Billy Ray Smith Jr. Passes.

 By John Turney 

Billy Ray Smith Jr., the versatile linebacker who starred at Arkansas and spent his entire 10-year NFL career with the San Diego Chargers, died Wednesday, July 29, 2026. He was just 64.

His family announced that he passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones after a long journey with dementia caused by CTE. He faced the illness with "unmatched bravery, dignity, and strength," the family said.

Born August 10, 1961, in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Smith was the son of Billy Ray Smith Sr., a longtime NFL defensive lineman who also played at Arkansas. The younger Smith grew up in Plano, Texas, and helped lead Plano Senior High to the 1977 Texas Class 4A state championship before following his father to the University of Arkansas.

Playing under Lou Holtz, he was one of the biggest stars Arkansas ever produced, earning induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000, the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, and the Razorback Hall of Honor. In the pros, he was voted into the franchise’s 50th Anniversary Team. 

He became a San Diego media figure after his NFL career, working as a sportscaster at KGTV (ABC 10 News), co-hosting radio shows including "The Scott and B.R. Show," and often covering Super Bowls in that capacity. He also was a contributor to Chargers preseason and college football broadcasts.

Chargers owner Dean Spanos remembered him as "truly larger than life … Always smiling. Lighting up every room he walked into. Infectious laughter."

The following is a repost of an August, 2020 PFJ post on Smith:

Billy Ray Smith, Jr. was the son of a fine NFL defensive tackle, Billy Ray Smith Sr., but he was one of those good players who sometimes doesn't get remembered as often as he should

Smith was selected fifth overall in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. He was one of those athletes who tested well physically in terms of what was then known as "triangle numbers"—size, strength, and speed. For that era, he was a good-sized outside linebacker with good speed:  6-3, 242, 4.65 forty but also had brains (reportedly tested by one NFL team as having a 120 I.Q.)

At the University of  Arkansas, Smith was a two-time consensus All-American selection (1981-82) as a defensive end (he began as a linebacker at Fayetteville) and finished his career with 299 total tackles with 63 going for losses). 

In the NFL, Smith was moved to inside linebacker then later to outside linebacker. 

Here is Smith at LDE in a long-yardage situation in 1983 versus Washington. The interior line is in an "Eagle" front and this presents, essentially a five-man defensive line.

This is Billy Ray in his usual strong-side inside linebacker in the Charger 3-4 scheme.

Again, here in 1985, Smith in the Charger base 3-4 at the strong (Mike) inside linebacker spot.

Smith was a solid player inside (usually he was first- or second in tackles on the Charger defense) but it was 1986 when he moved to a more natural position that he began to really shine. 

Chart credit: PFJ 

In 1986, Smith moved to left outside linebacker and additionally, the Chargers played quite a bit of "Bear" fronts, even on third downs meaning rookie phenom Leslie O'Neal would play over a guard and Smith and right outside linebacker Fred Robinson would provide the outside rush. 

Other times Smith might played LDE in the "Bear" or even the nickel; regardless Smith got to play fast and loose and do what he did in college-—get after the passer and if a run play "showed" he'd stuff it or chase it down from the backside. 

In 1986, in addition to his 11 sacks (second in NFL among linebackers behind Lawrence Taylor) also he caught runners behind the line of scrimmage 15 times—The most in the NFL. 

That "run/pass stuff" is not official just like pre-1982 sacks are not official, but since the early 1990s Stats, LLC., has tracked tackles of running backs for losses. We at Pro Football Journal  (mostly Nick Webster) have taken that category back to the 1980s and in some cases before. So, we know that Smith led the NFL and with his 11 sacks, it makes 22 so-called "tackles for loss"  as the NFL now calls them. 

Why not 26 you ask? Because if a fumble is forced, then that player does not get credit for the tackle for loss, only on sacks when the quarterback does not fumble. (Don't ask us, it's not a really reliable stat).

