Where I Come From: My All-Time Favorite Washington Players
by John Berkowitz on Jul 8, 2010 6:43 AM PDT
Email
Print(This is the fourth article in a week long series sponsored by EA Sports NCAA Football 2011)
This a challenging topic to write about because where does one begin and one end? I could easily put together a list of a hundred or more. That being said I am going to keep it simple and go with 25 and limit it to players after 1970.
1. TB - Joe Steele...Don James called him the most important recruit of his tenure because his signing put a fence around the state for over two decades. Joe had a running style that set him apart from the pack. A knee injury his senior year ended his NFL dreams but he will always be remembered as one of the guys who broke the Rose Bowl drought.
2. QB - Marques Tuiasosopo... As a junior in October 1999, Tuiasosopo became the only player in NCAA history to pass for over 300 yards and run for over 200 yards in a game, during a 35-30 victory over Stanford. Who can ever forget the drive in the rain he engineered in the fourth quarter at Stanford the next season which put Washington into the Rose Bowl?
3. TB - Napoleon Kauffman...He was one of the most electrifying running backs in Pac 10 and college football history, with tremendous acceleration that made his legs look like sewing machine needles. He is still the school's all-time leader in rushing yards (4,106), rushing attempts (735), most 100-yard games (17), 200 yard games (4), rushing touchdowns (34), tied with Hugh McElhenny for most rushing yards per game (89.3) and most rushes for 50+ yards (6).
4. DT - Steve Emtman...The greatest college DT I have ever seen play. After winning the Outland Trophy, the Lombardi Award, the Bill Willis Award, the UPI Lineman of the Year Award, the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year Award, being named a consensus First Team All-American, and finishing fourth in the Heisman Trophy balloting he was the first overall pick in the NFL draft after leaving school a year early.
5. WR - Mario Bailey...I will never forget the Heisman pose he struck as UW was pounding Michigan in the Rose Bowl? Husky record-holder for receiving touchdowns in a season (18) and a career (30), Bailey was an integral part of the Huskies’ 1991 National Championship team.
6. TE - Mark Bruener...Amidst a lineup of great tight ends who have passed through Husky Stadium over the years, Bruener is arguably the greatest. Upon graduating from the program following the 1994 season, Bruener enjoyed a 14-year NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans.
7. DE - Travis Richardson...TR was a four-year starter and had three sacks against Purdue in 1990, and finished his career with a school-record 248.5 in tackles for loss yardage.
8. QB - Sonny Sixkiller...He was the one guy everyone wanted to be when we were playing football in the street during the early 1970's. Sonny is only one of three Huskies to have made the cover of Sports Illustrated, appearing on the cover of its October 4, 1971 issue.
9. LB - Michael Jackson...Jackson still holds several defensive school records for the Huskies, including single season (210) and career (569) tackles.
10. QB - Jake Locker...He could easily be my #1 by the end of the year but he has to win some games and maybe a Heisman to do that. Jake may be the most popular Husky player since Sonny Sixkiller.
11. QB - Chris Chandler ...Before the Locker fourth quarter drive against USC last season there was the Chandler fourth quarter drive against USC. Chandler played for the UW from 1984 to 1987. He finished third in the school's history in total offense with 4,442 yards and 32 touchdown passes.
12. QB - Billy Joe Hobert ...How many QB's were undefeated in their starts at UW and were part of a national championship team?
13. DT - Ron Holmes...He was an All-American on the 1984 team that went 11-1 and finished No. 2 in the country after beating Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.
14. WR - Paul Skansi...He started alongside Aaron Williams for four years. He was the Husky version of Steve Largent.
15. CB - Ray Horton...The Mount Tahoma HS product was quite possibly the best cornerback to ever don the purple and gold.
16. LB - Dan Lloyd...A complete player who DJ felt was one of the best LB's he ever coached and he coached some very good one's.
17. LB - Tim Meamber...He was scary on the field and even scarier off of it. A 6-foot-3, 221-pound linebacker, Meamber was All-Pac-10, third-team All-America and co-captain of Purple Reign, the nickname for a defense that was arguably the greatest in school history.
18. TE - Scott Greenwood...One of the very best I have ever seen play the position at UW. He had a great set of hands, ran great routes, and man could he ever block.
