By Darin 
November 8, 1964 – Red Bluff, California – The safety from the University of Arizona, Chuck Cecil, was born. Cecil attended Arizona, where he was a walk-on for the football program.
Chuck was a player on a mission, with a bit of a chip on his shoulder, after no one offered him a scholarship to play Division 1 football out of high school. He proved the recruiters wrong by eventually earning consensus All-America and Pacific-10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors after his nine-interception senior season in 1987.
He held the Pac-10 record for career interceptions, with 21 when he completed his collegiate career. The National Football Foundation inducted Chuck Cecil into their College Football Hall of Fame in 2009. The NFF states that Chuck was drafted in the fourth round of the 1988 draft by the Green Bay Packers. Cecil spent seven seasons in the NFL with the Packers, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Houston Oilers. Cecil was also the assistant coach for safeties and nickel backs for the Tennessee Titans.
Football Accolades and Accomplishments
- Walk-On Success: Began his collegiate career at the University of Arizona without a scholarship offer, eventually earning his spot.
- 1987 Consensus All-American: Earned this prestigious honor during his senior season.
- 1987 Pacific-10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year: Voted the conference’s top defensive player after his senior season.
- Pac-10 Career Interceptions Record: Completed his collegiate career holding the Pac-10 record with 21 career interceptions.
- Drafted by Green Bay Packers: Selected in the fourth round of the 1988 NFL Draft.
- NFL Career: Spent seven seasons in the NFL with the Packers, Arizona Cardinals, and Houston Oilers.
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted by the National Football Foundation (NFF) in 2009.
- Past Role: Served as an assistant coach for safeties and nickel backs for the Tennessee Titans.