As much as SportsTalk honors and celebrates the athletes in South Carolina, it is rare when one of our own is a recipient. However, that was the case on Friday night in Greenville when former SportsTalk co-host Rick Sanford was inducted into the South Carolina Football “Hall of Fame”. And while we’d like to take credit for Rick’s enshrinement, his ticket to the “Hall” was punched long before he decided to step behind a microphone.
A Rock Hill native, Sanford played defensive back for USC and was the school’s first, first-round NFL draft pick. He was named to The Sporting News All-America Team in 1978 after leading the Gamecocks with four interceptions. His professional career included stints with the New England Patriots (1979-84) and the Seattle Seahawks in 1985. Sanford was named an “All-Pro” in 1983 after recording seven interceptions with the Patriots.
In addition to Sanford, the “Class of 2021” included Jeff Bostic, Peter Boulware, Dwayne Harper, and Chester McGlockton, who was inducted posthumously as a Legacy Inductee. CCU quarterback Grayson McCall was awarded the Blanchard-Rogers trophy, presented to the most outstanding college player with ties to SC. McCall earned the award after leading the Chanticleers to their first ever bowl victory last December. His season totals included an amazing 73% completion percentage with 27 TDs and only 3 INTs.
Both Sanford and McCall stopped by #SportsTalk on Friday to discuss the festivities. For McCall, it was a chance to look back on this past season and peer ahead to the upcoming year for CCU. For Sanford, it was an opportunity to reflect on a terrific football career while getting a chance to scratch his radio itch once more.
HOF Inductee Rick Sanford — SportsTalk Conversation
CCU QB Grayson McCall — SportsTalk Conversation