19. CB - Cal Jones...A phenomenal talent on some teams that weren't exactly phenomenal. The man knew how to pick out a fedora.
20. OL - Lincoln Kennedy...A mammoth offensive tackle on the Huskies’ 1991 National Championship team, Kennedy was the ninth overall selection in the 1993 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons.
21. S - Jimmy Rodgers...Played with a broken arm against Oklahoma in Orange Bowl and was all over the field making plays.
22. DT - Doug Martin...After a great career at UW Martin played in the NFL for ten seasons from 1980-1989 with the Vikings.
23. CB - Mark Lee...The most exciting kick returner I can remember watching at Washington. He turned many a game around while he was at Washington with his fourth quarter heroics.
24. S - Lawyer Milloy...Probably the best who ever played the position at UW. In 1995, earned Parade All-American honors and first-team All-American honors by AP, Walter Camp, UPI, the American Football Coaches Association, the Football Writers Association and the Football News.
25. C - Blair Bush...A three-year letterwinner and two-year starter at center, Blair Bush served as a team captain and a leader for the 1977 UW team that went 10-2 on the season and defeated Michigan in the school's first Rose Bowl appearance in 14 seasons.
Who are your favorite Husky players?
Who do you think should be added to this list?
Huskies Fan Confidence Poll
Last tallied on 07/07.
more regional sports
88 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Brunell, Lewis, or Williams?
If Mark Brunell does not have that injury leading up to his junior year, he very well could’ve gone down as the best Husky ever. Not too many Pac 10 QBs win the Rose Bowl MVP as a sophomore. In my opinion you are offering too much respect to Billy Joe, who already had an assembled star-studded offense surrounding him, not to mention the most feared defense in all of college football. With that said it is my opinion that any QB could step into Billy Joe’s roll and come up aces too.
Greg Lewis had how many consecutive 100 yard performances and was a finalist for the Heisman and is excluded from the list? And Reggie Williams is arguably the single biggest, most talented receiver the program has ever seen.
I’m not going to bother putting a list together, but if I did have a list Emtman would be at the very top and Brunell, Lewis, and Williams would be on it.
All I saw was purple
Your "FAVORITE" Husky players
It is your favorite players not who you think are the best players…you blew the assignment Crazi.
I enjoyed Greg Lewis as a player but he isn’t in my top 25 favorites. I’ve met Greg before…he definitely isn’t a favorite…lol.
Reggie was the most talented….he is also a huge knucklehead….same with Jeremy Stevens…not favorites.
Any QB could step into BJ’s role…well Brunnell did step into that role…Billy was better by a couple hairs. I think Billy got a raw deal and was thrown under the bus.
Sixkiller would never make my 25 BEST list…easy pick for 25 FAVORITE!
by John Berkowitz on Jul 8, 2010 8:44 AM PDT up reply actions
Favs- I guess I sort of overlooked that part
We are going to disagree on the Brunell/Holbert thing and that is okay with me. But I feel as if I have to defend one of my favorite Dawgs ever. Mark and Nap played during an era when upper classmen got the playing time. Both came in as youngsters and delivered. To see Mark play as a sophomore, lead the team as a sophomore to a 10-2 finish, win the Rose Bowl and win the Rose Bowl MVP as a legit sophomore speaks volumes of his super athletic play at QB. In my humble opinion I grade Locker on two players
1. John Elway
2. Mark Brunell
Mark ran our option almost as gifted as Tui, but had a better arm and our passing game complimented the strong running game (Lewis). You know as well as I do that if Brunell doesn’t go down with a knee injury in spring camp that season, it is Brunell playing under center and not the back up Holbert. Furthermore Brunell did step back in that role, but it was a different team since Emtman entered the NFL draft. To compare one season to another is not indicative of Brunell’s talents, nor are you able to compare one season vs. the other.
