Mira, Testaverde, and Johnson Named As Finalists For Hall of Fame

March 2, 2012

The National Football Foundation (NFF) announced today the names of 76 players and eight coaches who comprise the 2012 Football Bowl Subdivision Ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, and on the list are University of Miami greats George Mira, Vinny Testaverde and Jimmy Johnson.
 
“It’s an enormous honor just to be on the ballot when you think that more than 4.86 million people have played college football,” said NFF President & CEO Steven J. Hatchell. “The Hall’s requirement of being a First Team All-American creates a much smaller pool of only 1,900 individuals who are even eligible to be on the ballot, so being in today’s group of 76 names means an individual is truly among the greatest to ever have played the game, and we are proud to announce their names today.”
 
Quarterback George Mira was named First Team All-America in 1962 and finished fifth in Heisman voting that year. In his time at Miami, he broke nearly every UM passing record and currently ranks eighth in Canes history in pass completions (368), passing yardage (4,633) and total offense (5,135).
 
Quarterback Vinny Testaverde was the winner of the 1986 Heisman, Walter Camp, Maxwell and Davey O’Brien Awards. He led the Canes to three bowl berths, including the 1987 Fiesta Bowl to determine the national championship. He finished his career with 6,058 passing yards and 48 touchdown passes.
 
Coach Jimmy Johnson owned a 52-9 record during five seasons with the Miami Hurricanes from 1984-88. His landmark achievement was the program’s second National Championship in 1987. Johnson coached nine players to 10 All-America honors and achieved legend status in Coral Gables before leaving for the Dallas Cowboys, where he won two Super Bowls.
 
Miami currently has five players–Ted Hendricks (1999 inductee), Don Bosseler (1990), Bennie Blades (2006), Gino Torretta (2009) and Russell Maryland (2011)–and two coaches–Jack Harding (1980) and Andy Gustafson (1985) –in the College Football Hall of Fame. Former Canes greats Jim Otto, Jim Kelly, Michael Irvin and Hendricks are all in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
 
The FBS Hall of Fame class will be announced live in New York City during a Noon press conference on May 15 and inducted at the 55th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on December 4, 2012 at the landmark Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.
 
To be eligible for the ballot, players must have been named a first-team All-America by a major/national selector as recognized and utilized by the NCAA for their consensus All-America teams; played their last year of intercollegiate football at least 10 years prior; and played within the last 50 years and cannot be currently playing professional football. Coaches must have coached a minimum of 10 years and 100 games as a head coach; won at least 60% of their games; and be retired from coaching for at least three years. If a coach is retired and over the age of 70, there is no waiting period. If he is over the age of 75, he is eligible as an active coach. In both cases, the candidate’s post-football record as a citizen may also be weighed.

Once nominated for consideration, all player candidates are submitted to one of eight District Screening Committees, depending on their school’s geographic location, which conducts a vote to determine who will appear on the ballot and represent their respective districts. Each year, approximately 15 candidates, who are not selected for the Hall of Fame, will be named automatic holdovers and will bypass the district screening process and automatically appear on the ballot the following year. Additionally, the Veterans Committee may make recommendations to Honors Court for exceptions that allow for the induction of players who played more than 50 years ago.

Of the 4.79 million individuals who have played college football since Princeton first battled Rutgers on November 6, 1869, only 882 players have earned induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. From the coaching ranks, 190 individuals have achieved Hall of Fame distinction.