From staff reports
The Athens Review
CANTON, Ohio —
Yeah, that Trinity Valley Community College. You heard correctly.
Within the first couple of minutes of his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speech Saturday, former TVCC Cardinal football player John Randle referenced his time in Athens in 1986 and 1987.
Randle was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a Minnesota Viking — the NFL team with which he spent most of his career.
Many may not have know Randle played junior college ball at TVCC — until Saturday, when he took time to thank one of his coaches.
“I’d also like to thank Keith Waters, who many of you may not know, Keith coached me at Trinity Valley Community College,” Randle said during his induction speech. “He also convinced me ... to continue with my dream of playing football when I was uncertain about college and my future.”
Randle was a seven-time NFL Pro Bowler for the Vikings at defensive line. He made his first Pro Bowl in 1993 after recording 11.5 sacks. He posted double-digit sack totals in eight seasons, including an NFL-leading 15.5 in 1997.
Randle went on to be named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s, finishing his career in 2003 with 137.5 sacks.
Last year, Randle was enshrined in the TVCC Hall of Fame. It was the school’s second induction class. Additionally, he is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
