July 18, 2008

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics officials announced Friday that Fighting Illini great Joe Rutgens will return to Champaign-Urbana for the Illinois Renaissance Celebration Game against Eastern Illinois on Sept. 6. Rutgens joins linebacker Dana Howard on the list of legendary Illinois players who will be on hand for the 2008 home opener, when fans will get their first look at the newly finished stadium.

"It's a great honor to be recognized as one of the top 10 to play defensive line for the University of Illinois," Rutgens said. "I feel excited about being there. I noticed that there will be a lot of guys who I haven't seen for a while who I played with at Illinois, and with and against in the pros, so I'm looking forward to it."

Rutgens was selected as one of the 10 greatest defensive linemen in Memorial Stadium history as released by the DIA on June 6. A large number of the Fighting Illini greats already have indicated they will be returning to campus for the event and their names will be announced as the game draws near.

Rutgens was an All-American in 1960 and was a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the Associated Press in 1959 and 1960. He also was a second-team All-Big Ten pick by United Press in both 1959 and 1960.

However, Rutgens is best known as one of the highest draft picks in Illinois history, as he was selected by the Washington Redskins with the No. 3 overall pick in the 1961 NFL Draft. He also was selected fourth overall by the Oakland Raiders in the 1961 AFL Draft, but signed with the Redskins and played nine years with the squad. He was selected to two Pro Bowls during his career.

The Illinois Renaissance Celebration will be highlighted by the return of a multitude of former Fighting Illini players, with the list of 10 Greatest Illini in Memorial Stadium history at each position being honored during eight timeouts throughout the game. The current team also will honor past greats by donning throwback uniforms modeled in the style of the Dick Butkus era. Illinois will take on Eastern Illinois Sept. 6 at 11 a.m. The game will be nationally televised by the Big Ten Network.