Smith didn't get to the Pro Bowl in 1986 but likely should have; maybe even should have been All-Pro is was that good of a year. (he was a first alternate to the Pro Bowl and was an alternate in 1987 as well)

In 1987 (after a holdout and then signing a new contract), it was interesting to watch the Chargers defense because Smith dropped more into coverage than in 1986 and in this case, the stats showed it—his sacks dropped from 11.0 to 3.0, but he went from no interceptions to five, the most by any NFL linebacker that year and also led the Chargers squad in picks.

Essentially, Billy Ray went from being a  Lawrence Taylor/Andre Tippett-type linebacker in 1986 to a Wilber Marshall/Seth Joyner/William Thomas-type linebacker in 1987. It was odd to see back-to-back seasons with such extremes in responsibilities by the same player in the same defense with the same defensive coordinator. They did play more 4-3 in 1987 than in 1986, and that accounts for some of that difference.

Smith had a calf injury in 1988 early and then at midseason, he had a hairline fracture of a fibula and missed the rest of the season. He'd been moved to the weak side and with the Chargers still mixing in a lot fo 4-3 looks with the 3-4 he often was the "Will" 'backer as seen here—

This is just another example of the various ways Smith was deployed in his career—Sam, Will, stand-up defensive end, nickel end, inside linebacker he was a Jack of all linebacker trades. 

He came back in 1989 was returned to the left side where he was usually on the tight end side and was a Second-team All-Pro by NEA as a reward for his fine season. 

Here is a shot from 1989 with the Chargers in a 4-3 (O'Neal is at LDE with a hand down) and Smith is the strong-side 'backer.

However, in the 1990s injuries caught up with him and his career was over in short order—playing just one game in 1992 and starting just 3 games the year before and missing a handful of games in 1990 with a serious abdominal strain.

In 1991, though, Smith had one final excellent game versus the Saints, earning him the AFC Defensive Player of the Week award for the second time in his career (he'd won that in week one of 1986) with a pick and a fumble recovery. But he was mostly a backup to Henry Rolling, the new strong-side linebacker. 

In August of 1992, Smith was again battling muscle pulls (as he had in 1988, 1990, and 1991) but when he was healthy he played well in preseason and impressed new head coach Bobby Ross and defensive coordinator (who had coaches Smith's father in Baltimore) who said they planned to keep Billy Ray on the roster as a backup to Henry Rolling and the new superstar Will—Junior Seau. 

However, his body couldn't answer the bell. In February 1993, Smith hung 'em up. 

In today's NFL, Smith would be quite a player because of his variety of skills. He could play base 3-4 or 4-3 defenses, either inside or outside (strong or weak), and could also put his hand in the dirt and rush the edge.

Since he played all those, his stats don't have terrific totals in any particular category; had he been a rusher his whole career he could have been an excellent one, had he played coverage his pick total would be high. i.e. he should he could have great totals in either when called upon.

Certainly, he's not a Hall of Famer, that should be reserved by players who have amassed decent totals of All-Pros and Pro Bowls, have left an impressive statistical trail, looks great on film, and has some impressive intangibles. Smith has the latter two but the stats and honors are lacking.

Nonetheless, the NFL is full of great players who are not quite HOFer, but should be remembered fondly anyway and we do remember his game fondly.

He was a helluva football player. 

'Nickel City' Uniforms in Buffalo? Not Worth a Cent.

 By John Turney  

Well, here we are. A new low. The Bills' "Nickel City" alternat uniforms are here. And they are .. not good. But still, not sure what is worse -- the helmet of the uniform.

Has to be the helmet. They call it the "Charging Helmet," and it is supposed to "boast a mindset of energy, strength, and attack! Yeah, okay.

And here is the rest of the nonsense in the press release -- 

**************

Nickel Gray Foundation

Utilizing an existing brand color, we pull inspiration from the steel mills, grain elevators, and rail yards, which are foundational to our region's place in history.

Blue Collar

A tribute to the blue-collar workers of past & present who represent the strength, work ethic and authenticity of our city.

