The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Williams, McKay on 2014 College Football Hall of Fame ballot
03.06.2014 | Football
The 2014 class will be selected in May and honored in December at the 57th NFF Annual Awards Dinner in New York City
IRVING, Texas – There are two former Texas Longhorns on the 2014 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. Running back Ricky Williams and offensive tackle Bob McKay were among 75 players and six coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) announced as candidates by the National Football Foundation (NFF) Thursday.
Williams played for the Longhorns from 1995-98 and ended his career as the NCAA's all-time leading rusher (6,279). He captured the 1998 Heisman Trophy, the 1997 and 1998 Doak Walker Awards, and was a unanimous first team All-American as a junior and senior. The San Diego native, was a three-time first team All Big-12 choice and won back-to-back NCAA rushing titles in 1997 and 1998. When he ended his Texas career, he held 21 NCAA and 46 school records.
Williams was chosen fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. In 2002, he led the NFL with 1,853 rushing yards and was selected to the Pro Bowl, earning game MVP honors. He played 12 NFL seasons with the Saints (1999-01), Miami Dolphins (2002-03; 2005-10) and Baltimore Ravens (2011).
McKay was an offensive tackle for Texas from 1968-69. As a senior in 1969 he was a consensus first team All-American, helping lead the Longhorns to an unbeaten season and their second National Championship. McKay also helped the Longhorns win two Southwestern Conference Championships. During his two seasons, the Longhorns boasted a 20-1-1 record.
McKay was selected in the first round of the 1970 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. He played nine seasons with the Browns (1970-1975) and New England Patriots (1976-1978).
Nineteen Texas football players and coaches have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, including Jerry Gray (defensive back/1981-84) last year.
To be eligible for the Hall of Fame ballot, players must have been named a first team All-American by a major/national selector as recognized and utilized by the NCAA for their consensus All-America teams; played their last year of intercollegiate football at least 10 years prior; played within the last 50 years and cannot be currently playing professional football.
The 2014 College Football Hall of Fame class will be announced in May and the group will be inducted on Dec. 9, at the 57th NFF Annual Awards Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.
The ballot was mailed this week to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF's Honors Court, which deliberates and selects the class.