Keenum’s, Klingler’s No. 7 to be retired
The University of Houston is taking the No. 7 off the market.
The school announced plans Wednesday to retire the football jersey number in honor of recordsetting quarterbacks Case Keenum and David Klingler.
The official ceremony will be held Oct. 29, when the Cougars host Central Florida at TDECU Stadium.
The honor marks just the third time the school has retired a jersey, joining the No. 11 worn by 1989 Heisman Trophy winner Andre Ware and the No. 78 worn by 1976 Lombardi Award winner Wilson Whitley. Both Ware and Whitley are in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Keenum, one of the most popular players in any sport in school history, ended his collegiate career in 2011 as owner of 17 NCAA records and 37 career wins.
A two-time winner of the Sammy Baugh Trophy, Keenum set NCAA career records for total offense (20,114), touchdown passes (155), passing yards (19,217), completions (1,546) and 300-yard games (39). With Keenum at quarterback, UH led the nation in total offense in 2009 and 2011.
Keenum was named Conference USA freshman of the year in 2007, offensive player of the year in 2008 and league MVP in 2009 and 2011.
“When coach (Tom) Herman called I was completely surprised and honored,” Keenum said by phone from London, where the Los Angeles Rams play the New York Giants this weekend as part of the NFL International Series. “I know everybody’s excited to be a Cougar, just how those guys are playing. I’ll always be excited and proud to be a Coog.”
Klingler was at the controls during the Cougars’ recordsetting Run-N-Shoot days of the early 90s. He finished his career with 15 NCAA records, including passing yards per game (467.3) in 1990 when he was named Southwest Conference offensive player of the year, winning of the Sammy Baugh Trophy and thirdteam All-American. During that season, Klinger set a record with 11 passing touchdowns against Eastern Washington.
He had five career games with at least seven touchdowns, including an NCAA record eight in one quarter against Louisiana Tech in 1991.
After UH, Klingler was the sixth overall pick in the 1992 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He spent six seasons in the NFL with the Bengals and Oakland Raiders.
Klingler earned a master’s degree in theology and a Ph.D. in Old Testament studies from Dallas Theological Seminary, where he currently serves as an associate professor of Biblical Exposition.
To have a jersey retired, a former player must meet at least two requirements, among them: induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, win a major national award, be a consensus All-American, win a conference MVP or Player of the Year award, be a three-time all-conference first-team selection and hold at least five NCAA records over a 10-year span.
True freshmen receiver Marquez Stevenson and cornerback Patrick Rosette are currently wearing No. 7 this season and will switch jersey numbers following the season.