Greensboro, N.C.-Led by former Maryland standout Stan Jones, who is
a member of both the National Football Foundation and College Hall
of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Atlantic Coast
Conference announced its Class of 2008 Dr Pepper ACC Football
Championship Game Legends Wednesday.
The Legends will be honored at this year's Dr Pepper ACC Football
Championship game weekend. They will appear at the ACC Coaches and
Awards Luncheon at noon on Friday, Dec. 5, and will be honored at
the "ACC Night of Legends" held at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay on
Friday evening. They will also be recognized during pre-game
ceremonies at Raymond James Stadium.
The group of 12 former ACC gridiron standouts includes an Outland
Trophy winner, three former ACC Players of the Year, 10 former
All-Americans and 10 players who combined for a total of 106 years
of experience in the National Football League.
Jones (Altoona, Pa.), a consensus All-America for Maryland's 1953
National Championship squad, who went on to play for an NFL
Championship team with the Chicago Bears, is one of 10 members of
the class to have NFL experience.
Joining him are former Miami defensive tackle Russell Maryland
(Miami, Fla.), who won the 1990 Outland Trophy, which is given
annually to the nation's top interior lineman; former Virginia
running back Tiki Barber (Roanoke, Va.), the 1996 ACC Player and
Offensive Player of the Year, who enjoyed a 10-year career with the
New York Giants; former Florida State quarterback Danny Kannell (Ft.
Lauderdale, Fla.), the 1995 ACC Player and Offensive Player of the
Year; and former North Carolina defensive tackle Marcus Jones
(Jacksonville, N.C.), the ACC's 1995 Defensive Player of the Year.
Two other members of the class, All-America outside linebackers Pat
Swilling (Toccoa, Ga.) of Georgia Tech and Levon Kirkland (Lamar,
S.C.) of Clemson, also earned honors in the professional ranks.
Swilling, while with the New Orleans Saints, was named the NFL's
1991 Defensive Player of the Year, while Kirkland, a longtime
standout for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was named to the NFL's
All-Decade team of the 1990's.
Completing the class are former Boston College linebacker Steve
DeOssie (Tacoma, Wash.), a two-time All-ECAC selection; Duke
All-America end Claude "Tee" Moorman, II (Miami, Fla.); NC State
consensus All-America guard Bill Yoest (Pittsburgh, Pa.); Virginia
Tech All-America quarterback Don Strock (Pottstown, Pa.); and Wake
Forest's John Henry Mills (Jacksonville, Fla.), a three-time
first-team All-ACC tight end.
In all, this year's Legends class include five consensus
All-Americas in Stan Jones, Marcus Jones, Kirkland, Maryland, and
Yoest; two NFL first-round draft picks in Maryland, who was actually
the first selection of the entire 1991 NFL draft by the Dallas
Cowboys, and Marcus Jones; two 2nd-round NFL Draft picks in Kirkland
and Yoest; one 3rd-round selection in Swilling; a pair of
4th-rounders in Kannell and DeOssie; and three 5th-round picks in
Barber, Strock and Stan Jones.
The honorees also feature 10 former standouts who played a combined
total of 106 years in the National Football league led by Strock,
who played 16 seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns and
Indianapolis Colts, but also including Stan Jones (13 seasons),
Swilling (13), DeOssie (12), Kirkland (11), Barber (10), Maryland
(10), as well as Mills (7), Kannel (7) and Marcus Jones (7).
Additionally four of this year's honorees participated in a
total of seven NFL Super Bowls: Maryland, who was a member of
three Super Bowl champions while with the Dallas Cowboys;
DeOssie, a member of the 1991 Super Bowl Champion New York Giants which captured their championship in old Tampa
Stadium, which was adjacent to the site of this year's Dr Pepper ACC
Championship Game; Strock, who was in Super Bowls in 1983 and 1985 with
the Miami Dolphins; and Tiki Barber, who played in the 2001 Super
Bowl-coincidentally held in Tampa's Raymond James Stadium, the site of
this year's Dr Pepper ACC Championship Game--while with the New York
Giants.
Here is the 2008 ACC Football Championship Legends Class:
DeOssie (Boston College, 1980-83), lettered four times for the
Eagles from 1980 through 1983 for Head Coaches Ed Chlebek and Jack
Bicknell. He led the Eagles to their first bowl trips in 41 years,
helping BC to appearances in the 1982 Tangerine and the 1983 Liberty
Bowls. During his time at Chestnut Hill, the Eagles compiled a
29-16-1 record and, in 1983, earned their first appearance in the
final AP Top 25 (19th) in 40 years. Drafted in the 4th-round by the
Dallas Cowboys, DeOssie enjoyed a 12-year NFL career with Dallas,
the New York Giants and New England Patriots. While with New York,
he helped the Giants win the NFL's World Championship in Super Bowl
XXV in 1991, held in the old Tampa Stadium. A native of Tacoma,
Wash., DeOssie currently lives in Charlestown, Mass.
