University of Minnesota Athletics
Sandy Stephens - M Club Hall of Fame
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Sandy Stephens
Football, 1959-61
HOF Class of 1994
From Uniontown, PA, Sandy Stephens came to the University of Minnesota in 1959, and led the Gophers to the 1960 national championship and two Rose Bowl appearances, including their 21-3 Rose Bowl win over UCLA in 1961.
The option quarterback threw for nearly 1,500 yards and rushed for 20 touchdowns in his three-season Gopher career, leading his team in total offense and scoring each season. He also played safety, punted and returned kicks.
In 1961, Stephens became the first African-American to be named an All-American, after he posted 1,151 yards of total offense. He was also the Big Ten MVP and the College Back of the Year, and finished fourth in Heisman Trophy balloting.
Stephens was drafted in the first round by the New York Titans of the American Football league and Cleveland had his NFL rights. Both wanted to convert him to a receiver. To remain a quarterback, he signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football league, playing three seasons before a near-fatal car accident. Expected never to walk again, he underwent two years of rehabilitation, and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Stephens was inducted into the Rose Bowl and Pennsylvania Halls of Fame. The Golden Gophers retired his No. 15 jersey in 2000.