Three Former 'Canes to be Inducted into Ring of Honor
Sept. 23, 2009
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt and head football coach Randy Shannon have announced the selection of three new members to the UM Football Ring of Honor. Former Hurricanes Bennie Blades, Eddie Dunn and Steve Walsh will all be placed in the Ring of Honor during halftime of Miami’s home game against Clemson on Saturday, Oct. 24 at Land Shark Stadium.
“The University of Miami’s football legacy is one that is known throughout the country,” Hocutt said. “There are so many great players that have played at the `U’. In continuing to add to our Ring of Honor, this group exudes the success and excellence that is synonymous with the University of Miami.”
The selection of UM’s Ring of Honor members is determined by the Director of Athletics and head football coach, in conjunction with an anonymous advisory committee.
Criteria used in the selection process include athletic achievements at UM and at the professional level, commitment and loyalty to the continued success of the university and its athletic department and a personal commitment to courage, fortitude, honesty and integrity.
“So many great players have been a part of the University of Miami football program and it’s always a tough decision when it comes to adding to our Ring of Honor,” Shannon said. “This year’s class of Bennie, Eddie and Steve is another group of guys that truly knew what it meant to be a Miami Hurricane. Their accomplishments during their time at Miami greatly contributed to the success of this football program.”
Blades played defensive back for the Hurricanes from 1985 through 1987. As a junior, he was selected first-team All-American in 1986 by the Associated Press and United Press International after leading the nation in interceptions with 10. The following season, Blades not only helped the Hurricanes win the national championship, but he also was selected first-team All-American by the Associated Press, Kodak, United Press International, The Sporting News, The Walter Camp Foundation and the Football Writers Association of America. The same year, Blades also won the Jim Thorpe Award, which recognizes the nation’s premier defensive back. While at UM, Blades set school records for interceptions in a career (19), interception return yards (305), consecutive games with an interception (5), total tackles by a safety (286) and unassisted tackles by a safety (155). After being picked third overall by the Detroit Lions in 1988, Blades played 10 NFL seasons and finished his professional career with 14 interceptions and one touchdown. In 2006, Blades was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Dunn played running back for UM from 1935-39 serving as team captain as a freshman and senior. He went on to coach the team for two years during World War II. In 1938, he played in the historic Miami-Florida game, scoring all three touchdowns in a 19-7 Miami win in the two teams’ first ever meeting on the gridiron. While playing running back for the Hurricanes, Dunn set several game, single-season and career records for rushing, scoring, and punt returns. He is generally considered the Hurricanes’ “first football hero”. Dunn took over coaching the `Canes when the original coach, Jack Harding, was called to serve in World War II. He served as the head football coach from 1943-44 and head baseball coach from 1947-54. He had a stint as athletic director during World War II. He also was a member of the Board of Trustees from 1964-80, helped find the forerunner of the Hurricane Club, chaired the Board of Trustees Athletic Advisory Committee and served as the president of the UM Alumni Association. Dunn is also credited with designing the first UM baseball field. His son Gary played football at UM from 1973-75 and went on to play 11 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1976-87. Dunn passed away in March of 1980.
Walsh played quarterback for Miami during the late 80’s, leading the `Canes to an undefeated regular season and national championship in 1987. The following season, Walsh was selected first-team All-American by the Associated Press, ESPN, and the Football Writers Association of America after passing for over 3,100 yards and 29 touchdowns. As a starter, Walsh went 23-1 for the Hurricanes and finished his career tied with Vinny Testaverde for the most touchdown passes in school history (48). He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 1989 supplemental draft and played 11 seasons in the NFL for six different franchises.
All three are members of the UM Sports Hall of Fame. Dunn was one of the first four inducted in 1967, while Blades and Walsh entered the Hall in back-to-back years in 1998 and 1999.
Blades, Dunn and Walsh will join current Ring of Honor members Ottis Anderson (1975-78), Don Bosseler (1953-56), Jim Dooley (1949-51), Ted Hendricks (1966-68), Jim Kelly (1979-82), Cortez Kennedy (1988-89), Bernie Kosar (1982-84), Edgerrin James (1996-98), George Mira (1961-63), Jim Otto (1957-59), Burgess Owens (1970-72), Vinny Testaverde (1982-86) and Gino Torretta (1989-92) in the Ring of Honor. The new inductees’ names will be on display at future UM games in Land Shark Stadium beginning Oct. 24.
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 fourth class to be inducted. The initial class was made up of Mira, Dooley, Hendricks and Testaverde while the second class of Anderson, Bosseler, Kosar and Owens was inducted in 1999. Last year, Miami inducted its third class of Kelly, Kennedy, James, Otto and Torretta.
A special luncheon featuring the new Ring of Honor inductees and members from previous classes will be held the day before the game – Friday, October 23, 2009- from 12 – 2 p.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel Miami at 1435 Brickell Avenue, Miami, Florida.
Sponsor tables can be purchased for $1,500 and luncheon tickets may be purchased for $100 per person. For further information please contact the University of Miami Hurricane Club at (305) 284-6699. Proceeds from the Luncheon will benefit the Hurricane Club Student-Athlete Scholarship Fund. Sponsor table hosts will receive their name in the program and a special gift, as well as preferred seating.
