Former Auburn football stars that have made a tremendous impact in the NFLFew schools can boast having produced the incredible line of running backs that the Tiger program has produced through the years. The University has also impacted the Rookie of the Year and NFL MVP awards and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Auburn Tigers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Frank Gatski (1985)The former NFL center who played 12 years of pro football for the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions is the only Auburn Tiger that has been enshrined (1985) into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Gatski was First-Team All-Pro three times and his teams went to the league title games in 11 of his 12 seasons. Gatski’s NFL career spanned from 1946-57. Gatski died November 22, 2005.
Kevin Greene (2016)
This former NFL sack artist has been elected into the 2016 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class. It marks the first time in more than 30 years that a former Auburn Tiger has been honored with his bust in Canton, Ohio.
| Cam Newton: A record-setting NFL quarterback |
selected by the Carolina Panthers with the first pick of the 2011 NFL Draft.
2011 NFL Rookie of the Year: Newton became the obvious choice for Rookie of the Year honors by assaulting the NFL record books. 2011 highlights include Newton becoming:
- First rookie to throw for 400+ yards in his first career game (422),
- Set the all-time NFL rushing TD record for quarterbacks with 14.
- Became just the 4th QB in NFL history to pass for over 3000 yards his rookie year as he joined
Peyton Manning, Matt Ryan and Sam Bradford in that club. - Set the all-time Rookie passing yards mark with 4,051 yards.
Auburn University a.k.a. Running Back U
An incredible line of running backs have emerged from the Plains to the NFL where they have impacted individual franchise and NFL record books. The former Tiger stars earned great nicknames such as "Cadillac,", "Little Train,"
Bo," the "Auburn Rambler"and more.
Willie Anderson
Anderson entered the NFL as a 1996 1st round draft choice (10th overall) of the Cincinnati Bengals. The former Plainsmen didn’t disappoint as he anchored offensive lines for 13 seasons while earning four Pro Bowl trips and being named All-Pro four times. The Mobile, AL native played all but one of his NFL seasons for the Bengals and finished his career with Baltimore in 2008.
William Andrews
Andrews was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round (79th overall selection) of the 1979 NFL Draft. Andrews hit the ground running in his inaugural game by rushing for 167 yards against the New Orleans Saints. The Thomasville, GA native rushed for 1,023 yards that season and made the NFL’s All- Rookie team in 1979. Andrews continued to excel through the first five years of his career before a serious knee injury knocked him out of action for two seasons. The former Auburn Tiger returned for the 1986 season, but that was his final season. Andrews retired with 5,986 rushing yards and a franchise leading 8,633 yards from scrimmage.
Career achievements include:
Beasley was a 6th round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 1998 and earned the reputation as the best blocking fullback in the NFL. Beasley was a one-time Pro Bowl selection and earned All-Pro honors twice before being released by the 49ers following the 2005 season.
James Brooks
Brooks entered pro football as a 1st round draft pick (24 overall) of the San Diego Chargers in the 1981 NFL Draft. Before his career ended 12 seasons later, Brooks was a 4-time Pro Bowler and had played with four different franchises. The Warner Robins, GA native best years were with the Cincinnati Bengals for whom he played for from 1984-91. Brooks excelled as an all-purpose player with excellent rushing, receiving and return skills. The former Tiger back retired as Cincinnati’s all-time leading rusher and totaled 7,962 rushing yards, 3,621 receiving yards, 565 punt return yards and 2,762 yards on kickoff returns. Brooks retired in 1992 after one season in Tampa Bay.
Ronnie Brown
Brown was the 2nd overall pick of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. In his career, Brown has earned one Pro Bowl selection following the 1998 season.
Joe Cribbs
Cribbs was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 2nd round of the 1980 NFL Draft. After a sensational rookie season, Cribbs was the only first-year player to earn starter status in the Pro Bowl after rushing for 1,185 yards and 11 TD’s. The former Auburn back played pro football through 1988 after playing for the Colts and Dolphins that season. Cribbs earned Pro Bowl appearances in 1980, 81 and 83.
Stephen Davis
Davis entered the NFL as a 4th round draft selection of the Washington Redskins in 1996. The former two-time All-SEC performer’s pro career spanned 11 seasons and also included stints with Carolina and St. Louis where he retired after the 2006 season. When Davis’ career came to a close he led all former Auburn running backs in career NFL rushing yards (8,052) and rushing TD’s (65).
Career highlights included:
After earning All-American and Heisman runner up status at Auburn in 1964, Frederickson was the overall number one pick in the 1965 NFL Draft when he was selected by the NY Giants. Frederickson earned one Pro Bowl season in 1965 before a knee injury forced his retirement in 1971.
Brent Fullwood
Fullwood was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the overall 4th pick of 1987 NFL Draft. The 1986 Consensus All-American played four seasons in the NFL and earned Pro Bowl honors in 1989 when he led the Packers in rushing with 821 yards.
Lionel James
James joined the NFL’s San Diego Chargers as a 5th round draft choice of the franchise. Known as the ‘Little Train’, James played all five of his NFL seasons with the Chargers. In 1985 James set a then-NFL single season record for receiving yards (1,027) by a running back and all-purpose yards (2,535).
