3 inducted into Ring of Honor
Arizona State football brought its Ring of Honor to an even 20, inducting former greats Al Harris, Mike Richardson and Leon Burton at halftime of its game against No. 20 Washington on Saturday.
The three join the likes of quarterback Danny White and former coach Frank Kush in the fraternity of former Sun Devils.
“I wouldn’t have a job and our players wouldn’t have the opportunity without them,” coach Todd Graham said. “You look at these guys and what they’re able to accomplish, not only here as Sun Devils but in the NFL. What they mean to our program, it’s what ASU’s all about.”
Burton played running back for the Sun Devils from 1955 to 1958, and is fifth among ASU players in career rushing yards with 2,994. He is second in single-game rushing yardage (243) and career rushing touchdowns (34). He played one season of pro ball with the New York Titans in 1960.
Richardson was a defensive back from 1979 to 1982, and holds the school’s career interceptions record with 18. He went on to record 20 interceptions over seven seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears.
“It’s really nice to be acknowledged,” Richardson said. “One of the things that I’m still struggling with is how do I have the interception record still? That’s going to be my message to the kids. I need somebody to break these records.”
Harris, a defensive lineman from 1975 to 1978, is second in single-season sacks (19) and tackles for loss (24). He was taken ninth overall in the1979 draft by the Bears, and recorded 20.5 sacks over 11 years in the NFL.
All three players were honored at an alumni luncheon Fri- day at the Phoenix Marriott Tempe at the Buttes.
“I remember when Al was sacking quarterbacks for the Bears, and Mike looks like he could still play,” Graham said at the luncheon. “I told them I might could use them (against Washington). I’m very, very proud to be a Sun Devil. That’s who we are, our heritage, and our former players are the heart and soul of our program.”
Big game for Young
The Sun Devils send out four captains before each game. Two hold the title for the entire season, while the other two are honored specifically for that game.
Against Washington, linebacker Chris Young found himself at center field for the coin toss. It was an especially meaningful game for Young, who is from Auburn, Wash., and actually signed with the Huskies out of high school before ending up at Arizona Western College.
“You could tell all week long how much it meant to him,” Graham said. “He was a captain for this game because of that.”
Young started the season at Will linebacker, but was moved to Spur, one of the defense’s more important playmaking positions, before the Notre Dame game. After two games there, and with one of the nation’s top running backs in Washington’s Bishop Sankey coming to Sun Devil Stadium, Graham moved Young back to Will, where he’s closer to the line of scrimmage.
That played a role in a defensive effort that held Sankey to just 22 rushing yards and the Huskies to minus-5.
“Chris is a phenomenal player,” Graham said. “We’re going to put him where we need to put him. Wherever you put him, you’re going to be pretty strong.”
Strong tweaks ankle
Wide receiver Jaelen Strong entered Saturday having topped 100 receiving yards in five straight games, but twisted his ankle during the game. He finished with just three catches for 7 yards.
In his absence, tight end Chris Coyle had five catches for 78 yards and a score, and receiver Kevin Ozier set career highs with eight catches for 88 yards.