Houstonist Legends: Wilson Whitley

University of Houston legend Wilson Whitley was posthumously inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame this past Friday in South Bend, Indiana along with 12 other players which included stars such as Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie and Penn St. head coach Joe Paterno.

Whitley was a wrecking machine while at UH from 1972-76. His senior season was the best of all and it still remains the standard for all UH defensive players. Whitley's 1976 season included 50 tackles with 15 assists, five sacks and with three recovered fumbles. Whitley captured the Rotary Lombardi Trophy for his spectacular season, which honors the nation's best defensive lineman. Whitley was also honored as a consensus All-American while leading the Southwest Conference champion Houston Cougars to a 10-2 record and a 30-21 win over undefeated Maryland in the 1977 Cotton Bowl. The Cougars finished the season ranked No. 4 after the win which still is the highest ranking to this day.

In 1977, Whitley was chosen eighth overall in the NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. Whitley played six season with the Bengals which was highlighted in 1981 when the Bengals won the AFC championship and played in Super Bowl XVI.

In 1992, Whitley suffered a heart attack and passed away at the age of 37. Along with being inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame, Wilson was also inducted into the Texas Football Hall of Fame in 1985 and and the UH Hall of Honor in 1998.

Notes: Whitley's senior season was UH's first season in the Southwest Conference and yet, he was still named as the Southwest Conference Player of the Decade.

Photo courtesy of UHCougars.com