Four Chosen for Ring of Honor
Nov. 4, 1999
Coral Gables, FL – University of Miami athletic director Paul Dee announces the selection of Hurricane football greats Ottis Anderson, Don Bosseler, Bernie Kosar and Burgess Owens for induction into the Ring of Honor. The four will have their names and jersey numbers permanently affixed for display on the face of the Orange Bowl’s upper deck at the Rutgers game on November 20th.
“The University of Miami football program looks forward to having the opportunity to recognize Ottis Anderson, Don Bosseler, Bernie Kosar and Burgess Owens,” said Dee. “They have distinguished themselves during their careers and are among the many outstanding players that we are proud to call Hurricanes.”
Ottis Anderson (1975-78) became the first player in Miami history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season (1978). Anderson is the Hurricanes’ all-time career rushing leader (3,331) and thee times during his career posted single-season rushing totals that rank in the top 10 at Miami. He was a first-round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals.
“Hopefully being honored at the University of Miami is just the beginning for me,” commented Anderson. “This is the highest honor you can achieve at UM and hopefully this will lead to my being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This is
a great moment for me.” Don Bosseler played fullback at UM from 1953-56. He finished his career with 1,642 rushing yards, which at the time ranked second all-time. Bosseler was an All-American and a first-round draft pick of the Washington Redskins. In 1990 he was inducted into the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame.
“I am elated to be honored with such great players, like Ottis Anderson, Bernie Kosar, and Burgess Owens,” Bosseler said. “It’s the highest honor that the University of Miami Athletic Department can bestow on their football players and I am proud to be one of the four inducted this year and one of the eight players inducted overall.”
Bernie Kosar (1982-84) was instrumental in the University of Miami becoming known as “Quarterback U.” Kosar guided the Hurricanes to their first of four National Championships in 1983. He holds the top spot on the UM single-season list for pass attempts (416), pass completions (262) and passing yards (3,642). In 1998 Kosar was inducted in the GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-America Hall of Fame.
“I am truly honored to be inducted,” said Kosar. “The University of Miami and the Orange Bowl hold so many special memories for me. The history of both Miami football and the Orange Bowl is so rich, that I’m just happy to be included.”
Burgess Owens patrolled the Miami secondary from 1970-72, earning All-American honors. Ownes finished his UM career with 160 tackles, eight interceptions and three fumble recoveries. He was named the most valuable player of the 1973 Senior Bowl and went on to be a first-round draft pick of the New York Jets.
“This is a very exciting moment for me,” said Owens. “UM means a lot to me and I’m very happy to be inducted with these three guys, this is a great group. I’m also proud to be a part of the rebirth of Miami football and what Butch is doing there.”
The Ring of Honor was established during the 1997 season as a way to recognize the outstanding players that have passed through the Hurricane Football program. This becomes the second class to be inducted.
Anderson, Bosseler, Kosar and Owens join Jim Dooley, George Mira, Sr., Ted Hendricks and Vinny Testaverde in the Ring of Honor.
