 
Longhorns celebrate Football honors Saturday
Saturday will be a busy day for Longhorn football honors with Senior Day, Veterans Appreciation Day, and three former grid stars recognized as new members of the Longhorn Hall of Honor as part of activities surrounding the Letterwinners' Round-Up. But the biggest award of all will be reserved for former Longhorn defensive back Johnnie Johnson, who will receive his on-the-field recognition during ceremonies at the Texas-Texas Tech game for his upcoming induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. Johnson, who now resides in Los Angeles, will be accepting his plaque on behalf of The University of Texas. On Dec. 4 during ceremonies at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, Johnson will officially be welcomed into the elite of college football along with other members of the class of 2007. Steve Hatchell, president of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, will make Saturday's presentation. Johnson, a two-time all-American defensive back during his career at Texas from 1976 through 1979, becomes the 14th Longhorn player named to the Hall, and the 16th overall inductee, including coaches Dana X. Bible and Darrell Royal. Other Longhorns in the Hall of Fame include end Hub Bechtol from the 1940s; running back Earl Campbell, who played with Johnson in the late 1970s; Chris Gilbert, running back, 1960s; Malcolm Kutner, end, 1939-41; Bobby Layne, quarterback, 1940s; Roosevelt Leaks, running back, 1970s; Bud McFadin, guard, 1948-50; Tommy Nobis, linebacker, 1963-65; James Saxton, running back, 1959-61; Harley Sewell, guard, 1950-52; Jerry Sisemore, tackle, 1970-72; Bud Sprague, tackle, 1923-24; and Harrison Stafford, halfback, 1930-32. Included in the induction to the Longhorn Hall of Honor are three former football players, including Randy McEachern, who was the Texas quarterback when Johnson helped lead a Texas defense that contributed to a No. 1 final regular season ranking in 1977. Also inducted to the Longhorn Hall of Honor are running back Priest Holmes, who will be unable to attend the ceremonies because he is making a comeback from injury with the Kansas City Chiefs, and Charlie Talbert, an all-star end on the 1963 Texas National Championship team. The Senior Day ceremonies will honor players, and support personnel and their parents in pregame ceremonies.
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