Left-Chest Charging Buffalo

Positioned close to the heart, the Charging Buffalo placement represents the love we have for our team and the pride so many Bills Legends have shown.

Tone-on-Tone Striping

With the exact stripe weights & ratios as our primary uniform, these tonal stripes are formed under extreme pressure as a sign of strength and durability.

***************

A grey uniform, in theory, is not terrible. It's just not usually a great idea. They can sometimes look good close up, but on the field, they always come across as bland -- with an odd helmet that has a "modern" design. Or a bad design, you choose. 

But reasonable people can disagree; there are undoubtedly some who will like it because it's "Fresh, clean, or fire." Not buying it.

Grade: D-

Rams Reveal Two New Alternate Uniforms

 By John Turney

The Los Angeles Rams continue to "evolve" their on-field identity in 2026. Following the refined primary uniforms revealed in April, the team will showcase two new alternate uniforms at a special event for season ticket members at the YouTube Theater inside SoFi Stadium.

This marks perhaps the last phase of the Rams' 2020 uniform refresh that was dubious in a lot of ways. The Rams started this year's iteration in April with updates delivering a "cleaner, bolder, and more streamlined aesthetic" to the royal blue home and white away looks. It seems "cleaner, bolder" meant fixing the errors introduced in 2020.

The Rams removed chest tags and gradient numbers/pant stripes. Now the numbers on the royal blue jerseys are solid yellow. They also added "full modern ram horn sleeves 

The team retired the polarizing "Bone" alternate, keeping the popular Midnight black Rivalries set in the rotation alongside the refreshed primaries. However, they did not tweak the Ram horn on the helmets, instead using the Fibonacci-style wave horn.

Today, the club added these:

Essentially, they are modern versions of the early 1950s uniforms and the 1960s-early 1970s white-over-white uniforms. They are using the "C" horn, choosing not to do a throwback horn on either kit, but that was expected. Clearly, the Rams are committed to not doing a true throwback.

The 1950s version (they call "Classic Sol") is yellow with blue numerals and an attempt at Northwestern stripes, as much as the jersey cuts will allow. The numbers are block, not rounded. The pants are white with blue and yellow stripes. The helmet is the same as the usual helmet. The odd thing is the socks. They show all white, not blue and that detracts from the look. But no indication if that is official.

White socks are a mistake. Hopefully they will go with blue.

The "milkman" uniforms ("Fearsome White") the Rams wore from 1964-72, jerseys are also block letters (with dark blue and black trim) with a fat shoulder stripe. The nameplate lettering is black and a fat blue stripe on the pants with a dark accent on front of the stripe. 

In the reveal photos, it looks like white socks but like the yellow jersey kit, blue would be better and it seems they can do either. The white mask on the helmet also detracts, but actually, not as much as the ones they wore in the late 2010s. 

Black (maybe a deep blue) nameplate lettering.

Blue numerals with a darker blue and black/deep blue trim.

White facemask on the blue and white helmet

So, there it is: the latest in Rams uniforms. There may be details in coming days. Press released often explain subtle elements so we'll await that, but overall decent attempt, the details a little odd but passable. 

Grade on both: B

Meh. The New Jets White Helmet - Nothing Special

 by John Turney 

The Jets announced an alternative helmet today, an all-white one (white shell and white mask), and it's just average, if that. It seems they will wear it with their all-white uniforms (White outs), given the pictures released. While it might work with a green jersey/white pants, it does nothing to the all-whites. It detracts, even. 

All-white uniforms (helmet, jersey, pants, socks) is the current fad. Most teams think they need one. And ... they don't. Sure, it gives rise to some extra sales, and NFL teams cannot really be faulted for it, but even so, it's not a good look. 

Contrast matters and the white mask does not balance the green lettering. Looks like something dipped in bleach. The white mask does not play off the green stripes and numerals. It's not a good look.

But nothing can stop the "icy" look (all white) but we can still grade them. It's a C at best.