Holbert was a fine QB, no doubt. But I am compelled to think that with Brunell’s sophomore 90 season/Rose Bowl victory (MVP) and put that with a 91 12-0 national championship, and if we’d beaten Michigan in 92 Rose Bowl the following season, just think of what Mark Brunell’s accomplishments would’ve looked like. I look back and I think WOW! Without that knee injury Brunell would’ve accomplished a tripple crown- 3 Rose Bowls and a national championship. Damn knee :)
All I saw was purple
Billy Joe Hobert
Give the kid some credit. He was a very good athlete and he was a leader. He wasn’t afraid to get into a guys face and make sure he knew what he was supposed to do.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Oh I Agree
I have absolutely no problem with Billy Joe. He did what no UW QB in the modern era has ever done. He was undefeated in every single start. That is amazing and it would have been a much longer streak if he and Emtman had stayed at UW another year.
by John Berkowitz on Jul 8, 2010 8:49 AM PDT up reply actions
Good list but really hard to limit to top 25
I will avoid listing mine as I’m afraid I will do injustice to some great one. One minor comment, Tui’s amazing 4th qtr comeback against the Furd in the rain, at that game, after Curtis and all, was still wondering how any team could go 80 yds in 3 plays and win the game in the last minute. My question was answered 5 years later when we had the Furds head “couch” and the DC wearing purple. Stll, tho, a magnificent drive engineered by the QB who refused to lose.
The idea is just to add more to the list
Think of some guys that are your favorites who are not listed and add them to the list. ; )
by John Berkowitz on Jul 8, 2010 8:57 AM PDT up reply actions
I like seeing Joe Steele at the top of your list
Steele is and was under-rated, and somewhat a victim of the times he played in, when exposure, especially outside the west coast, was very limited.
I would love to have seen what he would have accomplished at the next level had he not been injured.
Looking at it as an opponent, he was one of the players you always had to worry about, both for what he could do, and how he would do it.
As a PAC-10 fan, he was one of those guys that should have had his picture in the dictionary as an example of “football player”.
It was good to see a player from a while back remembered here, but IMO, his impact on Husky football was on par with the other greats.
Also nice to see Sonny Sixkiller remembered. Rightly or wrongly, Sonny was the face of both the Huskies and his heritage, and he did and still does an outstanding job of living up to expectations.
Andy Wooldridge, andy_wooldridge@yahoo.com
BuildingTheDam.Com
Go Beavs!
I love that...
Joe is number one for all the reasons you list above and he has the unfair advantage of being the one guy on the list that I have had the most beers with. ; )
I was at my wife’s Boston College reunion last year when I met a guy who had played QB when Doug Flutie was at BC. Obviously he didn’t get a lot of playing time. When I said I was a Washington fan he immediately mentioned Joe Steele. Steele was in fact his favorite college player when he was growing up in Philly.
by John Berkowitz on Jul 9, 2010 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions
I work with his...
…buddy and former team mate at Blanchet (?) Gosh it’s been so long that I’ve thought about it, not really sure if that was it. All I know is that it was a Catholic School if I’m not mistaken. My HS (Lakes) played them in the quarter finals and lost a close game. That was an extremely talented team and it could just have easily went to Lakes HS that year.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
I'll do a quick top 5 since I'm on my blackberry
1. Marques – Great athlete and leader.
2. Steve E – Dominant. I still love watching old games and seeing him just embarass guys.
3. Mark Stewart – My HS footall coach (although it was a short stint). Solid guy and a super hard worker. Side note: He taught Yoga classes at my HS…nothing quite like watching an All-American tell you to do “tree” pose.
4. Jake Locker – Great kid, great QB…does UW proud everyrtime he opens his mouth.
5. DTN – Definition of overachiever. Nobody works harder than Daniel. The embodiment of evrything I like in a player.
Mine only goes back a few years. I’d love to hear more about the glory days before I became a fan. Husky history is so rich. This has been a cool series JB.
by B Money on Jul 8, 2010 9:37 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
A Story about Mark Stewart
When Mark was pledging his fraternity, for hazing they took him and another player and dressed them up looking really stupid. Then they blindfolded them and drove up to Sedro Wooley and dropped them off with a cement block painted purple and gold, a burlap sack half full of sand, and pointed them towards Burlington and told them they had to get to the I-5 onramp by midnight. My brother was closing up his restaraunt when they walked in and asked him if he knew the way to I-5. My brother told them they were lucky that they weren’t a hood ornament for a log truck. They had already walked a mile and it was a quarter to twelve. The brother asked them if they tried hitchhiking. To which Mark said, would you pick us up dressed like this and packing this. My brother said no and gave them a ride to the Burlington onramp. They made it with a couple minutes to spare. My brother said they were real nice guys. I followed his Husky career to say the least.
