NFL legends to serve as captains on Saturday
NEW YORK (Jan. 23)-- Two-time All-Pro selection Donnie Edwards, seven-time Pro Bowler Torry Holt, three-time Pro Bowler Tony Richardson and Pro Bowl linebacker Mike Rucker will serve as the 2019 Senior Bowl Legends Captains, the NFL announced today.
“These four Legends Captains represent the total embodiment of the game, both on and off the field,” said Troy Vincent, NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations. “They will inspire these student athletes with hands-on expertise, the values of the game, and the competitive spirit that characterized their combined 45 years of NFL playing experience.”
The four Legends captains will be split into two teams. Richardson and Rucker will serve as mentors to the North team, while Edwardsand Holt represent the South.
“The Reese’s Senior Bowl is honored to have the NFL Legends program associated with our game for a second year,” said Jim Nagy, Executive Director of the Reese's Senior Bowl. “Torry Holt, Tony Richardson, Donnie Edwards, and Mike Rucker are all consummate professionals and our game’s players will greatly benefit from their mentorship during the week.”
Holt and Richardson are members of the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame.
DONNIE EDWARDS:A two-time All-Pro selection at linebacker, Edwards enjoyed a 13-year NFL playing experience with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers. Since 2000, Edwards is one of two players with at least 125 tackles in seven consecutive seasons (2000-06) and is one of 15 players since 1982 with 20 sacks (23) and 20 interceptions (28) in their career. At UCLA, where he also played baseball, Edwards ranks in the top-eight in school history with 22.5 sacks. Since retirement, Edwards has devoted himself to philanthropy and supporting the U.S. military, including being a part of the NFL Legends USO Tour in Japan this past year.
TORRY HOLT: A seven-time Pro Bowl selection, Holt was a vital member of the St. Louis Rams and the “Greatest Show on Turf”, helping the franchise win Super Bowl XXXIV. A member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s, his 11-year NFL playing experience was highlighted by ten seasons with the Rams, where he became the only player in NFL history to record 1,300 receiving yards in six consecutive seasons. Holt ranks second in Rams’ franchise history in receptions (869), receiving yards (12,660) and touchdown catches (74).
TONY RICHARDSON: A three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro selection at fullback, Richardson enjoyed a 16-year playing experience with the Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets. While known for his blocking ability and paving the way for stars such as Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson and Adrian Peterson, Richardson also led the Chiefs in rushing during the 2000 season and was inducted into team’s Hall of Fame in 2016. The former Auburn Tiger earned a spot on the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000’s.
MIKE RUCKER:A second-round selection in the 1999 NFL Draft, Rucker enjoyed an eight-year playing experience with the Carolina Panthers. In 2003, Rucker recorded a career-high 12 sacks and earned Pro Bowl honors while helping the Panthers advance to their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. A vital member of the 1995 and 1997 Nebraska national championship teams, Rucker ranks in the top-ten on the school’s all-time list of tackles for loss. Rucker currently commentates preseason Panthers games on the Panthers Television Network.