LeRoy Irvin, A Truly Fine Cornerback, Passes Away

By John Turney 

LeRoy Irvin, who was a fine cornerback and elite punt returner who starred for the Los Angeles Rams throughout the 1980s, passed away on July 1, 2026, at age 68. Upon hearing of his friend's death former teammate Pat Thomas said, "LeRoy will always be in our family because he cared so much about his teammates and the game of football. He also brought lots of fun and laughter whenever he was around. Thanks be to God Almighty We will be seeing him again in heavenly places."

Hall-of-Fame running back's thoughts were similar stating he was, "Devastated to hear about the passing of my brother, teammate, and Rams legend Leroy Irvin. "Leroy wasn't just a lockdown corner and a fierce competitor on the field; he was a true friend and a great man who always brought incredible energy. Rest in peace, my brother."

Born September 15, 1957, in Fort Dix, NJ, Irvin grew up in Augusta, GA, where he attended Glenn Hills High School and excelled as a running back. He continued his football career at the University of Kansas as both a cornerback and free safety. He was voted second-team All-Big Eight Conference honors as a defensive back in 1978 and 1979. 

As a senior at Kansas in 1979, Irvin led the Big Eight Conference with 27 punt returns for 321 yards and two touchdowns. He also intercepted five passes that season. Over his four-year career with the Jayhawks, he returned 42 punts for 454 yards and two scores while recording 10 interceptions at cornerback, a total that ties him for fifth in Kansas history.

The Los Angeles Rams selected Irvin in the third round (70th overall) of the 1980 NFL Draft. 

Early on, he made his mark as a versatile defensive back and special teams standout. As a rookie, he played dime back, usually playing a third safety, in the "hole" of the defensive coordinator's "Cover-22 defense" and also backed up the corners and also started a couple of games at left cornerback in place of injured All-Pro Pat Thomas and showed well, foreshadowing things to come.

His role changed some in his second season (1981) as an extra defensive back, but playing the fifth back rather than the sixth for the most part. And with Thomas being injured again, LeRoy got seven starts and, of course, was the team's punt returner. 

He was not able to break plays in the punt return game as a rookie, but in his sophomore season, he earned first-team All-Pro honors as a returner after leading the NFL with 615 punt return yards, a 13.4-yard average, and three touchdowns on 46 returns. 

In Week Four, on Monday Night Football in Chicago, Irvin took a punt back for a touchdown. And it was a big deal. Why? A Rams player had not returned a punt for a touchdown since 1961, some twenty years. Irvin knew about that because Rams coaches would yell that fact at him and the return team. "This team has not taken a back for a TD in twenty years!" they'd say.

Irvin heard and answered. It got better from there. On October 11, 1981, against the Atlanta Falcons, he set the still-standing NFL record with 207 punt return yards in a single game, including two scores of 75 and 84 yards in a 37-35 Rams victory.

The two touchdown returns tied an NFL record and his total of 207 return yards set the league record, one that still stands.

In 1982, he was a nickel back, playing either slot or safety in that role and was a PFWA All-Pro as a punt returner after recording an 11.0 yards per return average and taking his fourth punt to the house.

There were big changes in the Rams' defense going into the 1983 season. The front switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4 and there were two new cornerbacks. Longtime started Pat Thomas and Rod Perry were traded away and the right cornerback position was now Irvin's. It was a soft coverage scheme with Irvin able to lie back and close on balls, suited for his style. Sure, he could cover man-to-man and got very good at it in the mid-to-late 1980s, but with new defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur's design, they wanted to keep things in front of them. They gave up a lot of yards but picked off passes and tried to keep big plays to a minimum.

The first year in the new scheme, he intercepted four passes and forced three fumbles and the Rams earned a Wild Card spot, defeating the Cowboys in Dallas with Irvin picking off a pass and returning it 94 yards, which sealed a 24-17 win.

