The 2020 story of Red Grange's legendary No. 77 jersey began with a simple email from ESPN producer Amanda Braunlich.
"I work with the ESPN production team that is putting together the National Championship Game Halftime Show in which we are honoring the top 11 players of the last 150 years of College Football. We are trying to get all the top players or their family representatives, who are attending, to wear vintage jerseys from their playing days as they are recognized on stage. Reaching out to see if you have a vintage Illinois jersey of Red Grange, who will be represented by his cousin, that we could utilize during the ceremony on January 13th in New Orleans, Louisiana."
The simple answer to her question is, "Yes, we do have Red Grange's jersey." But, the more complicated answer is that we had no interest in shipping the artifact … Grange's No. 77 blue jersey, which is arguably the University of Illinois's most valuable historical item, or letting it leave our possession. After some quick discussions on Tuesday morning, a decision was made to hand-deliver the jersey for this uniquely special honor. Red's jersey simply needed to be in attendance.
Following Red's final game on Nov. 21, 1925 when the Illini defeated Ohio State at Columbus, Hall of Fame Coach Bob Zuppke and Athletics Director George Huff decided Grange's No. 77 would be retired and that no Illini football player would sport that number again. His uniforms were stored for decades in the Illinois football equipment room at Memorial Stadium, with one going to the College Football Hall of Fame, where Grange was a charter member in 1951, and the other displayed in the football complex starting in 1986. Today, the jersey still on campus is displayed at the Smith Football Center.
It only seems fitting that at halftime of the College Football Playoff Championship Game in the 150th anniversary season of college football, Red Grange's jersey should make another, and probably last, appearance on the football field. This time, Grange cousin Heather Morningstar, represented Red on the Mercedez-Benz Superdome field when Grange was again immortalized as one of the game's all-time greats, ranking sixth on the star-studded list. Among the Top 11, only Jim Thorpe, who finished his collegiate career at Carlisle in 1912, played prior to Grange.
It's not if Grange needs more validation as one of the all-time greats. He was a three-time All-American, a charter member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame, named to every All-Century team and now to the all-time 150 team. He was the game's first true transcendent superstar and remains an icon yet today.
After a full day of travel, the jersey was hand delivered to the ESPN crew at the Superdome on Monday, Jan. 13 for this momentous occasion. It was presented with pride by Morningstar in front of tens of thousands at the game and millions watching on television. Maybe more impressively was the reaction by the other living members of the all-time team when they saw and felt the Grange jersey. After the halftime presentation, No. 77 was packed up for the return trip to Champaign on Jan. 14, back to the Smith Center Display where it will stand proud.
Almost as impressive was the fact that former Illini linebacker Dick Butkus was ranked eighth on the list, making Illinois the only school to have two players on the all-time team. Butkus's ranking placed him atop all other defensive players in the history of the game … a fact that Fighting Illini fans have known for decades. Unfortunately, a conflict prevented Butkus from joining the illustrious group on the stage Monday night in New Orleans. But, as Illini fans are aware, Dick Butkus, in the form of his statue, looms large over Fourth Street in Champaign, guarding the entrance to the Smith Football Center.
What a night for college football. What a night for Fighting Illini football. The No. 77 will forever hold a special spot in the history of the Illinois program as well as the history of the game.Â
