MACwood Squares is our summer reading series on the best athletes in Mid-American Conference sports history. This week features Central Michigan . Looking for your MAC school? Consult our schedule for other teams and please submit your nominees as well.
So we got the Dan LeFevour essay out of the way in order to make the "second best" player a little more fair. We've scanned the annals of the Chippewa record books along with their own Hall of Fame. We're going all the way back to the '50s and as recently as two years ago. Who else belongs in the goofy CMU Photoshop?
Jim Podoley (1953-56) — His No. 62 is the only one retired at CMU. Here's why: as a halfback, 51 total touchdowns is still a school record, three more than LeFevour. His six TDs in his final game is also a school record. He was twice named second team All-American by the AP (1954, 56) and was drafted by the Redskins in 1957 and accounted for 13 touchdowns in four seasons.
Gary Hogeboom (1976-79) — I keep forgetting about Hogeboom's CMU tenure! This ends now: he's a member of the MAC Hall of Fame as well as a modest NFL career spanning ten years and three teams (Cowboys/Colts/Cardinals). He was only the starter for two years, but in that time span he only had two losses and one MAC Offensive Player of the Year. Hogeboom.
Curtis Adams (1981-84) — Another highlight of the Deromedi Era, Adams still has the rushing record despite LeFevour surpassing him in rushing touchdowns. The UPU put him on their All-American second-team in '84, and progressed to have a nice little career with the Chargers.
Joe Staley (2003-06) — Guh? An offensive lineman in the list? It's more likely than you think, especially since Staley is the only first-round NFL draft pick among the lot. You don't see many linemen come through the hustle belt with the size and speed that Staley possessed. Taken 28th overall by the 49ers, he has started 50 games in four seasons. He oughta have more than that left in the ol' reservoir.
Antonio Brown (2007-09) — Proof that wide receivers can spring from anywhere, anytime. Brown is not only the career receptions leader, but also a dynamic punt returner and this latter quality vaulted him into the Pittsburgh Steelers via the 2010 Draft. He's had not only some scintillating return touchdowns but also some clutch third-down catches during the Steelers' run to the Super Bowl. And while we like to say all mum about how much LeFevour has done in the NFL (NOTHING TO SEE HERE MOVE ALONG), it seems like his potential has only been briefly exposed.
Found someone else that oughta be on this list? Dan Bazuin? Ray Bentley? Brian Pruitt? I could've gone all day.
Who are your nominees for Central Michigan's MACwood Squares? Comment below, tweet us at @HustleBelt or submit a FanPost making your case. The final nine will be revealed Friday.