BILLY JOE
I was glad to see him on the list. Another of Gerberding’s victims along with Mike Lude and Don James. There was no doubt he was something special and could just will a win. A tragedy. The only other QB I could compare to him is Jake Locker.
Very well written received post. Brought back a lot of memories. I was in the stands every one of those incredible years. A lot of great players came out of Puyallup.
Just thought of one: WARREN MOON. Had to go back and check the list to make sure he wasn’t on it?
Warren would make my top 30 I suppose but I named a number of QB’s ahead of him.
We have had a lot of great QB’s.
by John Berkowitz on Jul 8, 2010 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions
Reggie had an ego
And unless your a QB and it’s required there’s not much room for that in college if you ask me.
Joe was always a favorite of mine, fearless.
by B Money on Jul 8, 2010 10:03 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Ego or not, he was one of my favorite Huskies ever. He wasn't the first, nor will he be the last, to be an elite player in the NCAA to play for the Huskies and have an ego at the same time.
Golden!
by Carl Shinyama on Jul 9, 2010 9:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Reggie's Performance's...
…in the Apple Cup will always endear him with me. As good as he was he seemed to save his best for the cougs.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
I've never been a Reggie fan
but I can understand. I was just saying I think that’s why he’s never really been on the top tier of Husky heros.
Favorites
Great list, John. Personally, I’ve always been a huge Mark Brunell fan, I like Billy Joe (he got screwed), but I’ll never forget watching Brunell scramble around and make some beautiful throws.
My favorites who didn’t make John’s list:
Dave Hoffman
Shane Pahukoa
Chico Frailey
Jaime Fields
Brock Huard
Olin Kruetz & Benji Olson
My Favorites who only had a real brief glimpse of greatness:
Ja’Warren Hooker – Pure Speed, can’t forget the first time he touched the ball, 90+ yard kickoff return for a TD against Arizona.
Shelton Sampson – He lit Oregon up. 42-14 under Gilby.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
What a list
Emtman/Napoleon/Tui would have to be my top three. As far as folks to add to the list, I’m surprised no one’s mentioned ‘91 LBs James Clifford and Dave Hoffman (who’s now in the Secret Service, which seems very appropriate); and I have to admit, while Chandler was a good player, I just never liked the dude.
by The Ancient Mariner on Jul 8, 2010 10:14 AM PDT reply actions
Beno Bryant
Personally, I would put Beno on the list. He was the first speed back I recall seeing for the huskies (before Nap), and he was a real gamer.
and a great kickoff/punt returner.
I think he still holds some UW punt return records.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Beano was the first guy I thought of not on the list.
Warren moon, DTN, Brunell and Conwell also came to mind.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
Conwell
Now there is a stud who hadn’t been mentioned yet. Rumor had it that the strength and conditioning coach had to slow him down, he was getting too big!
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Jimmy Rodgers on the radio
Back in his day there still weren’t many TV games. I still remember Bob R calling the game, during that lull before the ball is snapped, and then Jimmy moves from his S/R position to a different spot. The young QB changes the call, and Jimmy moves again. The QB tries to change again, but its a delay of game penalty. He could really get into a QB’s head.
As far as favorites go, got to go with Joe “he’s no rinka dinka”. Best moment was on a double pass for a TD and he was all jacked up and getting slammed into the fence in the end zone when he remembered he had to shut down all of his excitement and kick an extra point.
JASON CHORAK
Big time gamer and nasty DE. Played a key role defensively for the Whammy in Miami. All us old timers who remember the Washington/Miami national championship debate did not miss the Whammy in Miami. I wasn’t able to attend the game in Miami, but I did watch it on televison and I must say I was completely out of control and hysterical to see the destruction and hurt we put on the Canes. With that said, Chorak has to be high on every old timers list- he and Milloy were defensive stars in that game!
All I saw was purple
Why do I love Fullbacks?
Robin Earl & Rick Fenney are my two favorite Huskies of all time.
I remember when Earl ran all over Wazzu like they were.. well… Wazzu.
REAL Huskies
I can’t believe no one has mentioned the REAL Huskies- Bob Schloredt, Don McKeta, Congressman Norm Dicks, Rick Redman….. They started Husky football back toward the big time. Many of them played both sides of the ball. They destroyed Big 10 domination of the Rose Bowl, too. How about a little recognition for the ancestors of the great players and teams of the 80s and 90s!
