Retired Football Jerseys
8/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
No. 18
ROMAN GABRIEL (QB)
At NC State: A two-time All-American, Roman Gabriel starred at quarterback for NC State in the early 1960’s and finished his career holding virtually every Wolfpack passing record. An academic All-American, Gabriel saw his jersey retired and presented to him by Governor Terry Sanford on Jan. 20, 1962 at half-time of an NC State-Maryland basketball game in Reynolds Coliseum. A first-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Rams, he went on to a distinguished professional career.
In the Professional Ranks: Gabriel went on to play 15 seasons in the NFL, splitting time with the Los Angeles Rams (1962-72) and the Philadelphia Eagles (1973-77). He was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1969 and earned Pro Bowl spots in 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970. He was the MVP of the 1970 Pro Bowl. He ranked as the Rams’ all-time passing leader with 22,223 yards and 154 touchdowns (1,705 com./3,313 att.) and threw for 7,221 yards and 45 touchdowns (661 com./1,185 att.) with the Eagles. In 1973, he led the NFL with 3,219 yards and 23 touchdown passes. He still holds the Rams’ career records for: touchdown passes (154), passing yards (22,223), passes attempted (3,313), and passes completed (1,705). Was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989.
Read more about Roman Gabriel.
No. 51
JIM RITCHER (OL)
At NC State: Jim Ritcher is one of three Atlantic Coast Conference players to win the Outland Trophy, awarded annually to the nation’s premier lineman. A two-time consensus All-American, Ritcher won the Outland Trophy as a Wolfpack senior in 1979, when he literally cleared the way for NC State to earn the ACC Championship. Still an active member of the Wolfpack family, Ritcher, whose son John is a redshirt freshman for the 2002 squad, thrived in the NFL for 16 years, playing in four Super Bowls with the Buffalo Bills. Ritcher’s No. 51 was retired on Feb. 8, 1987. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1998. Ritcher's oldest son, John, played tight end for the Wolfpack from 2002-05 and his youngest son, Harrison, is a fullback with the team in 2008.
In the Professional Ranks: A first-round draft choice in 1980, Ritcher went on to play 16 seasons in the NFL, splitting time with the Buffalo Bills (1980-93) and the Atlanta Falcons (1994-95). An All-Pro choice in 1986, 1988, and 1990, Ritcher played in the 1992 and 1993 Pro Bowls. He also played in four Super Bowls with
No. 40
DICK CHRISTY (HB)
At NC State: Scoring all 29 of NC State’s points, Dick Christy earned the Wolfpack its first Atlantic Coast Conference Championship in a 29-26 win in the Pack’s season-finale at
In the Professional Ranks: Christry played five seasons in the NFL, splitting time with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1958), Boston Patriots (1960) and the New York Titans (1961-63). He was selected to play in the 1962 AFL All-Star game and led the AFL and NFL in punt returns in 1961 and 1962 with 21.3 and 16.7 yards per return, respectively. In 1962, he was named his team’s MVP, when he led the squad in rushing, punt returns and kickoff returns.
Read more and more about Dick Christy.
No. 23
TED BROWN (RB)
At NC State: Ted Brown is inarguably the greatest running back to play for NC State, if not in the entire Atlantic Coast Conference. A native of High Point, N.C., Brown rushed for a school and ACC record 4,602 yards from 1975-78. He scored 51 touchdowns during his career, which still stands as the top mark in ACC history. His jersey was retired during pregame ceremonies prior to his final home game on Nov. 18, 1978 against Duke. He was a first-round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings where he enjoyed an all-star career.
In the Professional Ranks: Brown starred for eight seasons in the NFL as a member of the Minnesota Vikings squad from 1979-86. He scored 53 career touchdowns (40 rushing and 13 receiving), the fifth-best mark in Viking history. His 4,546 career rushing yards ranks third in the history of that franchise.
No. 81
TORRY HOLT (WR)
At NC State: Torry Holt was a human highlight film for NC State from 1995-98, and culminated his career by being named a consensus All-American. Holt rewrote the NC State record books, setting single game, single season and career records in almost every passing category. He also set an ACC record with 3,379 reception yards for his career. The two-time All-ACC performer was named the ACC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year following his senior campaign, and was also a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, honoring the nation’s top wide receiver. His jersey was retired on Jan. 16, 1999 during halftime ceremonies of the final NC State-UNC basketball contest that was played in Reynolds Coliseum.
In the Professional Ranks: Holt was a first-round draft pick of the Saint Louis Rams in 1999, the sixth selection overall, and has already made the Pro Bowl six times. He won a Super Bowl ring during his rookie campaign, and in the process set Super Bowl rookie records with seven catches and 109 receiving yards. He was the first player in NFL history to record five straight seasons with 1,300 receiving yards, and he was the fifth-fastest in NFL history to 5,000 yards and fourth-fastest to 500 career receptions.
No. 77
DENNIS BYRD (DL)
At NC State: Dennis Byrd was a dominating presence for the Wolfpack’s famed “White Shoes” defense, competing on the defensive line for NC State from 1965-57. An adept pass rusher who combined size, agility, strength and a desire for hitting, Byrd was the Pack’s first consensus All-American, earning honors in 1967. He was also the first three-time All-ACC player in league history, earning accolades all three years that he lettered. As a junior, he led the voting for All-ACC lineman and after his senior campaign, participated in four college all-star games.
In the Professional Ranks: Byrd was a first-round draft pick of the Boston Patriots of the American Football League in 1968.
No. 63
BILL YOEST (OG)
At NC State: A consensus All-American guard, Bill Yoest lettered for the Wolfpack from 1970-73 and was the recipient of the 1973 Jacobs Blocking Trophy. A
In the Professional Ranks: Played a short stint with the Orlando Blazers of the World Football League and then returned to
No. 17
PHILIP RIVERS (QB)
At NC State: The 2003 ACC Player of the Year, Philip Rivers started all 51 games at quarterback for the Wolfpack over his four years, an NCAA record. Rivers rewrote the record books for both NC State and the ACC in every passing and total offense category. Rivers ended up the second-leading passer in NCAA history with 13,494 career passing yards and 13,582 career yards of total offense and finished tied for fifth in NCAA history with 95 career TD passes. The
In the Professional Ranks: A first round draft choice, Rivers was selected by the New York Giants with the fourth pick of the 2004 NFL Draft and was traded to the San Diego Chargers minutes later.