SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) -Former Notre Dame defensive tackle Chris Zorich still can’t believe he’s in the College Football Hall of Fame.
The 1990 Lombardi Award winner as the nation’s top college lineman looks at some of the other members of the class to be enshrined along with him Saturday night – Penn State coach Joe Paterno, 1984 Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie and ’89 Heisman runner-up Anthony Thompson – and finds it hard to believe he’s being honored with them.
“It’s really a dream come true,” said Zorich, the youngest member of the class at age 39. “These are the greats who made college football. … So having a chance to be associated with these guys is terrific.”
It’s a feeling shared by others in the class.
“It’s such an honor just to be here around all these college greats and pro greats,” Thompson said.
I in 1988-89 and had 34 sacks in 20 games, said he never dreamed of making it to the Hall.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Randle, who went on to play 11 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and three with the Seattle Seahawks. “I just played football because it was fun. I never thought this would happen.”
Also being enshrined are Mount Union quarterback Jim Ballard; Oklahoma center Tom Brahaney; Michigan defensive back Dave Brown; Clemson linebacker Jeff Davis; Texas defensive back Johnnie Johnson; Ohio State quarterback Rex Kern; North Alabama linebacker Ronald McKinnon; Oregon running back Ahmad Rashad; McMurry halfback Brad Rowland; Houston defensive tackle Wilson Whitley; Dartmouth linebacker Reggie Williams; and Southern California linebacker Richard Wood.
Coaches being enshrined along with Paterno are Central Michigan coach Herb Deromedi, Jackson State coach W.C. Gorden, and Doug Porter, who coached at Mississippi Valley State, Howard and Fort Valley State.
The day began with a parade, followed by a flag football game the East won 28-24 when Flutie threw for three touchdowns, ran for another and intercepted a pass by Ballard at the goal line.
Zorich said hanging out with fellow honorees is like being a fan who sneaked into the locker room of his favorite team.
“It’s really a mind-blowing experience,” he said.
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