Kirkland (Clemson, 1988-91), started four seasons for the Tigers
from 1988 through 1991 for Head Coaches Danny Ford and Ken Hatfield,
helping Clemson post a 39-8-1 record including ACC Championships in
1988 and 1991. A three-time first-team All-ACC selection, he earned
second-team All-America honors in 1990 and consensus first-team
All-America accolades in 1991. As a senior in 1991, he led a Clemson
rushing defense which was the nation's best. A 2nd-round draft
choice by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1992, he played 11 years in the
NFL twice earning all-pro honors and was selected to the NFL's
All-Decade Team for the 1990s. Originally a native of Lamar, S.C.,
Kirkland now lives in Greer, S.C.
Moorman (Duke, 1958-60), lettered three years for Duke and helped
lead the Blue Devils to the 1960 ACC Championship and a
No. 10 final national ranking by the Associated Press and a 7-6 win
over 7th-ranked Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl, catching the
game-winning pass in the fourth quarter. As a senior that year he
made 54 receptions, still the 12th-best single season total for a
Blue Devil and the second-highest ever by a tight end. Selected a
first-team All-America in 1960 by both the Football Writers
Association of America and the Football News, he was also named
first-team All-ACC that year. Named to the Silver Anniversary
All-ACC football team in 1977, he finished his career with 71
receptions for 709 and five touchdowns. In 1986, he was honored by
the NCAA and presented with its prestigious Silver Anniversary
Award. Originally a native of Miami, Fla., Moorman now lives in
Plymouth, N.C.
Kannell (Florida State, 1992-95), started two seasons for Florida
State at quarterback, after spending two seasons as an understudy to
Heisman Trophy-winning QB Charlie Ward. He posted a 21-3 record as a
starter for the Seminoles including two 4th-place final AP rankings
and wins over Florida in the Sugar Bowl and Notre Dame in the Orange
Bowl. During his four years at FSU, the Seminoles compiled a 43-5-3
record and a 31-1 ACC mark. Kannell threw for over 300 yards in a
game 10 times, the second-most in school history. He still holds the
two-best completion days in FSU history, completing 41 passes
against Georgia Tech in 1995 and 40 versus Florida in 1994. The 1995
ACC Player of the Year, he was a second-team all-America in 1995 and
a two-time first-team All-ACC selection. A fourth-round 1995 pick of
the New York Giants, Kannell enjoyed a seven-year NFL career with
the Giants, Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos. He still resides in
his original hometown of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Swilling (Georgia Tech, 1982-85), started four seasons at outside
linebacker for Georgia Tech and as a senior was one of the leaders
of Tech's famed "Black Watch Defense" which led Tech to a 9-2-1
record and a No. 18 national ranking. Swilling earned first-team
All-America honors by the Football Writers Association of America
(FWAA) in 1985, and that year set an ACC single-game record for
quarterback sacks which still stands with seven against NC State in
the season-opener. He earned first-team All-ACC honors in 1985 and
was a 3rd-round selection of the New Orleans Saints in the 1986 NFL
Draft. He played 13 seasons in the NFL with the Saints, Detroit
Lions and Oakland Raiders. While with the Saints in 1991, he was
named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year. Originally a native of
Toccoa, Ga., he now resides in New Orleans, La.
Stan Jones (Maryland, 1950-53), was named a consensus All-America at
defensive tackle in 1953 for Maryland's National Championship team.
During his career at Maryland, the Terrapins compiled a 34-5-1
record, finishing unbeaten at 10-0 and Southern Conference Champions
in 1951 and 10-1 and National Champs in 1953. The Terps played in
the Sugar Bowl in 1951 and the Orange in 1953. In Jones' senior
year, Maryland's defense allowed only 31 points in 11 games. Named
the "Outstanding College Lineman of the Year" by the College
Football Coaching Board, Jones was a 5th-round draft choice by the
Chicago Bears in the 1954 NFL draft he enjoyed a 13-year NFL career
including 12 seasons with the Chicago Bears. He was one of the
leaders for the Bears in their 1963 NFL Championship team. Jones is
originally a native of Altoona, Pa., who now lives in Broomfield,
Colorado.
Maryland (Miami, 1987-90) played on Miami teams which were National
Champions in 1987 and 1989 and helped UM to a four-year record of
44-4. A consensus All-America as senior, Maryland became the first
Miami player to win the Outland Trophy, which is given annually to
the nation's best interior lineman. Also named the 1990 UPI Lineman
of the Year, he finished his Miami career with 270 tackles and 20.5
quarterback sacks. The first player chosen in the 1991 NFL Draft by
the Dallas Cowboys, Maryland went on to an 11-year professional
career including five years with Dallas, four with Oakland and two
with Green Bay. He played on three NFL Super Bowl Championship teams
while with the Cowboys. Maryland is originally a native of Miami,
Fla., who now resides in South Lake, Texas.