That would be because
John specifically said “the last 40 years.”
by The Ancient Mariner on Jul 8, 2010 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Going back to 1970
I agree on those guys but the majority of folks here are much younger so starting it off in 70 makes sense.
by John Berkowitz on Jul 8, 2010 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Minority
I guess we are in the minority 66husky I am so thank full we are even allowed to be on the board. I forgot the world did not begin before 1970 and husky football a short time there after. My two favorites Bob Schloredt and Don McKeta.
by lorenzothedog on Jul 8, 2010 6:14 PM PDT up reply actions
That's not particularly fair
The fact of it is, if we’re going to talk all-time best, I’ll certainly agree that folks like Schloredt and McElhenny need to be in the discussion; when it comes to all-time favorites, though, we can each only speak for our own frame of reference. As such, setting a common frame that doesn’t exclude the great majority of the fanbase here is not unreasonable.
by The Ancient Mariner on Jul 8, 2010 8:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Some guys not on your list that I’d plug (and many have already been mentioned):
- Steve Pelluer: Not sure why, but I always really liked him as a QB for us
- Mark Stewart: Fantastic LB
- Chuck Nelson: Not just a great K, I’ll always remember the trick play against Stanford where the ball was direct-snapped to Nelson and he ran 20+ yards for the TD
- Beno Bryant: The most electrifying Husky I’ve ever seen, even more so (IMO) than Kaufman or Mark Lee
- Dave Hoffman: Along with Emtman, the emotional leader of those great defenses from ‘90-’92
- Joe Jarczynka: Who didn’t love the fearless little guy who refused to fair catch a punt, especially when he also took over as our K?
- Curt Marsh: DJ had a long string of outstanding OT’s in the program – Marsh was one of the first; a guy that really paid the price for his exploits on the field
- Ed Cunningham: Talented, but also a big personality; definitely not afraid to share his opinions on things
- Tim Cowan: I had the pleasure of working with him on a project several years ago, and he was gracious, funny, charming and just a really good guy
- Willie Hurst: I also got to work with Willie on a couple of different occasions, and when he opened up he was a really fun guy; besides, who can forget that incredible spin move vs. Arizona for a TD?
I’m sure there’s more I’m forgetting, but I could go on an on with all the great players that have come through here over the time I’ve been watching Husky football…
Beno was the Man!
Electifying off the edge and had deaf defying seperation speed. Beno was Nap before Nap. He gets lost in the wash a lot due to playing between Greg Lewis and Nap- but he was the human highlight show.
All I saw was purple
With all due respect to Beno . . .
he didn’t have the speed and quickness of Kauffman. Beno was a great running back and an electrifying returner and deserves his place on the list. BUT, there is only one Napolean Kauffman. Kauffman was the fasted accelerating, most shifty, hard to get your hands on running back I’ve ever seen. There is a reason he holds the all time rushing record at UW.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Kaufman was a better running back. But I disagree that Kaufman was “faster-accelerating” than Beno – Beno had just as much speed and quickness as Kaufman, if not more. Where Kaufman had a big edge was in strength which enabled him to be a tougher runner than Beno. Beno was the best return man I’ve seen on the Huskies, just edging Mark Lee, and he was as big of a home run threat at RB as any guy I’ve seen here. He just didn’t have quite enough strength to hold up as a 25 carry per game featured back, which is why he split carries with Jay Barry.
Good points
Kauffman was a stud in the weight room, they said he was, pound for pound, the strongest player on the team. Beno was by far the best returner in UW history, it was electrifying to watch. But, I can’t agree about the acceleration, both were very, very quick, but once Kauffman had daylight he could get away from players faster than anyone. Unfortunately we don’t have 10 yard dash times or 40 yard dash times to compare, either way both were awesome players.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Dr Steven Bramwell
Playing at 5-foot-8, 155 pounds, Bramwell was one of the great little men of the ’60s, setting UW and national records as a kick returner. In his first game in 1963, he ran back a kickoff for 90 yards against Air Force. He still holds Husky career records for punt returns – 59 for 704 yards – and kickoff returns, 54 for 1,443 yards – a remarkable 26.7 average.
by John Berkowitz on Jul 9, 2010 6:16 AM PDT up reply actions
Joe Jarzynka
For a walkon and being as small as he was he was fearless. When he was back there you knew there would be no fair catching. I think that only bit him once that I remember. I think he ended up fumbling. That was rare though. I think Nueshisel was the coach and he was not happy.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Agree with Kirkd
Beno was the best in open field and I’ve never seen a Husky with better seperation speed. Nap might be just as good in open field, but Nap ran between the tackles more then Beno. We look at Nap as a great RB, but very seldom do we look at Beno as a RB. We used Beno in the backfield, but if you look above I never classified him as a RB. The dude was electrifying in open field as a player coming out of the backfield and on special teams.