The next year, Irvin stole five passes and took two to the house. In 1985, he was even better, making second-team All-Pro and going to his first Pro Bowl as a position player. His first-team All-Pro season of 1986 was the pinnacle of his career, one that was a result of hard work and study. 

He was a classic case of a self-made player. He was a good athlete, but not an elite one. Sure, he ran a 4.5 forty and was 5-feet-11, 184 pounds, which is adequate for an NFL corner but not great. He was anticipatory and was a solid hitter and began employing the things Thomas and Perry taught him. Said All-Pro safety Nolan Cromwell, "LeRoy made the most of his abilities and talents. He liked football, loved to practice, and loved the game."

The strike and a short suspension, a dispute about a contract, and a trade demand contributed to a down season for Irvin in 1987. He rebounded in 1988, making the Sports Illustrated All-Pro team selected by Paul Zimmerman, who wrote, "People say that Ram cornerback LeRoy Irvin has lost some speed and is relying on smarts. He looked as good as ever to me. Maybe he's getting a better break on the ball. He isn't troubled by the mistakes that flashier and more highly publicized cornerbacks make."

By 1990, the Rams were ready to move on from Irvin at right cornerback, with 1989 being a less-than-stellar season, missing some games due to an NFL suspension. 

The Rams powers that be left him unprotected and eligible for the Plan B free-agency program that was fairly new at the time. No one picked him up, so he worked out for a handful of teams and in August was signed by the Lions.

After a year in the Motor City, Irvin retired. In February, he was left unprotected by the Lions placing him on the Plan B list and in April, he hung them up, ending his 11-year NFL career. One that resulted in 35 interceptions for 676 yards (19.3 avg.), taking five of them for touchdowns, taking his non-offensive touchdown total to 11 (he returned a blocked kick and a fumble for TDs) which is tied for 14th all time and also the Rams team record.

Other Rams team records are most interceptions returned for touchdowns (tied with Cromwell and Janoris Jenkins) and most punt returns for touchdowns (tied with Henry Ellard)

He was also a practical man. In 1986, he bought a gas station and to make sure his investment was sound, he tried to learn the business from the ground up, pumping gas, cleaning windows, and providing full service at his station. He endured some razzing from team members who would stop in with the expensive cars and make sure Irvin would use the squeegee himself. 

"A lot of guys never think about what comes when their playing days are over," Irvin said at the time. "Then they get pushed up against retirement or being cut, and they're trying to squeeze out another year because there’s nothing else. I don’t want to go that way."

That demonstrates the kind of person Irvin was, earning his way in life, taking advice from others, applying it can it got him an All-Pro NFL career. And a record-setting game. And a positive legacy among his teammates. On of them, Nolan Cromwell, echoes that by saying, "LeRoy had an unwavering dedication both on and off the field. He loved life and kept his connections close. I played with LeRoy in college and with the L.A. Rams, and he was truly a great player and friend. He embraced life wholeheartedly and generously devoted his time to mentoring and helping young athletes. I will miss LeRoy, and he will be greatly missed by many."

Rest in peace, #47, you were a playmaker and widely loved. 

Career stats  

Individual honors

NFL

1981—First-team All-Pro-PR (AP, PFWA, TSN, PFW) ; All-NFC-PR (PFW) and Pro Bowl

1982—First-team All-Pro-PR (PFWA)

1985—Second-team All-Pro (AP); Second-team All-NFC (UPI) and Pro Bowl

1986—First-team All-Pro (AP, PFWA, TSN); First-team All-NFC (UPI) and Pro Bowl

1988—First-team All-Pro (Sports Illustrated)

NCAA

1978—Second-team All-Big 8 (AP, UPI)

1979—Second-team All-Big 8 (AP, UPI)

The All-Military Academy Team of the NFL

 by Jeffrey J. Miller

This team is made up of NFL players who attended military schools of higher learning.  Not necessarily combat veterans or war heroes (though some were), but men who spent all or some part of their college years at a military academy. For the purposes of this exercise, those schools include the United States Military Academy (Army), the United States Naval Academy and the United States Air Force Academy, as well as the United States Coast Guard Academy, the United States Merchant Marine Academy, the Citadel Military College, and the Virginia Military Institute, all of which sent at least one alumnus to the National Football League.  (Though five players from the New Mexico Military Institute have made it to the NFL, the only one to make our military academy honor squad—Roger Staubach—does so representing the Naval Academy.)

