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Jim Martin a Notre Dame Legend
A bio of the legendary College Football Hall of Fame Place kicker Jim Martin. Born April 8, 1924, in Cleveland, Ohio, was Notre Dame’s position flexible end and tackle Jim Martin. Jim started college at a bit later age than most after serving military duty in the War, so as a twenty-two year old stepping on campus as a frosh but he hit the ground running on the gridiron starting all four seasons and even becoming a team co-captain with Leon Hart in his senior season.
During that time period with Martin on the team the Fighting Irish never saw a defeat as they amassed a record of 36-0-2 according to the National Football Foundation. He was an end in his first three years, Notre Dame faced a shortage at tackle going into 1949, and Martin volunteered to change positions. He played tackle in 1949 and was on the AP, INS, and NEA All-America teams.
The well rounded athlete also participated in boxing and swimming at the school earning the 1950 George Gipp Award as Notre Dame's outstanding athlete. Jim Martin was honored with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995 after the National Football Foundation tallied their votes. Jim served on the US Marines during WWII as part of an amphibious assault team. Jim played 14 years in the National Football League with Cleveland in 1950, Detroit in 1951-61, Baltimore in 1963, and Washington in 1964. Spending the 1962 season as assistant coach at Denver. He starred as linebacker and place kicker.
For his pro career he had 56 field goals, including 15 in the 1961 season with Detroit. He later served as a football coach in the NFL, WFL and the college ranks.
During that time period with Martin on the team the Fighting Irish never saw a defeat as they amassed a record of 36-0-2 according to the National Football Foundation. He was an end in his first three years, Notre Dame faced a shortage at tackle going into 1949, and Martin volunteered to change positions. He played tackle in 1949 and was on the AP, INS, and NEA All-America teams.
The well rounded athlete also participated in boxing and swimming at the school earning the 1950 George Gipp Award as Notre Dame's outstanding athlete. Jim Martin was honored with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995 after the National Football Foundation tallied their votes. Jim served on the US Marines during WWII as part of an amphibious assault team. Jim played 14 years in the National Football League with Cleveland in 1950, Detroit in 1951-61, Baltimore in 1963, and Washington in 1964. Spending the 1962 season as assistant coach at Denver. He starred as linebacker and place kicker.
For his pro career he had 56 field goals, including 15 in the 1961 season with Detroit. He later served as a football coach in the NFL, WFL and the college ranks.
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Ricky Bell Outstanding USC Trojan Back
The life and career bio of College Football Hall of Fame Running Back Ricky Bell. Born April 8, 1955, in Houston, Texas, was Southern Cal’s stellar running back Ricky Bell. Bell had some true perseverance to become a gridiron star and his versatility paid off huge.
Ricky originally reported to USC as a linebacker when he was a freshman. The coaching staff, noticing offensive potential flipped him over to the offensive team and used him as a fullback to block for Anthony Davis. By the time his junior season came around Ricky was the Bell Cow back, no pun intended, for the Trojans.
According to the National Football Foundation, in 1975 he led the nation in rushing with 1,875 yards, became a unanimous All-American, and placed third in the Heisman voting. In the postseason, he was named MVP of the Liberty Bowl. The following season, during his senior year, Bell placed second in the Heisman balloting and repeated as a unanimous All-America selection. Bell set a single game school record with 51 carries and 347 yards against Washington State and went over 100 yards on the ground in 16 different games of his collegiate career. Ricky Bell received the great honor of being selected for inclusion into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003.
At the 1977 NFL Draft the Tampa Bay Buccaneers used the number one overall pick to claim Ricky for the franchise. He played six seasons for the Bucs and then tragically passed away due to cardiac arrest caused by a rare skin disease.
Ricky originally reported to USC as a linebacker when he was a freshman. The coaching staff, noticing offensive potential flipped him over to the offensive team and used him as a fullback to block for Anthony Davis. By the time his junior season came around Ricky was the Bell Cow back, no pun intended, for the Trojans.
According to the National Football Foundation, in 1975 he led the nation in rushing with 1,875 yards, became a unanimous All-American, and placed third in the Heisman voting. In the postseason, he was named MVP of the Liberty Bowl. The following season, during his senior year, Bell placed second in the Heisman balloting and repeated as a unanimous All-America selection. Bell set a single game school record with 51 carries and 347 yards against Washington State and went over 100 yards on the ground in 16 different games of his collegiate career. Ricky Bell received the great honor of being selected for inclusion into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003.
At the 1977 NFL Draft the Tampa Bay Buccaneers used the number one overall pick to claim Ricky for the franchise. He played six seasons for the Bucs and then tragically passed away due to cardiac arrest caused by a rare skin disease.
