Sept. 2, 2008
University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) officials announced today that Fighting Illini greats Jeff George, Mike Gow and Walter Young will return to Champaign-Urbana for the Illinois Renaissance celebration game against Eastern Illinois Sept. 6. The trio joins a long 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 is an honor to be named one of the best in the history and great tradition of Illinois football," George said. "It excites me to be able to come back and visit with my teammates as well as past players that helped the U of I excel in football for so many years."
George is the only Illinois player ever to be taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, as the Indianapolis Colts selected him first overall in 1990. He was a two-time All-American in 1988-89 and held the school record for the most touchdown passes in a season for 10 years. He ranks sixth in career passing yardage despite playing only two seasons at Illinois and his five touchdown passes against Indiana Nov. 18, 1989, still rank as the second-highest total in a game in Illini history.
"It's a tremendous honor to be one of the top 10 defensive backs in Illinois history," Gow said. "I just feel very fortunate because I was coached by J.C. Caroline. He gave me all the tools to do what I did. You look at the list of those names and to be a part of that is a staggering thing to think about."
Gow was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 1973 and a second-team pick in 1974. His 19 interceptions in three seasons rank second in Illinois history, and his 10 picks in 1973 also ranks third. He holds the single-game interceptions record with four picks at Stanford Sept. 21, 1974.
"It really means a lot to be a part of such a list of great players from a great football program," Young said. "I am very excited to get back to Champaign not only to see the players who have come before me and paved the way at Illinois, but also to meet the current players that will carry on the tradition of Illinois Football."
Young ranks third on Illinois' career receiving yardage and touchdowns record lists and fifth on the career receptions list. He was a key target en route to both the 1999 MicronPC.com Bowl and the 2002 Nokia Sugar Bowl and was an All-Big Ten selection in 2002. Young was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in 2003 and played in Super Bowl XXXVIII.
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 breaks 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.
The growing list of Fighting Illini greats slated to attend the Sept. 6 Renaissance Celebration:
- Dan Beaver, PK, 1973-76
- Mike Bellamy, WR, 1988-89
- Darrick Brownlow, LB, 1987-90
- Dick Butkus, LB, 1962-64
- Mark Butkus, DT, 1980-83
- J.C. Caroline, RB, 1953-54
- Scott Davis, DE, 1983-87
- Dave Diehl, OL, 1999-2002
- Doug Dieken, TE, 1968-70
- Ken Dilger, TE, 1991-94
- Jeff George, QB, 1988-89
- Mike Gow, DB, 1972-74
- Jim Grabowski, RB, 1963-65
- Chris Green, DB, 1987-90
- Howard Griffith, RB, 1987-90
- Kevin Hardy, LB, 1992-95
- Brad Hopkins, OT, 1990-92
- Dana Howard, LB, 1991-94
- Jim Juriga, OG, 1982-85
- Kurt Kittner, QB, 1998-2001
- Rich Kreitling, WR, 1957-58
- Adam Lingner, LS, 1979-82
- Mike Martin, WR, 1980-82
- Larry McCarren, C, 1970-72
- Ed O'Bradovich, DL, 1959-60
- Tommy O'Connell, QB, 1951-52
- Joe Rutgens, DL, 1958-60
- Tim Simpson, OG, 1988-91
- Revie Sorey, OG, 1972-74
- Craig Swoope, DB, 1982-85
- Don Thorp, DL, 1980-83
- Jack Trudeau, QB, 1983-85
- Jason Verduzco, QB, 1989-92
- Chris White, PK, 1983-85l
- David Williams, WR, 1983-85
- John Wright Sr., WR, 1965-67
- Walter Young, WR, 1999-2002