This All-Military Academy Team features two legitimate Hall-of-Famers, several All-Pros and a handful of solid veterans who enjoyed lengthy careers in the NFL. Admittedly, the pickins got slim at some positions (particularly at tight end and the defensive secondary), but this effort was still meaningful since for a few of these players, being on this team serves as a reminder to some fans who might have forgotten them (or perhaps never even heard of them).   

 The Offense

QB – Roger Staubach (Navy). By far the NFL’s most recognizable and heralded graduate of a military school, Staubach enjoyed an outstanding career with the Dallas Cowboys after winning the Heisman Trophy as college football’s top player in 1963 and serving a tour of duty in Vietnam. Staubach’s 11-year NFL career was spent entirely with the Cowboys, during which he led the league in passing four times, appeared in six Pro Bowls and won two Super Bowl rings, including one (Super Bowl VI) in which he was voted Most Valuable Player. Staubach was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.  

RB – Stump Mitchell (The Citadel). After a stellar grid career at the Citadel Military College of South Carolina, Mitchell was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the ninth round of the 1981 draft. He rewarded the Cards with nine outstanding years, including a 1,006-yard campaign in 1985 and an 800-yard season a year later.  Mitchell still holds the Citadel records for rushing yards in a single season (1,647) and career (4,062).

 RB – Bob Hoernschemeyer (Navy). After leading the Midshipmen to a 7-1-1 record and a #3 ranking in 1945, Hoernschemeyer forged an impressive ten-year career with the Chicago Rockets, Brooklyn Dodgers and Chicago Hornets of the All-America Football Conference and Detroit Lions of the NFL. It was with the Lions that Hunchy enjoyed his best years, helping the blue and silver win back-to-back NFL Championships in 1952 and 1953, and earning trips to the Pro Bowl in '51 and '52.

WR – Angelo Coia (The Citadel). Selected as a relative afterthought by the Bears in the 20^th round of the 1960 draft, Coia made an immediate impact, catching 25 passes as a rookie for an average 19.1 yards per catch and scoring four touchdowns. He remained with the Bears for four seasons, helping them win the NFL Championship in 1963. He then spent two years with the Redskins and one with the Atlanta Falcons, tallying 20 career touchdowns and an impressive 16.8-yard average in his seven NFL seasons.

WR – Andre Roberts (The Citadel). Roberts was a three-time All Southern Conference selection and two-time FCS All American at the Citadel, and set many school records including most receptions in a season (95) and career (286), receiving yards in a season (1,334) and career (3,743), touchdown receptions in a season (14) and career (37), punt return yards in a season (461) and career (1,160). Though never a consistent starter as a receiver, Roberts managed some fairly productive years early in his career while with the Arizona Cardinals, with 51, 64 and 43 catches in consecutive seasons. It was, however, for his work as a kick returner that Roberts earned three Pro Bowl invitations (2018-20) and a first-team All-Pro nod (2018).  Roberts played for nine different teams (Cardinals, Redskins, Lions, Falcons, Jets, Bills, Texans, Chargers, Panthers) during his 13-year career.

TE – Garrett Griffin (Air Force). Griffin played at the Air Force Academy from 2012 to 2015, finishing his career with 41 catches for 678 yards and 8 touchdowns. He went undrafted in 2016 but was signed to a free agent contract by the New Orleans Saints. He spent the next five seasons with the Saints and scored his first career touchdown in the 2018 NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams. He finished his career in 2021 with the Detroit Lions.

