Long selected as Big Ten icon
Long was a Heisman runner-up
From the Big Ten Network:
CHICAGO – The Big Ten Network has named Illinois’ George Halas and Iowa’s Chuck Long as Big Ten Icons numbers 44 and 43, respectively. Big Ten Icons, presented by Discover, is the network’s most ambitious multi-platform initiative to date. The program is counting down the top 50 student-athletes in Big Ten history on www.BigTenIcons.com based solely on their collegiate playing careers.
Halas is considered one of the founding fathers of professional football, but the Chicago native got his start as a two-way end for Illinois from 1916-18. Halas was a force on Illinois’ 1918 Big Ten championship defense, a unit that surrendered only two points per game and shut out five of its seven opponents. Playing for the Great Lakes team in the 1919 Rose Bowl, Halas caught two touchdown passes and returned an interception 77 yards for another score. In an essay for www.BigTenIcons.com, former Chicago Tribune sports editor Dan McGrath writes, “Halas helped develop the ritual to which millions of Americans devote their fall and winter Sundays, enthralled by a game that blends force with finesse into an irresistible package.” To read the entire essay and watch a video feature on Halas, visit his Big Ten Icons locker at www.BigTenIcons.com.
Long was lightly recruited out of Wheaton, Ill., but went on to greatness as Iowa’s quarterback from 1981-85. He led the Hawkeyes to a memorable No. 1 vs. No. 2 victory against Michigan as a senior, and took Iowa to the Rose Bowl that year. Long was the 1985 Heisman Trophy runner-up to Bo Jackson, and was voted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999. He was the first Big Ten player to pass for more than 10,000 yards in a career. In an essay for www.BigTenIcons.com, McGrath writes, “Long was at the forefront of big-armed quarterbacks who brought the passing game to the Big Ten and performed a total makeover on its stodgy, ground-oriented image.” To read the entire essay and watch a video feature on Long, visit his Big Ten Icons locker at www.BigTenIcons.com.
Icons 50 through 21 are being unveiled through Sept. 16 at www.BigTenIcons.com. The website also features essays, video and other key facts about each student-athletes’ career. Viewers can also participate in the “Talk of the Locker Room” contest with a chance to win the $10,000 grand prize. Weekly winners will take home a 55-inch Phillips HD television.
The television show, hosted by legendary college sports broadcaster Keith Jackson, debuts Sept. 18 following a Big Ten Network football telecast in which Icon No. 20 will be revealed. The countdown continues at 9 PM ET every Tuesday night through the end of football season and into the spring. The No. 1 Big Ten Icon will be revealed around the 2011 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament.
BIG TEN ICONS COUNTDOWN:
No. 50 Tom Brands, Iowa wrestling (1989-92)
No. 49 Megan Hodge, Penn State women’s volleyball (2006-09)
No. 48 Drew Brees, Purdue football (1997-2000)
No. 47 Chris Spielman, Ohio State football (1984-87)
No. 46 LaVar Arrington, Penn State football (1997-99)
No. 45 Rod Woodson, Purdue football (1983-86)
No. 44 George Halas, Illinois football (1916-18)
No. 43 Chuck Long, Iowa football (1981-85)
No. 42 To Be Announced Sept. 6
No. 41 To Be Announced Sept. 6
No. 40 To Be Announced Sept. 7
No. 39 To Be Announced Sept. 7
No. 38 To Be Announced Sept. 8
No. 37 To Be Announced Sept. 8
No. 36 To Be Announced Sept. 9
No. 35 To Be Announced Sept. 9
No. 34 To Be Announced Sept. 10
No. 33 To Be Announced Sept. 10
No. 32 To Be Announced Sept. 11
No. 31 To Be Announced Sept. 11
No. 30 To Be Announced Sept. 12
No. 29 To Be Announced Sept. 12
No. 28 To Be Announced Sept. 13
No. 27 To Be Announced Sept. 13
No. 26 To Be Announced Sept. 14
No. 25 To Be Announced Sept. 14
No. 24 To Be Announced Sept. 15
No. 23 To Be Announced Sept. 15
No. 22 To Be Announced Sept. 16
No. 21 To Be Announced Sept. 16
No. 20 Announced Sept. 18 on the television season premiere of Big Ten Icons
Category: Iowa Hawkeyes Football