Bo Jackson
After winning the 1985 Heisman Trophy, Jackson was drafted by Tampa Bay with the first overall selection of the 1986 draft. However he decided to played baseball for the Kansas City Royals instead. When the Buccaneers failed to sign him, Jackson’s name was reentered into the NFL Draft where the Los Angeles Raiders picked him in the 7th round.
Jackson joined the Raiders midway through the 1987 season and generated some sensational moments before a hip injury ended his NFL career. Jackson rushed for 221 yards against Seattle that season to set a Monday Night Football rushing record.
Jackson’s hip injury forced him out of football in 1990 and despite having artificial hip surgery, Jackson returned to a productive baseball career that lasted through the 1994 season.
Rudi Johnson
After being the SEC Player of the Year in 2000, Rudi Johnson entered the NFL as a 4th round draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals. After backing up Corey Dillon for two seasons, Johnson emerged to be one of the best backs in the league. By the 2004 season Johnson was the full-season starter and rushed for a franchise-record 1,454 yards while also scoring 12 times. Those stats enabled Johnson to earn a Pro Bowl berth that season. After playing with Cincinnati for seven seasons, Johnson finished his career with a final season in Detroit. The former “Auburn Rambler” retired with 5,979 rushing yards and 49 TD’s.
Tony Richardson
Although Richardson had to make an NFL roster as an undrafted free agent in 1994, he is considered one of the best blocking fullbacks in the history of the NFL. The former Auburn Tiger had stints with Dallas, Kansas City, Minnesota and the NY Jets. It was with the Chiefs and the Vikings where Richardson made his biggest impact. While excelling as a blocker, Richardon’s teams finished fifth or higher in league rushing sevent times. Richardson was a 3-time Pro Bowl selection and earned All Pro honors twice.
Carnell Cadillac Williams
After fellow Auburn backfield mate Ronnie Brown was drafted 2nd overall in the 2005 NFL Draft, Williams was selected with the 5th overall pick by Tampa Bay. Williams paid quick dividends as he was named the NFL’s Rookie of the Week for the first three weeks of the season. ‘Cadillac’ won AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors with 1,178 yards and six TD’s. Since that spectacular rookie season, Williams has been plagued with injuries and played the 2011 season in St. Louis.
Anderson entered the NFL as a 1996 1st round draft choice (10th overall) of the Cincinnati Bengals. The former Plainsmen didn’t disappoint as he anchored offensive lines for 13 seasons while earning four Pro Bowl trips and being named All-Pro four times. The Mobile, AL native played all but one of his NFL seasons for the Bengals and finished his career with Baltimore in 2008.
William Andrews
Andrews was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round (79th overall selection) of the 1979 NFL Draft. Andrews hit the ground running in his inaugural game by rushing for 167 yards against the New Orleans Saints. The Thomasville, GA native rushed for 1,023 yards that season and made the NFL’s All- Rookie team in 1979. Andrews continued to excel through the first five years of his career before a serious knee injury knocked him out of action for two seasons. The former Auburn Tiger returned for the 1986 season, but that was his final season. Andrews retired with 5,986 rushing yards and a franchise leading 8,633 yards from scrimmage.
Career achievements include:
- 4-time Pro Bowl Selection
- 1st Team All-Pro (Sporting News and NEA) 1983
- Atlanta Falcons retired his #31 jersey
Beasley was a 6th round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 1998 and earned the reputation as the best blocking fullback in the NFL. Beasley was a one-time Pro Bowl selection and earned All-Pro honors twice before being released by the 49ers following the 2005 season.
James Brooks
Brooks entered pro football as a 1st round draft pick (24 overall) of the San Diego Chargers in the 1981 NFL Draft. Before his career ended 12 seasons later, Brooks was a 4-time Pro Bowler and had played with four different franchises. The Warner Robins, GA native best years were with the Cincinnati Bengals for whom he played for from 1984-91. Brooks excelled as an all-purpose player with excellent rushing, receiving and return skills. The former Tiger back retired as Cincinnati’s all-time leading rusher and totaled 7,962 rushing yards, 3,621 receiving yards, 565 punt return yards and 2,762 yards on kickoff returns. Brooks retired in 1992 after one season in Tampa Bay.
Ronnie Brown
Brown was the 2nd overall pick of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. In his career, Brown has earned one Pro Bowl selection following the 1998 season.
Joe Cribbs
Cribbs was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 2nd round of the 1980 NFL Draft. After a sensational rookie season, Cribbs was the only first-year player to earn starter status in the Pro Bowl after rushing for 1,185 yards and 11 TD’s. The former Auburn back played pro football through 1988 after playing for the Colts and Dolphins that season. Cribbs earned Pro Bowl appearances in 1980, 81 and 83.
Stephen Davis
Davis entered the NFL as a 4th round draft selection of the Washington Redskins in 1996. The former two-time All-SEC performer’s pro career spanned 11 seasons and also included stints with Carolina and St. Louis where he retired after the 2006 season. When Davis’ career came to a close he led all former Auburn running backs in career NFL rushing yards (8,052) and rushing TD’s (65).