 LT – Alejandro Villanueva (Army). Villanueva played college football at West Point and dutifully fulfilled his service commitment after graduation, eventually attaining the rank of captain and earning a Bronze Star. After three tours of duty in Afghanistan, Villanueva was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles (2014) but was waived prior to the season. He signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and played for them for six seasons, going to the Pro Bowl in 2017 and 2018. He played a final season (2021) with the Baltimore Ravens before announcing his retirement.

LG – Mike Wahle (Navy). Wahle played three years at the Naval Academy before being selected by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 1998 NFL Supplemental Draft.  He put in seven solid years with the Pack but was released after the 2004 season. He was picked up by the Carolina Panthers two days later and rewarded their faith with a Pro Bowl year in 2005. After three years in Carolina, Wahle played his final season (2008) with the Seattle Seahawks. In all, Wahle put in 11 years in the NFL, appearing in 152 regular season games.

C – Tex Coulter (Army).  DeWitt E. “Tex” Coulter (from Fort Worth, Texas) played two seasons of football at the United States Military Academy (1944-45). His pro football sojourn took him through six seasons with the New York Giants and three more with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL. He earned two Pro Bowl invitations at the tackle position with the Giants, but spent a season playing center as well, where he earns a spot on this honor team.

RG – Bob Mischak (Army).  Mischak played under legendary coach Red Blaik at Army before moving on to a seven-year pro career that started with the NFL New York Giants in 1958. That year, he was a starting guard in the NFL championship game against the Baltimore Colts that many historians call “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” In 1960, Mischak signed with the New York Titans of the new American Football League, where he was All-AFL twice (1961 and 1962) and appeared in two AFL All-Star games (same years). He later played three seasons with the Oakland Raiders (1963-65). Mischak was posthumously enshrined into the Army/West Point Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.

RT – Max Lane (Navy).  A three-year starter at the United States Naval Academy, Lane was selected by the New Patriots in the sixth round in 1994. He appeared in 100 games over seven seasons for the Pats. His career included a start in Super Bowl XXXI.

K – Curt Knight (Coast Guard). The only graduate of the Division III Coast Guard Academy to make it to the NFL, Knight etched a nice five-year career, all with the Washington Redskins (1969-73). His best year came in 1971, when he led the NFL in field goals (29) and the National Conference in total points (114), earning first-team All-Pro honors and a trip to the Pro Bowl.

   The Defense

LDE – Larry Cole (Air Force).  Cole played two seasons at the Air Force before transferring to the University of Houston and then Hawai’i, where he became the first player ever drafted out of that school when the Dallas Cowboys tapped him in 16th round (428th overall) of the 1968 draft. Cole went on to play 12 seasons with the ‘boys, appearing in five Super Bowls, winning two. For his career, Cole recorded 59 sacks, 14 fumble recoveries and four defensive touchdowns (three by interception, one by recovered fumble).

 LDT – John Small (The Citadel).  Played collegiately for The Citadel where he was a three-time All-Southern Conference selection as well as a first-team All American in 1969. The Atlanta Falcons drafted Small in the first round in 1970. He played three years with the Falcons and two with the Detroit Lions. He was a member of the inaugural class of the Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame in 1977.

RDT – Chad Hennings (Air Force). Hennings truly put the “force” in Air Force in 1987, being selected a unanimous All-American and winning the Outland Trophy as college football’s top interior lineman. Despite the fact that they would have to wait for Hennings to honor his commitment to the Air Force before he could play in the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys selected him in the eleventh round in 1988. He joined the Cowboys in 1992 and went on to play nine seasons with the team, winning three Super Bowls along the way.

RDE – Ed Sprinkle (Navy). The “other” Pro Football Hall of Famer on this team, Ed Sprinkle was considered by many to be “the meanest man in football” during his playing days. While playing for Navy in 1943, Sprinkle earned All-Eastern honors, but went unselected during the ensuing NFL draft. The man who came to be known as “the Claw” signed a free agent contract with the Chicago Bears, and for 12 seasons made the rest of the league pay for their collective oversight, going to four Pro Bowls and leading the Bears to the NFL Title in 1946.  He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.

