ESPN REPORT: Texas Longhornsโ Legend Earl Campbell Named Greatest of All Time in College Football
In a stunning declaration that cements his legacy among footballโs elite, ESPN has named Texas Longhorns icon Earl Campbell the Greatest of All Time in College Football. The announcement came following a nationwide fan vote and expert panel analysis, which placed Campbell ahead of legendary players such as Herschel Walker (Georgia), Tim Tebow (Florida Gators), and Archie Griffin (Ohio State).
Campbell, affectionately known as the “Tyler Rose,” played for the University of Texas from 1974 to 1977, where he dominated the college football landscape with his rare blend of power, speed, and vision. His 1977 season, in particular, is the stuff of legend โ Campbell rushed for 1,744 yards and scored 19 touchdowns, earning him the Heisman Trophy and solidifying his status as a Texas football icon.
According to ESPN, Campbellโs impact went beyond stats. โEarl Campbell wasnโt just a great player โ he was a force of nature,โ said ESPN college football analyst Rece Davis. โHe defined an era of physical, smashmouth football and carried the Longhorns on his back. No one was more feared by defenders or respected by teammates.โ
Campbellโs GOAT selection comes as part of ESPNโs celebratory project commemorating 150 years of college football. The campaign invited fans, players, and historians to vote and debate the greatest to ever play the game at the collegiate level. After months of deliberation, Campbell emerged as the consensus pick.
Beating out other titans like Herschel Walker, who powered Georgia to a national title in 1980; Tim Tebow, a two-time national champion and 2007 Heisman winner; and Archie Griffin, the only two-time Heisman recipient, Campbell’s recognition speaks volumes about his dominance and influence.
The University of Texas community erupted in celebration after the announcement. โThis is a proud day for Longhorn Nation,โ said Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte. โEarl Campbellโs greatness is now immortalized on the national stage โ where it has always belonged.โ
Campbellโs legacy has long been revered in Austin. His No. 20 jersey is retired, and he was inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame (1990) and the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1991). But this new title adds the final jewel to an already glittering crown.
From the fields of Darrell K RoyalโTexas Memorial Stadium to the halls of college football history, Earl Campbell stands alone โ the greatest of them all.
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