Career highlights included:
- 3-time Pro Bowl selection
- 1-time All-Pro selection
- Led NFL in rushing TD’s with 17 in 1999.
After earning All-American and Heisman runner up status at Auburn in 1964, Frederickson was the overall number one pick in the 1965 NFL Draft when he was selected by the NY Giants. Frederickson earned one Pro Bowl season in 1965 before a knee injury forced his retirement in 1971.
Brent Fullwood
Fullwood was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the overall 4th pick of 1987 NFL Draft. The 1986 Consensus All-American played four seasons in the NFL and earned Pro Bowl honors in 1989 when he led the Packers in rushing with 821 yards.
Lionel James
James joined the NFL’s San Diego Chargers as a 5th round draft choice of the franchise. Known as the ‘Little Train’, James played all five of his NFL seasons with the Chargers. In 1985 James set a then-NFL single season record for receiving yards (1,027) by a running back and all-purpose yards (2,535).
Bo Jackson
After winning the 1985 Heisman Trophy, Jackson was drafted by Tampa Bay with the first overall selection of the 1986 draft. However he decided to played baseball for the Kansas City Royals instead. When the Buccaneers failed to sign him, Jackson’s name was reentered into the NFL Draft where the Los Angeles Raiders picked him in the 7th round.
Jackson joined the Raiders midway through the 1987 season and generated some sensational moments before a hip injury ended his NFL career. Jackson rushed for 221 yards against Seattle that season to set a Monday Night Football rushing record.
Jackson’s hip injury forced him out of football in 1990 and despite having artificial hip surgery, Jackson returned to a productive baseball career that lasted through the 1994 season.
Rudi Johnson
After being the SEC Player of the Year in 2000, Rudi Johnson entered the NFL as a 4th round draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals. After backing up Corey Dillon for two seasons, Johnson emerged to be one of the best backs in the league. By the 2004 season Johnson was the full-season starter and rushed for a franchise-record 1,454 yards while also scoring 12 times. Those stats enabled Johnson to earn a Pro Bowl berth that season. After playing with Cincinnati for seven seasons, Johnson finished his career with a final season in Detroit. The former “Auburn Rambler” retired with 5,979 rushing yards and 49 TD’s.
Tony Richardson
Although Richardson had to make an NFL roster as an undrafted free agent in 1994, he is considered one of the best blocking fullbacks in the history of the NFL. The former Auburn Tiger had stints with Dallas, Kansas City, Minnesota and the NY Jets. It was with the Chiefs and the Vikings where Richardson made his biggest impact. While excelling as a blocker, Richardon’s teams finished fifth or higher in league rushing sevent times. Richardson was a 3-time Pro Bowl selection and earned All Pro honors twice.
Carnell Cadillac Williams
After fellow Auburn backfield mate Ronnie Brown was drafted 2nd overall in the 2005 NFL Draft, Williams was selected with the 5th overall pick by Tampa Bay. Williams paid quick dividends as he was named the NFL’s Rookie of the Week for the first three weeks of the season. ‘Cadillac’ won AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors with 1,178 yards and six TD’s. Since that spectacular rookie season, Williams has been plagued with injuries and played the 2011 season in St. Louis.
Top Auburn NFL Defensive Stars
Kevin Greene
The former Auburn walk-on who won the 1984 Zeke Smith Award as the Defensive Player of the Year entered the NFL as a 5th round draft choice of the Los Angeles Rams in 1985. Greene played for 4 teams throughout his 15-year career that included stints with the Rams, Steelers, Panthers, 49ers and then the Panthers again for his last two seasons. Greene positioned himself for Pro Football Hall of Fame consideration with the following achievements:
Kevin Greene
The former Auburn walk-on who won the 1984 Zeke Smith Award as the Defensive Player of the Year entered the NFL as a 5th round draft choice of the Los Angeles Rams in 1985. Greene played for 4 teams throughout his 15-year career that included stints with the Rams, Steelers, Panthers, 49ers and then the Panthers again for his last two seasons. Greene positioned himself for Pro Football Hall of Fame consideration with the following achievements:
- Was in the NFL’s top 10 in sacks for 10 seasons.
- Led his team in sacks 11 of his 15 seasons.
- 5-time Pro Bowl selection
- 3-time First-Team All-Pro selection
- NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
- 1996 NEA NFL Defensive Player of the Year
| Auburn Tigers Retired Football
Jersey Numbers In the history of Auburn Tigers football, three football jersey numbers have been retired. |
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| Auburn Tigers Jersey No. 88 Worn by Auburn WR Terry Beasley was Pat Sullivan's favorite target and was an All-American in 1970 and 1971 |
Auburn Tigers Jersey No. 7 Worn by Auburn QB Pat Sullivan who won the Heisman Trophy in 1971 |
Auburn Tigers Jersey No. 34 Worn by Auburn RB Bo Jackson who rushed for 1,786 yards while running for the 1985 Heisman Trophy |
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