LLB – Joe Fortunato (VMI). As of this writing, only 14 players from the Virginia Military Institute have gone on the play in the National Football League.  By far, the most successful of these has been Joe Fortunato, who wound up playing 12 seasons with the Chicago Bears, being named All-Pro three times, appearing in five Pro Bowls, and winning an NFL Championship in 1963. The Professional Football Researchers Association named him to their Hall of Very Good in 2017.

ILB – Joe Rizzo (Merchant Marine). To date, Rizzo is one of only three Merchant Marine alumni (yes, they have a team—the Mariners—that plays Division III football) to reach the NFL.  He played for the Denver Broncos his entire seven-year career (1974-80), including four as a starter during which he was a key contributor to the Broncos’ legendary Orange Crush defense that led them to Super Bowl XII.

RLB – Ron George (Air Force).  A native of Heidelberg, Germany, George started his college career at the Air Force Academy before transferring to Stanford.  He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the 5th round in 1993. Though he was never a star, playing primarily on special teams, George did enjoy one of his eight NFL seasons as a first-stringer (1996 with Atlanta).  He spent four years with the Falcons, one with the Minnesota Vikings and three with the Kansas City Chiefs.

LCB – Cortez Allen (The Citadel). After an outstanding collegiate career at the Citadel in which he twice earned second-team All-Southern Conference honors (2009 and 2010), the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Allen in the fourth round (128th overall) of the 2011 NFL draft.  Though he never attained the superstar status expected of him, Allen played five seasons in Steeltown, appearing in 56 games, 18 as a starter. He racked up six career interceptions, returning one for a touchdown.

RCB – Corey Harris (The Citadel). Harris played two years at the Citadel (1995-96) before transferring to play his final two college years at North Alabama. He went undrafted in 1999 but signed on with the New Orleans Saints, for whom he played sparingly over two seasons (six games, one start).  He then moved on to Kansas City where he played in just 21 games in three seasons with the Chiefs.  He also spent some time with the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe.

SS – Jeromy Miles (Navy). Miles transferred to the University of Massachusetts after playing one year (2009) at the Naval Academy.  He went unpicked in the 2010 NFL draft and signed a free agent contract to play for Cincinnati Bengals, with whom he spent his first three NFL seasons primarily as a special teams performer.  He finished his career playing two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. He played in 67 games during his five-year NFL career, starting three.

     

FS – Alohi Gilman (Navy).  Gilman played just one year—his freshman season—at Navy before transferring to Notre Dame. Still, he appeared in all 14 games for the Midshipman that year, registering 76 tackles and being named honorable mention All-American Athletic Conference. The Los Angeles Chargers picked him in the sixth round of the 2020 draft. He spent his first five and a half seasons with the Chargers before being traded to the Baltimore Ravens midway through 2025. He signed a free agent contract to play with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2026.  The only player on this honor squad still active in the league, Gilman has five career interceptions and six fumble recoveries.

P – Paul Maguire (The Citadel). Perhaps best known for his time spent as a very colorful commentator on NFL broadcasts with ABC, CBS and ESPN networks, some younger fans might have been surprised to learn that not only was Maguire a pretty good football player in his day, but that his collegiate years were spent at a military academy—the Citadel Military College! He forged a distinguished career across 11 pro seasons (four with the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers and seven with the Buffalo Bills) in which he played in six of the ten total American Football League Championship Games, winning three (San Diego in 1963, Buffalo in 1964 and ’65). Not just a punter, Maguire was voted to the 1963 AFL All-Star Game as a linebacker. He was one of only twenty players who were in the AFL for its entire ten-year existence. He was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.

Team representation

Navy – 7

The Citadel – 7

Air Force – 4

Army - 3

VMI - 1

Merchant Marine - 1

Coast Guard - 1