Marcus Jones (North Carolina, 1992-95) lettered four years and
started three seasons for North Carolina, helping the Tar Heels
compile a 34-15 record including playing in four consecutive bowl
games. He played both defensive tackle and end for the Tar Heels,
earning 2nd team All-ACC honors as an end in 1993, first-team
All-ACC honors as a tackle in 1994 and again first-team All-ACC as
an end in 1995. A consensus All-America choice in 1995, that year he
was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the
Year. Chosen on the first round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the
1996 NFL Draft, he played seven seasons with the Bucs (1996-2002)
and two years (2002-03) with Buffalo. Jones was originally a native
of Jacksonville, N.C., and now resides in Lutz, Fla.
Yoest (N. C. State, 1970-73) lettered four times for the Wolfpack
playing for coaches Earl Edwards, Al Michaels and Lou Holtz. He
helped State to a two-year, 17-6-1 record under Holtz, as the
Wolfpack finished 1972 ranked 17th and 1973 ranked 16th. A two-time
first-team All-ACC choice as a guard, he earned consensus
All-America honors as a senior in 1973. He was the recipient of the
1973 ACC Jacobs Blocking Trophy given annually to the league's top
blocker. He earned invitations to both the Hula Bowl and East-West
Shrine Game. Yoest then played a short stint with the Orlando
Blazers of the World Football League before returning to Raleigh and
starting a financial services business. Yoest is originally from
Pittsburgh, Pa., but now resides in Raleigh, N.C.
Barber (Virginia, 1994-96) lettered three times for Virginia,
helping lead the Cavaliers to a 25-12 record and three consecutive
bowl trips and the 1995 ACC Co-Championship. He finished his career
as Virginia's all-time leading rusher with 3,389 yards, a mark since
eclipsed by Thomas Jones in 1999. Barber has more 100-yard rushing
games (19) than any other back in Virginia history. He was named a
first-team All-ACC running back in 1995 and 1996, and a first-team
Academic All-America in both seasons. He was named the ACC's Player
of the Year in 1996 as Virginia became the first ACC team to defeat
Florida State in conference play. Named a National Football
Foundation and Hall of Fame Scholar in 1996, he was a 2nd-round
draft pick by the New York Giants in the 1997 NFL draft. He played
10 seasons for the Giants, rushing for 10,449 yards and 55
touchdowns in his career and played for the Giants in Super Bowl
XXXV, which was held at Raymond James Stadium-the site of this
year's ACC Championship Game. Barber is originally from Roanoke,
Va., but now he resides in New York City and is an NBC news
correspondent and an analyst for the network's Football Night in
America.
Strock (Virginia Tech, 1970-72) lettered three times for Virginia
Tech playing for Jerry Claiborne and Charlie Coffee. The most
prolific passer in Virginia Tech history, he still holds Tech
single-season records for most passes attempted (527) and completed
(228) and passing yardage (3,243) as well as single-game marks in
all three categories. He was named a third-team All-America by the
Associated Press in 1972. A fifth-round selection by the Miami
Dolphins in the 1973 draft, Strock went on to play 16 years in the
NFL including 14 seasons with the Dolphins. He played on two Dolphin
teams which earned trips to the Super Bowl after the 1982 and 1984
seasons. Used as mainly a reserve throughout his career, he still
passed for 5,349 yards and 45 touchdowns. He is the author of one of
the most famous plays in NFL history, the famed "Hook and Lateral"
play in the 1982 NFL playoffs. Strock is originally a native of
Pottstown, Pa., who now lives in Weston, Fla.
Mills (Wake Forest, 1988, 1990-92) lettered four times for Wake
Forest playing for head coach Bill Dooley. Mills is Wake's all-time
leading receiver among tight ends having caught 142 passes for 1,652
yards. A three-time All-ACC first-team selection from 1990 through
1992, he finished third in the ACC in receptions in 1990 with 46 and
led the league in 1991 with 51. Against Duke in 1990, he caught 12
passes for 230 yards, still the second-most receiving yards in a
single game in school history. A fifth-round pick by the Houston
Oilers in the 1993 NFL Draft, he played seven seasons in the NFL
with Houston, Oakland and Minnesota. In 1996, while with the Oilers,
he earned All-Pro honors as a special teams player. Mills is
originally from Jacksonville, Fla., but he now lives in Houston,
Texas.
Coutesy of Mike Finn of the ACC.com
