It can be said Bobby Anderson’s trip to the College Football Hall of Fame started in secret behind a tarp.
In early October 1969, Colorado coach Eddie Crowder conducted practice on a cloaked field designed to hide his switch of Anderson from quarterback to running back. As the Buffs warmed up in a snowstorm against Indiana on Oct. 4, Anderson did so at quarterback.
On the first offensive series of the game, he hit the field as CU’s starting tailback.
“There were probably just a handful of boosters and Buff Clubbers that came out to practice every day that might have known,” Anderson said. “I’m not sure if the media knew about it. They probably did, but they kept it under wraps, too. It was a total surprise.”
Starting that day, Anderson ran through the competition, into the CU record book and now into the College Football Hall of Fame. Anderson was announced Tuesday as one of 15 new members who will be inducted Dec. 5 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. Official enshrinement will take place next summer in South Bend, Ind., home of the Hall of Fame.
“It’s just a thrill that it’s happening,” said Anderson, also a former Boulder High School star who had been on the Hall of Fame ballot since 1994.
Anderson proved to be one of the brightest stars in college football from 1967-69, setting 18 records at CU and finishing 11th in Heisman Trophy balloting in 1969. He was a consensus All-American that year. He set a Big Eight career record with 4,565 yards of total offense and is one of only three former Buffs to have his jersey (No. 11) retired.
He played two years and two games at quarterback before giving way to Paul Arendt and making the move to tailback.
“Bobby Anderson is as worthy of this honor as anyone I know,” Crowder said in a statement.
“He was totally devoted to the team as any person I’ve ever known. Those are the attributes and characteristics that had to prompt him being selected.”
One of Anderson’s most memorable performances came against Alabama in CU’s 47-33 Liberty Bowl victory in 1969 when he rushed for 254 yards and scored three touchdowns.
His brother, Dick Anderson, also a former CU star from Boulder High School, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993.
“I’ve kind of tagged along with him all my life,” Bobby Anderson said. “That is fun.”
Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-820-5455 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
Awaiting induction
A look at the 2006 class selected for College Football Hall of Fame induction, to take place in New York in December. Enshrinement at the Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind., is set for the summer of 2007:
PLAYERS
Bobby Anderson, QB-RB, Colorado, 1967-69; Bennie Blades, DB, Miami, 1985-87; Carl Eller, T, Minnesota, 1961-63; Steve Emtman, DL, Washington, 1989-91; Thomas Everett, FS, Baylor, 1983-86; Chad Hennings, DT, Air Force, 1984-87; Chip Kell, G, Tennessee, 1968-70; Mike Phipps, QB, Purdue, 1967-69; Mike Rozier, RB, Nebraska, 1981-83; Jeff Siemon, LB, Stanford, 1968-71; Bruce Smith, DT, Virginia Tech, 1981-84; Emmitt Smith, RB, Florida, 1987-89; Charlie Ward, QB, Florida State, 1989, 1991-93.
COACHES
Bobby Bowden, Samford, 1959-62, West Virginia, 1970-75, Florida State, 1976-present, 359-107-4 career record; Joe Paterno, Penn State, 1966-present, 354-117-3.
