Putting together an Arizona Football Mount Rushmore
With the 2020 Arizona Football season still months away, we figured we’d help pass the time by putting together an Arizona Football Mount Rushmore.
Who doesn’t love a good debate, especially when it involves Arizona Athletics, and more specifically, Arizona Football?
Well, with the current status of things, we felt it would be fun to start a hypothetical discussion regarding an ‘Arizona Football Mount Rushmore’.
Arizona Wildcats
Now I know it may seem a bit odd to some, considering Arizona doesn’t have the rich history that some other programs have had, however, I still feel there have been plenty of players to come through Tucson that have dazzled us, inspired us, and made us fans!
For that, why not create our very own Rushmore. Please keep in mind this is purely opinionated, and may not actually reflect what the school would decide, if there were ever to be one.
With that said, here’s who we’ve got and why.
John ‘Button’ Salmon
Quaterback- Virtually the face of not only the program, but perhaps the entire school and athletic department, having John ‘Button’ Salmon on this list to me is a no brainer.
He may not have the stats like some of the other numerous Wildcat greats, however, he embodied the fighting spirit of the Wildcats that lives on.
We all know the story, but Salmon was a popular student that not only played football and baseball, he was also the student body President. While driving back to Tucson from Phoenix, Salmon crashed and immediately was admitted to the hospital.
With declining health, he told his then head coach, J.F. “Pop” McKale to relay a message to the team just before his untimely passing. That message of course was to “tell the team to Bear Down”.
From there his legend was born, and because of his impact, he is on our Arizona Football Rushmore.
https://twitter.com/CoachDeVan/status/1098299740406464512?s=20
Ricky Hunley
Linebacker – He was basically the Desert Swarm era before the actual Desert Swarm era. I know some will disagree with this pick here, but Ricky Hunley is in my opinion the best defensive player while at Arizona.
He holds the record for most tackles with 566 in total, and has two seasons in which he finished Top 10 in school history for most tackles in a single season 176 (5) and 173 (8). Ricky is just one of seven Arizona players to have his number retired and deservedly so.
The guy was Arizona Football back in the day and can still be remembered as one of the greatest Cats of all time. That’s why he joins our list!
Art Luppino
Running Back – Known to many as the “Cactus Comet”, Art Luppino is one of the few players in program history to have his number retired, and is actually the only player whose jersey can’t be worn by a current player.
As a sophomore and junior, Art led the nation in rushing yards in 1954 and 1955, and he was the first player ever to do it two years in a row!
He amassed 3381 career yards and set national rushing records, as well as school records that still stand today! Touchdowns in a season – 24 (tied with Ka’Deem Carey), and touchdowns in a game – 5 (also tied with Ka’Deem Carey).
Need any more reason why Art Luppino should be on the Arizona Football Mount Rushmore? Well, the Luppino/ “Dio De Los Muertos” inspired mural sits outside Arizona Stadium today, further cementing his legacy with the program!
https://twitter.com/AZATHLETICS/status/1173759369818755073?s=20
Rob Gronkowski
Tight End – In my opinion, Rob Gronkowski is the best football player ever to come out of Arizona. I don’t care if you don’t agree with the selection, however, I feel there’s no debating the previous sentence.
He only played two seasons, while sitting out his junior due to a back injury, regardless, he is the “face” of Arizona Football if you will. He had a huge impact in the league, and was probably one of the most polarizing figures while in the NFL.
On the field he was dominant here albeit perhaps being brief, and because of his impact on the game, he is on my Arizona Football Mount Rushmore.
Honorable Mention:
For the record, this was not easy, but a few we unfortunately could not fit on the Arizona Football Mount Rushmore would be; Chuck Cecil, Tedy Bruschi, Antoine Cason, Nick Foles and Ka’Deem Carey.
On Arizona Football. light. More
Anyways, those are just our selections? Who would yours be? Let us know on Twitter and Facebook! As always, Bear Down, Arizona!