When I said “Beno was Nap before Nap”, I meant that Beno was the homerun player Nap was, nothing more … nothing less. Both were spectacular players!
All I saw was purple
Beno was a very productive back for us – I wouldn’t discount his contributions there. He wasn’t an elite RB like Nip and he was never going to be a workhorse at the position given his size, but he was such a threat behind that line – give him a crease and he was at the 2nd level in a flash, and frequently taking it to the house.
Beno Bryant
He also excelled as a punt returner, a very good one I might add.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Agree
Beno will never win an award for best all time RB at Washington. But he is discussed in length as one of the most electrfying players to ever suit up as a Dawg. He was truly magificant.
I remember thinking who are we going to get to run the ball now that Greg Lewis was drafted. I knew Beno was behind him, but I didn’t think he’d explode as the homerun threat we needed. Beno had as much to do with winning that national championship as anybody. In 91 opposing defenses would say: “he was there a second ago and then he was gone”. Beno is one of my all time favs.
All I saw was purple
Remember Crazi...
…we also had another kid from Colorado who split time with Beno and Nip during that 91 season. I wish I could think of his name?
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Both of those guys...
…put up over 100 yards on the Huskers. We rolled up over 600 yards of offense on them IN LINCOLN!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
"Both were spectacular players!"
Exactly, those were good times!!!
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Having Ed and Brock on College Football Live is great
I love the fact the Pac-10 runs that show.
by B Money on Jul 8, 2010 3:25 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
REAL Huskies
I chose to go with the “All-Time” in the title, but you can limit the discussion if you wish.
Those were great players, no doubt. We should also mention guys like George Wilson, Chuck Carroll, Paul Schweger, Max Starcevich, Vic Markov, Rudy Mucha, Ray Frankowski, Hugh McElhenny & Don Heinrich. And let’s not pretend that guys like Steve Emtman, Dave Hoffman, Ray Horton, Lincoln Kennedy, Nip Kaufman, Marques Tuiasosopo, Lawyer Milloy and many others wouldn’t also have excelled in single-platoon football.
The reason John limited the list as he did is that most of the readership here dates from the DJ era or later in terms of when they started watching Husky football.
It is pretty tough for me to say Hugh McElhenny is my favorite because he played at UW before I was born. I love Bob Schloredt…but I was three years old when he graduated. I didn’t start going to games until the mid 1960’s.
by John Berkowitz on Jul 8, 2010 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree with you 100%. Just thought it would be fun to bring a little history along, too. How about Hurley DeRoin? Thanks for a great blog!!
I like reading your stuff
The point that should be noted here is that Washington has a lengthy history of being a highly successful program. This program didn’t just start when Don James accepted the position in the mid 70s. This thing has been going on for a lot longer then when the Dawgfather came onboard. We have history of success that dates way back, something neighboring rivals don’t have.
All I saw was purple
Michael Jackson
Have to give a shout out to him since he was a Pasco High grad. If I’m not mistaken his interception in the 1978 Rosebowl sealed the victory.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
He sure was one of my favorite players to watch – he was the most dominant Husky RB I’ve seen ( granted, I’m too young to have seen McElhenny…)
Dillon was incredible but he played only one season. Tough for me to add him to a favorites list.
by John Berkowitz on Jul 8, 2010 6:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah I can see...
…where based on him being a favorite maybe he wouldn’t be. We all have a bit of a different take on this though. I remember going to picture day before the 1996 season, I didn’t see Corey until right at the end but I got to shake his hand. (huge hands I might add) It struck me that he was so big physically, more like a linebacker. Anyway he was very gracious and all smiles and he made a strong positive impression with me.
