and Consensus All-American Offensive Lineman at UNC.  He won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, Jim Tatum Medal, two time recipient of the Bill Arnold Award, Captain of the College All-Stars and came in 2nd for the Outland Trophy Award.  Huff lead UNC to an 11-1 Atlantic Coast Conference championship and set school total offense records. In 1975 he earned a degree in Psychology and was the 3rd pick in the first round of the NFL draft.  Huff played 11 years in the NFL and was one of the “Hogs” with the Redskins in the 1983 Super Bowl. [more...]

Willie Burden  2009

Willie Burden is a product of Raleigh’s Enloe High School and North Carolina State. As a star running back for the Wolfpack, he became one of the school’s leading ground gainers in history and was named ACC Player of the Year in 1973.  Turning down draft opportunities with both the Detroit Lions and the Portland Storm of the defunct World Football League, Burden took his talents to Canada and became one of the CFL’s all-time football stars. He carried the ball for 6,234 yards in his career with the Calgary Stampeders, including 1896 in 1975 when he became the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player. He has been chosen as one of the league’s 50 greatest stars and is a member of the CFL’s Hall of Fame. [more...]

* Bob Bartholomew  2006

Bartholomew excelled on the football fields from Rocky Mount to Canada before a knee injury ended his playing career in 1956.  He earned All-State honors at Rocky Mount High School and was a three-time All-ACC selection at Wake Forest.  The Deacons’ captain was named a first team All-America in 1954.  He returned to Wake Forest in 1969 and served 16 years as the Executive Director of the Deacon Club.  Bartholomew died in 1984. [more...]

* Jim Staton  1992

All-America tackle at Wake Forest. Drafted by Washington Redskins, played one season in NFL, then moved to Canadian League and made All-Pro five times and led Montreal to 3 Division titles and Grey Cup berths. [more...]

* Eddie Sutton  1999

Averaged 6.9 yards per carry in three years at University of North Carolina. Was a basketball, baseball, and swimming star at Cullowhee High School. Played 5 years with Washington Redskins. Received the NFL’s Alumni Career Achievement Award in 1999. [more...]

Art Weiner  1973

All-America end at UNC-Chapel Hill 1946-49, which became known as the Justice-Weiner era. Matched NCAA record (at the time) with 52 receptions in 1949. Helped lead UNC to three major bowls. Member College Football HOF. [more...]

Doug Wilkerson  2002

Fayetteville native had outstanding football career at E.E. Smith High, NC Central, and 14 years with San Diego. Chargers lineman of the year 7 times and played in 3 NFL Pro-Bowls. [more...]

Jethro Pugh  1980

Played 14 seasons with Dallas Cowboys and was charter member of the famed “Doomsday Defense.” Played in four Super Bowls and a total of 23 playoff games, more than any other player in NFL history to that point. Played college football at Elizabeth City State. [more...]

Jerry Richardson  2000

Brought the NFL to North Carolina in 1993 as owner of the Carolina Panthers. Spring Hope native was a football star at Fayetteville High School and Wofford College. Caught a TD pass for Baltimore in 1959 NFL championship game. [more...]

Jim Ritcher  1999

NC State football All-America in 1978 and 1979. Won Outland Trophy in ’79 as nation’s best offensive lineman. Had 14-year NFL career at Buffalo and played in 4 Super Bowls. Was all-pro three times. Member National Football Hall of Fame (1998). [more...]

Charlie Sanders  1997

Played high school football in Greensboro and earned All-America honors at Minnesota. Was one of the premier ends in NFL with the Detroit Lions for 10 years, during which time he caught 336 passes, including 31 for touchdowns. [more...]

* Fred Crawford  1964

One of the all-time great football players to play at Duke and the first native North Carolinian to earn All-America honors. Played tackle and end for the Blue Devils, 1931-33. Later played two years of pro ball with the Chicago Bears. [more...]

* George McAfee  1967

Leading scorer and MVP on 1939 Duke football team. Went on to become an immediate pro star in the NFL. A first-round draft choice by the Chicago Bears, he returned a kickoff 93 for TD in his first pro game. Member both College and Pro HOF. [more...]

Carlester Crumpler  2002

Wilson native who led Fike High School to three consecutive 4A football titles (1967-69). Scored 4 TDs in 1967 championship game and 237 yards rushing in 1969 win. Fullback at East Carolina with 37 TD’s and 2,889 yards rushing in three years. [more...]

* Jack McDowell  1965

One of N.C. State’s greatest athletes, earning 16 letters during his college career. Captained both the 1928 football and basketball teams. Enjoyed a successful tenure as a coach and athletic director at Rollins. [more...]

* George Barclay  1976

Standout guard and linebacker at UNC-Chapel Hill and the first Tar Heel named to an All-America football team, 1934. Later served as head coach at Washington & Lee before returning as head coach at UNC in 1953. [more...]

* Tom Davis  1988

A first-team All-Southern Conference selection for three years as a Duke running back. Leading Duke rusher in 1942 Rose Bowl game and the MVP in Duke’s win over Alabama in the 1945 Sugar Bowl. Also starred as Blue Devil baseball player. [more...]

Mike McGee  1991

Duke All-America tackle and winner of the 1959 Outland Trophy as the country’s top interior lineman. Played professionally for the St. Louis Cardinals, 1960-62. Head coach at both Duke & East Carolina. AD at Cincinnati, Southern Cal and South Carolina. [more...]

* Frank Barger  1993

Outstanding football player at Lenoir Rhyne. Had successful career as football coach at Hickory High, posting a 273-120-5 record, including 12 conference titles, during a 31-year tenure. NCHSAA HOF member. [more...]

