North Carolina State University Athletics
Pack Feedback Update: Fans Speak Up About 50th Anniversary Team
6/28/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
June 28, 2002
More on the ACC's 50th Anniversary
On Thursday, we asked you to nominate the three NC State players that you felt were most deserving of a spot on the ACC 50th Anniversary Football Team, which will be released next month. We at Gopack.com have collected your feedback and also have a running tally on the players who received the most votes.
Overall Vote Tally As Of 6/30/02 (10:00 p.m.)
1. Ted Brown (59)
2. Torry Holt (53)
3. Roman Gabriel (52)
4. Jim Ritcher (33)
5. Dick Christy (7)
6. Dennis Byrd (3)
7. Bill Cowher (2)
8. Johnny Evans (2)
9. Joe McIntosh (3)
10. Ray Agnew (1)
11. Chuck Amato (1)
12. Jesse Campbell (1)
13. Mike Quick (2)
14. Philip Rivers (1)
15. Levar Fisher (1)
16. Koren Robinson (1)
17. Naz Worthen (1)
18. Willie Burden (1)
Here's just a random sampling of some of the responses we received:
From Glen C.:
3 Players for 50th AnniversaryTeam:
Jim Ritcher (Center) - Outland Trophy Winner
Ted Brown (RB) - All time leading rusher NC State
Torry Holt (E)- All time leading receiver, 1st Team All-American
From Joe Davis:
Nominees for 50th Anniversary Team:
1. Roman Gabriel: No explanation required.
2. Ted Brown: The best thing we had going during the Holtz years. Penn State players claimed he was as good as Dorsett. Maybe an exaggeration but not that far off.
3. Torry Holt: He broke Florida State's back for our first win against them.
From Richard Law:
Three Nominations for ACC 5oth Anniversary Football team.
Ted Brown, for obvious reasons
Jim Ritcher - For his performance on and off the field.
Johnny Evans - For his ability to pull out incredible plays, especially the 3rd down quick against Penn State.
From James Johnson:
Torry Holt - Gamebreaker at wideout and as a kick returner. Great person as well as player.
Roman Gabriel - All American QB who got things done on the field as well as in the classroom.
Jim Ritcher - Dominating OL, went on to a good pro career with the Bills.
From Stanley Lloyd:
My picks for the 50th anniversary team:
Chuck Amato: He is known for his leadership in the Pack's White Shoes Defense. He also had many years of success as an assistant coach at Florida State. He has come back to NC State as Head Coach and has turned the program around and put high hopes in the eyes and the Pack and their fans.
Bill Cowher: He led the Pack in tackles in '77 and '78 and was named MVP of the team in '78. As a coach, he has led his team to the playoffs 12 out of 16 seasons.
Torry Holt: The greatest wide receiver in NC State history. One of the best ever in the NCAA. After 4 great years with the Pack, Holt has proven himself to be one of the NFL's best at his position.
From Randy Oakley:
I think the 3 names for the 50th Anniversary Team from NC State should be Torry Holt(All time leading receiver and class of the NFL), Johnny Evans (great quaterback and punter and also represents the university with class each and every day), and Ted Brown (Leading rusher).
From Heather Brown:
I nominate Torry Holt, Roman Gabriel, and Dick Christy.
Torry Holt: I nominated Torry not only because of his recordbreaking career at NC State, but also because of the way he represents NC State as a member of the NFL. His Monday Night Football articles last season mentioned NCSU more than once. Plus he does a lot for his community.
I chose Roman Gabriel and Dick Christy for obvious reasons.
From Chester Palmer:
Roman Gabriel, still the best QB; Dennis Byrd, good all around player; Ted Brown, best running back
From Van '92:
1. Torry Holt - Arguably the best receiver in the history of the conference.
2. Ted Brown - He has to mentioned in any list of Pack greats.
3. Jim Ritcher - Our most decorated lineman.
From Chris Gardner:
My nominations for the three NCSU football players are:
Ted Brown - 1st Team All American, finished career as the fourth all time leading rusher in NCAA history. Led the Pack to its last ACC championship.
Jim Ritcher - First Team All American, Outland Trophy winner
Torry Holt - First Team All American, ACC Player of the Year, numerous records
Honorable Mention: Roman Gabriel - All American and played two ways Johnny Evans - Best punter in ACC history (if you chose the best at each position, he would be on the 50th Anniversary Team hands down).
From Wendy Jackson:
Jim Ritcher Ted Brown Torry Holt
What can you say, their retired Jerseys say it all!
From Jerry Douglas:
Three players that would be excellent choices for the 50th Anniversary football team are:
1. Roman Gabriel. One of the best, if not the best quarterback ever to play for State. Also, he had great productivity and longevity as an NFL quarterback.
2. Ted Brown. Same reasons as above except for the position, running back.
3. Torry Holt. The greatest receiver ever at NC State and current all-pro in the NFL.
From Chris Skoog
Ted Brown, Jim Ritcher and Torry Holt. Enough said. The 3 are the best of all time at their respective positions.
From Bill Johnson
Roman Gabriel - Even as a schoolboy growing up in Charlotte (where everything was painted light blue), I knew who Roman Gabriel was - and what school he played for. And then he was the first of his kind in the NFL. What a concept! Defensive linemen hit the quarterback - and bounce off.
Dennis Byrd - All America for two straight years. The most memorable game in my years at State was againt the Univ. of Florida in 1966. Florida went on to win (I think) the national championship that year. Florida scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to win the game, 14-7. But no one on the entire Florida team could do anything with Dennis Byrd. Just ask Steve Spurrier, if you don't believe me.
Torry Holt - When Holt touched the ball, everyone (wearing red, and otherwise) held their collective breath. There was an above average statistical probability that something good (for the red)was going to happen. All that, and he is such a class act!
From John Knott:
ACC's 50th Anniversary team should include these 3 Wolfpack players:
1. Ted Brown--- All-American, All ACC and total rushing leader, ACC title in 1979. 1st round draft pick
2. Jim Ritcher--- All-American, all ACC, only Outland Trophy winner from State, ACC title in 1979,1st round draft pick.
3. Roman Gabriel--- All-American, all ACC, 1st round draft pick, best of his time and great efficiency numbers.
From Tom Avery:
My three nominees for the all-ACC team:
1. Ted Brown...all-time rusher for NC State
2. Jim Ritcher...Outland Trophy winner
3. Torry Holt...simply the best the ACC has ever had.
From Jeff Lawrence:
My 3 Pack nominees for the ACC 50th Anniversary team are:
1. Ted Brown - best running back to ever grace the ACC. A rare blend of balance, speed, and power.
2. Roman Gabriel - All-America on a 1-9 team. No-brainer.
3. Torry Holt - master of preparation. Speed, intelligence, and great hands. Best receiver in a long line of talented receivers at NC State.
From Jeremy Kauffman:
1) Torry Holt: Arguably the best receiver ever in the South much less the ACC. Holt's athleticism, work ethic and production as a collegiate athlete are just as evident in his professional career. Simply a thrill to watch no matter whose team you root for.
2) Roman Gabriel: His on-field presence and off-field attitude made him a success on and off the field but as a Wolfpacker he was simply great.
3) Ted Brown: Years past and everyone's records are eclipsed so its easy to forget how dominating Ted was during his career at State with regard not only to the ACC, but outside as well.
