LUBBOCK,
Texas –
Dave
Parks
is finally receiving his due. The former Texas Tech All-American and top pick in
the 1964 NFL draft was selected for induction to the National Football
Foundation and College Hall of Fame on Thursday during a televised press
conference by the NFF on ESPNNEWS. He joins E.J. Holub and Donny Anderson as
former Red Raiders previously enshrined in the Hall of
Fame.
“Dave Parks is one of
our greatest football players,” Texas Tech Director of Athletics Gerald Myers
said. “He’s been successful at all levels and was one of our early
All-Americans. We’re proud of the things Dave accomplished in football and we
are pleased and excited he’s been voted into the National Football Foundation
and College Hall of Fame. This is great recognition for Texas Tech and an honor
well-deserved for one of our former greats.”
Parks left his mark on
the Red Raiders program, holding records in career receptions (80, 1962) and
single-season receptions (32, 1962 and 1963). He also set marks in single-game
receptions (8 vs. Kansas State, 1963), single-game receiving yards (132 vs.
Kansas State, 1963). During his junior season in 1962, the Abilene, Texas,
native was an All-Southwest Conference selection, was named team most valuable
player and Best Tech Lineman.
During his career at
Texas Tech, Parks’ play never waned, no matter the circumstances – even in
triple coverage during his All-American senior season, in which he played with a
broken wrist. Known for his offensive talents, Parks also displayed a prowess on
defense, which was evidenced by his 98-yard interception return, sealing a 13-12
win over Colorado in 1963.
Media and opposing
coaches alike watched in awe as Parks dismantled opposing defenses every
Saturday. Former Fort Worth Star-Telegram sports writer Jim Trinkle
described a play against Texas A&M where “two Aggies were running
side-by-side with the brilliant Parks, but he made a diving catch across the
goal, did a somersault, and leaped up with the ball high over his head.” A TCU
coach scouting the game said, “That was the finest catch I’ve ever
seen.”
The first player in
school history to be named an Associated Press First Team All-American, Parks
joined the likes of Roger Staubach, Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers on the
prestigious All-America squad following his senior season in 1963. He also raked
in consensus honors as a split end by The Sporting News, Boston
Recorder-American, Sports Extra, American Football Coaches, Time
Magazine and Football Weekly.
The honors continued
to pour in as Parks was rewarded for his play during his senior season with
invitations to the East-West Shrine Game, the Senior Bowl, the Coaches
All-America Game, and was named to the Chicago Tribune’s All-Stars.
Playing for the West in the Shrine Game, Parks blocked the game-winning extra
point attempt by the East. In the Senior Bowl, he hauled in a George Mira
touchdown pass to preserve the South’s 20-12 victory.
Park’s NFL career
spanned 10 years with San Francisco (1964-67), New Orleans (1968-72) and Houston
(1973). He was named to the All-Pro Rookie Team in 1964 and was an All-Pro
selection in 1965 and 1966, playing in three-straight Pro
Bowls.
In addition to Parks,
among the 13 players in this year’s class include Troy Aikman (UCLA,
1987-88), Billy Cannon (LSU, 1957-59), Jim Dombrowski (Virginia,
1982-85), Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern, 1994-96), Wilber Marshall
(Florida, 1980-83), Rueben Mayes (Washington State, 1982-85), Randall
McDaniel (Arizona State, 1984-87), Don McPherson (Syracuse, 1984-87),
Jay Novacek (Wyoming, 1982-84), Ron Simmons (Florida State,
1977-80), Thurman Thomas (Oklahoma State, 1984-87) and Arnold
Tucker (Army, 1944-46). John Cooper (Tulsa, Arizona State and Ohio
State) and Lou Holtz (William & Mary, N.C. State, Arkansas,
Minnesota, Notre Dame and South Carolina) are the two coaches in the class. The
FBS Hall of Fame Class will be formally inducted into the College Football Hall
of Fame on Dec. 9 in New York City at the Waldorf Astoria. The inductees will be
officially enshrined at the Hall in South Bend, Ind., during the summer of
2009.
To be eligible for the
ballot, players must have been All-America first team status by a major/national
selector as recognized and utilized by the NCAA for their consensus All-America
teams; played their last year of intercollegiate football at least ten years
prior; played within the last 50 years and cannot be currently playing
professional football.
Over 12,000 National
Football Foundation members and current Hall of Famers’ votes were tabulated and
submitted to the NFF’s Honors Court, which selects the class. Of the 4.6 million
individuals that have played college football, only 842 players have earned
induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.
