Beattie Feathers, College Football Hall of Fame Class of 1955

Beattie Feathers was a decorated athlete, and a phenomenal talent. While he was primarily playing behind three time All-American and future Hall of Famer Gene McEvers, Feathers scored 32 touchdowns in 30 career games as a Volunteer. He ended his time in Knoxville as the school’s career rushing leader with 1,888 yards. Beattie Feathers was especially spectacular for Tennessee in 1933, and the world recognized that. He was awarded All-American honors as well as the SEC’s Most Valuable Player. A multi-sport athlete, Feathers signed with the Cincinnati Reds after graduation. He was also drafted by the Chicago Bears, where he became the first player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season, a feat he achieved as a rookie while leading the team to a 13-0 record. He would go on to coach Football from 1942-1951 at Appalachian State and North Carolina State before coaching baseball at Wake Forest for 24 24. Feathers’ rushing record would stand until the 1971 season, when running back Curt Watson would finally break it. Propelled by his impressive two-year stretch of success, Feathers landed in the College Football Hall of Fame a year after former teammate Eugene McEver.