Joe Rutgens earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors as a star defensive tackle in 1959 and 1960, and First-Team All-America recognition in 1960 playing under legendary coaches Ray Eliot and Pete Elliott. He was named Illinois's Most Valuable Player in 1960 as a senior. Rutgens was drafted in the first round of the 1961 NFL Draft as the third overall pick by Washington and played for the Redskins from 1961-69. Rutgens was selected to play in two Pro Bowls (1963 and 1965) during his NFL career. He was also picked in the first round (fourth overall) of the 1961 AFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders when each league had a separate draft. In 2008, Rutgens was selected as one of the top 10 defensive linemen in Illinois football history and in 2024 he was named one of the top 10 defensive linemen in the history of the Washington Commanders, where he totaled 40 sacks during his career.