July 23, 2002

PINEHURST, N.C. - Four former University of Maryland football greats -- Randy White, Stan Jones, Bob Pellegrini and Boomer Esiason -- have been named to the Atlantic Coast Conference's 50th Anniversary Football Team, which was announced Tuesday at the league's annual preseason football media event here.

The 50-member team was voted on by a 120-member blue-ribbon committee that was selected by the league's 50th Anniversary Committee. The ACC, which was originally formed on May 8, 1953 in Greensboro, N.C., celebrates its 50th anniversary during the 2002-03 school year. The celebration will conclude on May 8, 2003 with a special Greensboro commemoration of the ACC's creation. Over the next two months, the ACC will announce 50th anniversary teams that have been selected in all of the ACC's current 25 championship sports, as well as two discontinued championship sports (women's gymnastics, fencing).

White, a member of the college and pro football Halls of Fame, was on hand here as Maryland's anniversary team representative and met with media at a morning press conference to discuss his selection.

"This is a great honor," said White, a two-time All-American who won both the Lombardi and Outland trophies during his senior season of 1974. "Any time you get recognized as one of the best as what you did, it makes you feel good. But you also appreciate all of your coaches and teammates."

A 6-4, 225-pounder coming out of high school in Wilmington, Del., White was recruited by most schools across the county, but selected the Terps over his other scholarship offers from Arizona State and Virginia Tech. "I remember me and my dad sitting in [then Maryland coach] Roy Lester's office. He said, 'I'm not sure you can play at the University of Maryland, but we're going to give you a scholarship,'" said White. "Those were his exact words."

Of course, White went on to one of the most stellar careers in ACC history, winning league Player of the Year honors in 1974 and setting the Maryland career tackle for loss record with 122. He was later inducted into the National College Football Foundation Hall of Fame. The No. 2 overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1975 NFL draft, White enjoyed a 14-year pro career that included sharing Super Bowl XII MVP honors with teammate Harvey Martin as the Cowboys defeated the Denver Broncos at the Superdome in New Orleans.

"When I went to Maryland I was just happy for the opportunity to go to college," White said. "When the awards and recognition started coming in I never slowed down to pat myself on the back. I was always motivated by fear -- the fear of not succeeding, the fear of not being prepared, the fear of not playing the best you could.

"I was fortunate to play for a coach -- Jerry Claiborne -- who laid a foundation for me to go to the pro level," White continued. "I really enjoyed my time at the University of Maryland. Looking back, it is one of the best times of my life."

Now 49 and looking as if he could still suit up and terrorize opposing NFL quarterbacks, White lives in a small town about 40 miles north of Dallas. He occupies his time as a part owner of a telecommunications business and as a restaurant owner. He also does promotional work for various companies, "but what I really like to do is team rope and fish," he laughed.

A glance at Maryland's ACC 50th Anniversary Football Team representatives:

Boomer Esiason (1981-83) A two-time All-American honorable mention selection ... completed 461 career passes for 6,259 yards (ranks second in both on Maryland career charts) ... recorded 42 collegiate touchdown passes, 1,0006 total offensive plays and 6,081 total offensive yards ... a second-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1984 ... his best season with the Bengals was in 1988 when he led the NFL with a 97.4 passer rating, and helped the Bengals win the AFC championship and advance to Super Bowl XXII ... competed in the NFL for 13 seasons.

Stan Jones (1951-53) All-America tackle in 1953 ... led the Maryland defense that allowed only 31 points and recorded six shutouts during the regular season ... All-NFL in 1955, 1956, 1959 and 1960 ... played in seven straight Pro Bowls (1956-62) ... a member of the Chicago Bears from 1954-65 ... enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991 ... inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.

Bob Pellegrini (1953-55) A consensus All-American center, first team All-ACC pick and ACC Player of the Year in 1955 ... switched from guard before his senior year to become one of the best at his position ... also the Terps' top defensive player in '55 ... a National College Football Hall of Fame selection in 1996 ... was a 6-2, 215-pound guard for the 1953 national championship team ... a first-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1956.

Randy White (1972-74) Player whose combination of strength and quickness made him a prototypical defensive lineman of his day ... Outland and Lombardi winner in 1974 ... ACC Player of the Year in 1974 ... AP All-American in 1973 and a consensus All-American in 1974 ... inductee of the National College and Pro Football Halls of Fame ... career tackle for loss leader at Maryland with 122 ... perennial All-Pro with the Dallas Cowboys (1975-88) and co-MVP of Super Bowl XII.