Cross to be enshrined in College Football Hall of Fame

By Meghan Rose

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Randy Cross had a decorated professional football career, one complete with three Super Bowl rings and three Pro Bowl selections.

But this weekend, he’ll be recognized for his collegiate career at UCLA when he is enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind.

“It recognizes a couple of things,” the Alpharetta resident said of the honor. “First of all, those of us that had success at pro level had college careers before that.”

On Saturday night, Cross will be honored alongside 19 other players and coaches. This year’s class includes former Purdue quarterback Mark Herrmann and former Michigan wide receiver Desmond Howard, among others.

The honor will mean even more to Cross when the Hall of Fame relocates from South Bend to downtown Atlanta in the fall of 2013.

“It’ll make it much easier for me to stay in contact with it and go to future events,” Cross said of the hall’s move to Atlanta.

He added jokingly, “You’ll be able to drop in and see those college pictures you wished you were better prepared for.”

To be eligible for enshrinement, players must have received first-team All-American recognition, they may no longer be playing professionally, and their college careers must have ended at least 10 years before. Once nominated, candidates are submitted to screening districts based on geographic locations, who then decide on the official ballot.

Before he was drafted by San Francisco with the 42nd overall pick in the 1976 NFL draft, Cross was part of an explosive offensive line at UCLA.

After playing offensive and defensive line on the freshman team, Cross was moved to center as a sophomore. As a junior, Cross played guard before he began to alternate between the two positions as a senior on an offense that featured two interchangeable lines.

Cross would play guard with the first-team line for a number of series before he moved to center with the second line coming in.

“Being an offensive lineman, you find yourself part of a group,” Cross said. “You get touched by special people.”

His final game as a Bruin was memorable. After losing to Ohio State 41-20 earlier in the season, UCLA prepared for a rematch against the Buckeyes in the 1976 Rose Bowl. In that game, the Bruins handed top-ranked Ohio State its first loss of the season 23-10.

“The [UCLA] team the Buckeyes played earlier that season was totally different from the team they faced on the first of January,” Cross said.

For Cross, the honor isn’t his alone. “The recognition is also for all of the guys I’ve played with and the coaches I had through that time,” Cross said.

This year’s Hall of Fame class includes Cross and players Dennis Byrd, Ronnie Caveness, Ray Childress, Dexter Coakley, Sam Cunningham, Michael Favor, Charles Haley, Herrmann, Clarkston Hines, Howard, Mickey Kobrosky, Chett Moeller, Jerry Stovall, Pat Tillman and Alfred Williams. Additionally, coaches Barry Alvarez, Mike Kelly, Bill Manlove, and Gene Stallings will be inducted.