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Anthony Thompson Hard Running Hoosier Hall of Famer
April 8, 1967, in Terre Haute, Indiana, marked the birth of Anthony Thompson, a running back whose tenacity and talent would leave an indelible mark on Indiana University football and beyond. Even legendary Iowa coach Hayden Fry recognized his exceptional abilities: "Anthony Thompson is by far the best running back we’ve seen in years and years and years."
-College Career:
Thompson's career at Indiana University was nothing short of spectacular. Despite a delayed start to his freshman season in 1986 due to a deep thigh bruise that kept him out of the first six weeks of practice, he burst onto the scene in his first start in week eight, setting a Big Ten freshman rushing record with 207 yards. He continued his impressive performance in his sophomore year, surpassing 100 rushing yards in five games. His junior season in 1988 saw him achieve consensus All-American honors and finish ninth in the Heisman Trophy voting, while ranking third nationally in rushing and second in scoring with 24 touchdowns. Thompson also proved to be a versatile threat, showcasing his ability to catch passes out of the backfield. His senior campaign in 1989 was truly remarkable. He narrowly missed winning the Heisman Trophy in a historically close vote but secured the Maxwell and Camp Awards, recognizing him as the nation's top player. That year, he led the nation in both rushing and scoring and ranked fourth in all-purpose yardage. By the end of his collegiate career, Thompson held the all-time Division I record for touchdowns. Indiana University now honors its most valuable player with the Anthony Thompson MVP Award.
-Road to the Pro Game:
While the provided information doesn't explicitly detail Thompson's professional career, his dominant college performance undoubtedly made him a highly sought-after prospect for the NFL. Further research would be needed to specify the professional teams he played for and the details of his NFL career.
-Football Legacy:
Anthony Thompson's legacy extends far beyond his impressive statistics. He is remembered as a powerful and determined runner who consistently defied expectations. His record-breaking performances and numerous accolades cemented his place as one of the greatest players in Indiana University football history. The fact that the university's MVP award bears his name speaks volumes about the impact he had on the program. His induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2007 further solidified his national recognition and lasting impact on the sport.
-Accolades, Awards and Career Stats:
-Big Ten Freshman Rushing Record (207 yards)
-Consensus All-American (1988)
-Heisman Trophy Finalist (1989)
-Maxwell Award (1989)
-Camp Award (1989)
-Led NCAA in Rushing (1989)
-Led NCAA in Scoring (1989)
-Fourth in NCAA All-Purpose Yardage (1989)
-All-Time Division I Record for Touchdowns (at the end of his college career)
-Indiana University MVP Award is named in his honor
-College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2007)
-College Career:
Thompson's career at Indiana University was nothing short of spectacular. Despite a delayed start to his freshman season in 1986 due to a deep thigh bruise that kept him out of the first six weeks of practice, he burst onto the scene in his first start in week eight, setting a Big Ten freshman rushing record with 207 yards. He continued his impressive performance in his sophomore year, surpassing 100 rushing yards in five games. His junior season in 1988 saw him achieve consensus All-American honors and finish ninth in the Heisman Trophy voting, while ranking third nationally in rushing and second in scoring with 24 touchdowns. Thompson also proved to be a versatile threat, showcasing his ability to catch passes out of the backfield. His senior campaign in 1989 was truly remarkable. He narrowly missed winning the Heisman Trophy in a historically close vote but secured the Maxwell and Camp Awards, recognizing him as the nation's top player. That year, he led the nation in both rushing and scoring and ranked fourth in all-purpose yardage. By the end of his collegiate career, Thompson held the all-time Division I record for touchdowns. Indiana University now honors its most valuable player with the Anthony Thompson MVP Award.
-Road to the Pro Game:
While the provided information doesn't explicitly detail Thompson's professional career, his dominant college performance undoubtedly made him a highly sought-after prospect for the NFL. Further research would be needed to specify the professional teams he played for and the details of his NFL career.
-Football Legacy:
Anthony Thompson's legacy extends far beyond his impressive statistics. He is remembered as a powerful and determined runner who consistently defied expectations. His record-breaking performances and numerous accolades cemented his place as one of the greatest players in Indiana University football history. The fact that the university's MVP award bears his name speaks volumes about the impact he had on the program. His induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2007 further solidified his national recognition and lasting impact on the sport.
-Accolades, Awards and Career Stats:
-Big Ten Freshman Rushing Record (207 yards)
-Consensus All-American (1988)
-Heisman Trophy Finalist (1989)
-Maxwell Award (1989)
-Camp Award (1989)
-Led NCAA in Rushing (1989)
-Led NCAA in Scoring (1989)
-Fourth in NCAA All-Purpose Yardage (1989)
-All-Time Division I Record for Touchdowns (at the end of his college career)
-Indiana University MVP Award is named in his honor
-College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2007)