Remember he didn’t become a full time starter until a few games into the 1996 season. Who knows what his total yardage would have been if he would have been the featured back from the first game? He put 260 yards or so on the ducks, he’s one of my favorites! By the way, he would have had the all time record had Lambo not taken him out of that game. I think he should have been allowed to break McElhenny’s record.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
That is really the key
Who is your favorite…you ask 25 people and you are going to get 25 different answers…that makes it fun.
by John Berkowitz on Jul 8, 2010 7:25 PM PDT up reply actions
That being said......
Despite my talk about the old-timers, my FAVORITE all-time Husky player is Jake Locker— a lot to like. He came to UW in spite of the fact that his career prospects would have been better at USC or elsewhere. He was loyal to his coach even when it wasn’t popular. He stayed for his senior year against conventional wisdom. I hope he has great success this year (and not just because the Dawgs will win 9-10 games if he does). He deserves it.
Locker is a truly impressive individual
and if all goes well, I think we’re going to be looking at him for a long, long time as someone who did UW proud.
by The Ancient Mariner on Jul 8, 2010 8:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Good points!
You just don’t see that much today. GO JAKE!! GO DAWGS!!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
DB CORY
DILLON was recruited as a DB and only on his insistence was he given a shot at RB. Makes you wonder who was doing the evaluation?
But might be reason he did not start immediately. Absolutely tore up San Jose State something like 200 plus yards first half.
Only other RB to make that many yards in first half was DONNIE MOORE against Ohio State in Columbus. Of all the great Husky running backs of all time Donnie would have to rank # ONE period. Career cut short believe it or not by Alumni complaints. A great RB but not your poster boy for political correctness. A semi tragedy.
He and Dave Williams (first round draft pick) both graduated Lincoln HS in Tacoma together and ended thier careers in the Husky DAWG house. Willams a first round draft pick by the LA Rams (smaller league) was not allowed to start his final game as a senior.
I doubt you will ever see them as Husky Legends.
222 yards rushing . . . .
in the FIRST QUARTER!!!!! I believe it’s still an NCAA record.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
I was at the game....
…it was pouring down rain. Still I had to stay for most of it since it was such an amazing performance. Another game where he could have broken the record.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
I think you will see them both as Husky legends….Dave Williams was our best receiver during the 1960’s and had a great pro career.
A lot of truth in what you are saying.
by John Berkowitz on Jul 9, 2010 11:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh ya...
I am pretty opinionated on Warren.
He shouldn’t have started his sophomore year….Chris Rowland was absolutely jobbed in the process. Not DJ’s best decision but it is certainly debatable since the experience was a factor in the future.
by John Berkowitz on Jul 9, 2010 11:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Definitely remember the...
…1978 Rosebowl. Classic! Of all the Husky games I missed growing up, I’m sure glad I watched that one.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
TV Coverage
What was the TV coverage like in the 60s and 70s? My old man used to listen to the games on the radio in the late 50s and 60s but I don’t remember us watching on TV. Having said that, I wish my old man had gotten me interested at a younger age. All I wanted to do is watch cartoons!
The one game, ironically enough, that I do remember watching with him was a game between Old Miss and Alabama. I rooted for Alabama and Dad rooted for Ole Miss. It was a barn burner with Alabama finally prevailing.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
You can actually find a “YouTube” video of the broadcast of the 1960 Rose Bowl which is pretty amazing.
You go back to that period of time and the first thing you notice is the less than stellar camera work. Very few games were televised back then….maybe4-6 total each week for the entire country.
I have many more memories of watching games in person or listening on the radio…rather than watching on TV.
by John Berkowitz on Jul 10, 2010 9:00 AM PDT up reply actions
That's kind of what I thought...
…there was a reason my old man listened to them on the radio.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Moon Brunell and Pickett
Moon because he is the one players that made me a husky fan in the mid 70’s. Brunell was just all around great player. so much fun to watch. Cody Pickett is one of the toughest kids ever to play the position. How many QB’s make tackles playing special teams. Cody did that.
Lincoln FREAKIN' Kennedy.
Maybe the best o-lineman in the school’s history.
Donald Jones. Andy Mason. Tommie Smith. Shane Pahukoha. Bern Brostek. /See-u-pel-i/ Malamala. DeMarco Farr. Larry Triplett. Dana Hall. Walter Bailey. Fred Small. Aaron Pierce. Orlando McKay. Lonzell Hill. Andre Riley.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
