When it comes to football, Hays County has been home to some of the most iconic players in the game. From Robert Lee Hayes, nicknamed 'Bullet Bob', to Ricky Williams and Larry Fitzgerald, these athletes have left an indelible mark on the sport. In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of the most famous football players from Hays County.
Robert Lee Hayes
(December 20, 1942 — September 18, 2000) was an American professional sprinter and football player.He is widely regarded as one of the greatest college football players of all time before 1960, having won a national championship and the Heisman Trophy. During the 1967 NFL championship, the Ice Bowl, Hayes is said to have inadvertently revealed whether the next play was a pass or a run. He was instrumental in helping Dallas win five Eastern Conference titles, two NFC titles, played in two Super Bowls, and was a key factor in Dallas' first Super Bowl victory after the 1971 season.
Jim Thorpe
is another legendary figure in football. He is considered one of the best college and professional football players of his time.In 1966, on the last significant play of the game, Hayes failed a mission by linebacker Dave Robinson, causing Don Meredith to be almost fired by Robinson and throwing a desperate pass to the end zone that was intercepted by Tom Brown.
Ricky Williams
was the NCAA career leader just one season before Ron Dayne broke his record. With 7,206 yards of play and 75 touchdowns, there's no denying that Williams is one of the most productive players in college football history. He led Oklahoma's defense during their 1974 and '75 national championship seasons, won the Lombardi Award and the Outland Trophy in '75, and was named the 39th best college football player of all time by College Football News.Warren Sapp
was a two-time All-American, was named Defensive Player of the Year in 1994 by the United States Football Writers Association and won the Lombardi Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Bill Willis Trophy.Mike Rozier
was an integral part of one of Nebraska's best offensive teams in college football history.Larry Fitzgerald
is arguably one of the greatest college football receivers of this century. In his two years at Pitt he was nearly unstoppable.He may have overlooked the NFL for the NBA but Ward is still a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Hays County has produced some truly remarkable football players over the years. From Robert Lee Hayes to Larry Fitzgerald, these athletes have made an indelible mark on both college and professional football. Their accomplishments will continue to inspire future generations of athletes for years to come.