* Jim Duncan  1993

All-Southern Conference selection at Wake Forest before pro career with New York Giants. Served six years as coach of Calgary in Canadian Football League. Coached team to Grey Cup title in 1971. Member Wake Forest Sports HOF. [more...]

* John “Red” O’Quinn  1982

Set single- season school records for pass receptions and TD catches at Wake Forest. Played two seasons in NFL, eight in Canadian League, as a star receiver with Montreal Alouettes. Ottawa and Montreal won four Grey Cup titles while he was general manager. [more...]

Bobby Bell  1987

Shelby native and a two-time All-America football player at University of Minnesota. Won Outland Trophy. Nine times All-Pro with Kansas City Chiefs. Played in two Super Bowls. Elected to NFL HOF in 1983 and College Football HOF in 1992. [more...]

Carl Eller  1991

Winston-Salem native who gained All-America football honors at Minnesota. Played 16 seasons in the NFL, missing only one of 197 games. Made four Super Bowl appearances with Minnesota Vikings. Was a defensive end on four All-Pro teams. [more...]

Clarence “Ace” Parker  1963

All-America back at Duke (1934-46). NFL Most Valuable Player with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1940, member College Football Hall of Fame. Also played shortstop for Philadelphia Athletics, coached Duke baseball team and managed in minor leagues. [more...]

Elvin Bethea  2005

In 2003 Bethea became the first player from North Carolina A&T State University to be inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The 3-time Aggies All-America was drafted by Houston. Bethea played in 210 games during his long career in Houston, including a stretch of 135 consecutive. He started at defensive end in the 1968 season opener and didn’t miss a game until breaking his arm in a game against the Oakland Raiders in 1977. He led the team in sacks six times, finishing his career with 105 unofficial sacks. He played in the two AFC Championship games. [more...]

Roman Gabriel  1971

Three-sports star at Wilmington’s New Hanover High. Consensus All-American quarterback at N.C. State 1960 & 1961. Twice ACC Player-of-Year. Had 17-year NFL career with LA Rams and Eagles. NFL MVP in 1969. Member College Football HOF. [more...]

* Pat Preston  1980

All-America tackle at Duke in 1943. Also played at Wake Forest and later served as Wake Forest athletics director. Played with Chicago Bears four years, including one NFL championship season and three second-place finishes. [more...]

Ted Brown  1995

High Point native and one of the most productive runners in N.C. State and ACC history, rushing for 4,602 yards and scoring 51 touchdowns. Chosen first team All-ACC four straight years. First-round NFL draft choice in 1979 and played 8 seasons with Minnesota Vikings. [more...]

* Dan Hill Jr.  1972

Captain and center for the 1938 unbeaten-untied-unscored on Duke Blue Devils until 7-3 loss to Southern Cal in Rose Bowl. Named to National Football HOF. Served as assistant AD at Duke until resigning in 1953 to enter private business. [more...]

* Jimmy Clack  2004

Jimmy Clack was an outstanding high school athlete in Rocky Mount in the 1960s. He made the Shrine Bowl football team and later won the Bill George Award as the ACC’s best blocker during his career at Wake Forest.  Clack was an offensive lineman on two Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl teams (IX and X).  He played in 146 NFL games between 1971-1981. Died April 7, 2006 in Greensboro after a long battle with cancer. [more...]

Sonny Jurgensen  1971

A three-sport athlete at Wilmington’s New Hanover High, and later a quarterback & defensive back at Duke. Led Blue Devils to two ACC titles and a spot in 1954 Orange Bowl. A NFL legend with stops at Philadelphia & Washington. In NFL HOF [more...]

Dwight Clark  1997

Kinston native who starred in football at Clemson. Spent eight years with San Francisco 49ers where he had 50+ receptions over seven consecutive years. Sports Illustrated Player-of-the-Year in 1986. Former Vice-President of Football Operations with 49ers. [more...]

* Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice  1963

Asheville native became one of the most exciting football players in the State’s history. Led UNC-Chapel Hill to two Sugar Bowls and one Cotton Bowl. Played four seasons with Washington Redskins. Member College Football HOF. [more...]

George Clark  2004

During a football game in against Bogue Field’s military team, Duke’s George Clark suffered two fractured bones in his back. But two weeks later he was back at tailback, cracking through Wake Forest’s defense for a then school record 214 yards rushing and helping spark a 26-19 Blue Devils victory. [more...]

* Johnny Mackorell  1980

Davidson College football great during the early 1930s where he earned All-America honors. Later served as coach and athletic director at Lees McRae College following one season in the NFL with the New York Giants. [more...]

Billy Cox  1989

The Mount Airy native accounted for 3,710 yards of offense as a single wing tailback at Duke from 1948-50. Two-time selection to All-Southern Conference team. Played three years with the Washington Redskins before retiring in 1955. [more...]

* Bob Matheson  1998

Linebacker on Miami Dolphins 1972 and 1973 Super Bowl champions. Boone native was running back at Duke before moving to linebacker. All-ACC in 1965 and 1966. Miami’s famed “53 defense” was named for his jersey number. [more...]

* John Baker, Jr.  1972

Raleigh native who played football at North Carolina College before embarking on standout pro career. Was drafted by Los Angeles Rams before moving to Pittsburgh and later to Detroit. Was defensive end and MVP with the Steelers.  [more...]

Steve Jones  2006

The Sanford native played football for two NC Sports Hall of Fame coaches, Paul Gay and Mike McGee.  As a running back for Gay, Jones led Sanford High School to three straight 3-A state co-championships, while winning 36 of 39 games.  In 1968 season he rushed for 1,800 yards and scored 28 touchdowns.  For coach McGee at Duke, Jones earned 3rd team All-America honors and was named ACC Football player of the year in 1972.  Jones also played six years in NFL with Buffalo and St. Louis. [more...]