North Carolina State University Athletics
Ritcher a Finalist for Ford Award
8/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
NC State legend Jim Ritcher has been selected as a finalist for the President Gerald R. Ford Legends of Center Award. The Ford Award is presented by the Dave Rimington Trophy Committee. Other finalists include Bob Johnson (Michigan State), Alex Kroll (Rutgers) and Jim Otto (Miami). The winner of the President Gerald R. Ford Legends of Center Award will be honored at the Rimington Trophy awards banquet at the Rococo Theater in Lincoln, Neb., on January 13, 2007.
To be considered for the President Gerald R. Ford Legends of Center Award, candidates must have either played the center position at the collegiate or professional level; made extraordinary contributions to his team during his football career; or have proven to be an exemplary citizen, philanthropist or business leader.
Ritcher brought new recognition to the center position in football. The Outland Trophy, named for the nation's best interior lineman, had been in existence 33 years and had never been won by a center; that is, until Ritcher won it in 1979. He was a two-time All-American and two-time winner of the Jacobs Trophy, which is given to the best position blocker in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He graduated with a degree in sociology.
Ritcher stood 6-3, weighed 245, and was extremely mobile. His number, 51, has been retired and is honored at Carter-Finley Stadium.
"He was strong and quick," said Bo Rein, Ritcher's head coach with the Wolfpack. "His talent enabled us to outline certain plays we wouldn't have considered with normal players. He would be a star at any position except quarterback or wide receiver."
In 1978, after a game against Syracuse, the Associated Press named him Lineman of the Week. He played 16 years in the National Football League with Buffalo and Atlanta. After retiring from professional football, he settled in Raleigh, N.C., and now works as a flight instructor and commercial pilot for American Airlines.
To be considered for the President Gerald R. Ford Legends of Center Award, candidates must have either played the center position at the collegiate or professional level; made extraordinary contributions to his team during his football career; or have proven to be an exemplary citizen, philanthropist or business leader.
Ritcher brought new recognition to the center position in football. The Outland Trophy, named for the nation's best interior lineman, had been in existence 33 years and had never been won by a center; that is, until Ritcher won it in 1979. He was a two-time All-American and two-time winner of the Jacobs Trophy, which is given to the best position blocker in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He graduated with a degree in sociology.
Ritcher stood 6-3, weighed 245, and was extremely mobile. His number, 51, has been retired and is honored at Carter-Finley Stadium.
"He was strong and quick," said Bo Rein, Ritcher's head coach with the Wolfpack. "His talent enabled us to outline certain plays we wouldn't have considered with normal players. He would be a star at any position except quarterback or wide receiver."
In 1978, after a game against Syracuse, the Associated Press named him Lineman of the Week. He played 16 years in the National Football League with Buffalo and Atlanta. After retiring from professional football, he settled in Raleigh, N.C., and now works as a flight instructor and commercial pilot for American Airlines.
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