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By John Hernandez
Rex Mirich, San Manuel Alumni class of 1959, was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Arizona State College at Flagstaff (now NAU) Lumberjacks football team.
Rex played for the San Manuel Miner’s football team and earned a full ride scholarship to Arizona State College. Rex was a four year letterman for the Lumberjacks and was named the team captain his senior season. He earned first team NAIA All American honors his junior and senior years at two different positions, a unique accomplishment.
In 1962, Mirich was named to the first team as a defensive guard. He was All American offensive tackle in 1963. Rex was named to the NAU Athletic Hall of fame in 2006. He is the first athlete from Northern Arizona University to be named to the College Football Hall of Fame.
In 1963 Rex was drafted by the National Football League Minnesota Vikings in the 16th round and by the American Football League Oakland Raiders in the 20th round. Rex spent seven years in the NFL as a defensive lineman playing for Oakland 1964-1966, Denver Broncos 1967-1969 and the Boston Patriots (New England Patriots) 1970.
Being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor. Since college football began in 1869, only 918 players and 200 coaches have been named to the Hall of Fame out of 4.86 million athletes that have played or coached during that time.
Rex will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame during the Enshrinement Festival July 20-21 in South Bend, Indiana.
Rex Mirich, All American, Hall of Fame and a San Manuel Miner.
Congratulations Rex, you make us all proud.
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