Moderators Blake Munroe Posted 13 hours ago Moderators Posted 13 hours ago There really isn’t much of a debate when it comes to No. 20 at Texas. Earl Campbell. The Tyler Rose put together one of the greatest careers in college football history, capped by a monster 1977 season in which he rushed for 1,744 yards, won the Heisman Trophy, earned unanimous All-America honors and was named both the Walter Camp and UPI Player of the Year. Campbell finished his Texas career with 4,443 rushing yards and 40 rushing touchdowns, posted three 1,000-yard seasons and was a three-time All-Southwest Conference selection. His No. 20 was eventually retired by Texas and he went on to earn induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. We’ve had some interesting debates throughout this countdown, but this isn’t one of them. 20 days until kickoff. Earl Campbell owns No. 20. 23 1 Quote
DRAG69 Posted 12 hours ago Posted 12 hours ago I am old and as a 14 year old kid I went to a lot of open practices in 1969 and many years afterwards. Hung out with Scooter Monzingo who was number twenty and was the punter for the National Champions in 69. I would go with the kickers over to the old practice field which was just across the street (southwest of the stadium) while the rest of the team practiced in the stadium. I actually held the ball for Happy Feller while he practiced field goals. Not taking a snap but just holding on the old 2” black kicking tee. 6 Quote
Paul Jespersen Posted 12 hours ago Posted 12 hours ago 1 hour ago, Blake Munroe said: There really isn’t much of a debate when it comes to No. 20 at Texas. Earl Campbell. The Tyler Rose put together one of the greatest careers in college football history, capped by a monster 1977 season in which he rushed for 1,744 yards, won the Heisman Trophy, earned unanimous All-America honors and was named both the Walter Camp and UPI Player of the Year. Campbell finished his Texas career with 4,443 rushing yards and 40 rushing touchdowns, posted three 1,000-yard seasons and was a three-time All-Southwest Conference selection. His No. 20 was eventually retired by Texas and he went on to earn induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. We’ve had some interesting debates throughout this countdown, but this isn’t one of them. 20 days until kickoff. Earl Campbell owns No. 20. GOAT. Also, possibly the greatest collab ever: The shipley donuts Big Earl sausage kolache was the bomb. 🤘 4 1 Quote
Trevfo Posted 11 hours ago Posted 11 hours ago I saw him play against SMU in the Cotton Bowl October of 1977. He went for over 200 yds in the rain. Man amongst boys. 4 Quote
taxsaver Posted 10 hours ago Posted 10 hours ago That 1744 yards could have easily been over 3000. He didn't play much in the 2nd half of a lot of those games because Texas was loaded and most games were out of reach by halftime. Who knows what he would have done against tired defenses in the 2nd half. HOOKEM 4 Quote
Bobby Burton Posted 10 hours ago Posted 10 hours ago Without a doubt, he is my football hero. So much of my enjoyment of the game stems from watching him in my youth. 9 Quote
GoHorns1 Posted 8 hours ago Posted 8 hours ago 1st time I met Earl was at shuttle bus stop in front of Jester. Super nice dude. 3 Quote
.45s Posted 5 hours ago Posted 5 hours ago 53 minutes ago, marathon said: Typical Earl. What a beast. 2 Quote
Humblest Posted 2 hours ago Posted 2 hours ago Like a lot of you, Earl is my sports hero. I was 9 years old for that 1977 season, so I was just getting into sports. His power and physicality defined for me what football should be about. But as much as I loved his game, it was his demeanor that really stood out to me - humble, quiet, respectful, etc. All of that along with his love for his mother and brothers as well as his relationship with people like DKR and Willie elevated him from sports hero to overall personal hero for me. He transcended sports from my perspective. As a lifelong Cowboys fan I actually rooted for the Earlers against the Doomsday Defense. Now this non dipper might put just a pinch between my cheek and gum and go play me some touch. Or maybe I’ll stick with the hot links Thank you, Earl! 2 Quote
mmdaytontexas Posted 1 hour ago Posted 1 hour ago I had about 4 classes with Earl when I was a freshman and Sophomore. I even sat with him a few times. He knew my dad who wrote a sports column and so I had an in. He was a gentle nice guy off the field, and he never missed a class. He'll always be my favorite Longhorn, but VY is not far behind. 1 Quote
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