March 24, 2003

Columbia, Mo. - Former University of Missouri standout Roger Wehrli has been chosen as one of 13 individuals who will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, as announced today by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.

A consensus All-American defensive back in 1968, Wehrli led the nation with 40 punt returns for 478 yards while leading Mizzou with seven interceptions. To cap off an 8-3 season, Wehrli had a decisive interception to help lead the Tigers to a 35-10 victory over Alabama in the Gator Bowl. A Senior Bowl participant in 1968, he was later named to the 50-Year Anniversary All-Senior Bowl Team in 1999.

Named Big Eight Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 1968, Wehrli twice earned All-Conference first team honors. A charter member of the MU Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame (1990), Wehrli holds school records for career punt returns (92), and yards gained on punt returns in a game (156), season (478) and career (1,062).

A first round NFL Draft choice by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1969, Wehrli played 14 years in the professional ranks, earning Pro Bowl recognition seven times.

Joining Wehrli as part of the 2003 College Football Hall of Fame Class include players Ricky Bell (USC), Murry Bowden (Dartmouth), Tom Brown (Minnesota), Jimbo Covert (Pittsburgh), Jerry LeVias (SMU), Billy Neighbors (Alabama), Ron Pritchard (Arizona State), John Rauch (Georgia), Barry Sanders (Oklahoma State) and Joe Theismann (Notre Dame). Also going in this year as coaches are Doug Dickey (Tennessee and Florida) and Hayden Fry (SMU, North Texas State and Iowa).

The 2003 College Football Hall of Fame class will be inducted at the 46th Annual Awards Dinner on December 9, 2003, at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. They will be officially enshrined at the Hall in South Bend, Ind., in 2004.

Wehrli will become the 13th person with ties to Mizzou to be inducted into the College Hall of Fame. He will join standouts Bill Roper (Coach, 1951), Paul Christman (Quarterback, 1960), Don Faurot (Coach, 1961), Bob Steuber (Halfback, 1971), James Phelan (Coach, 1973), Ed "Brick" Travis (Tackle, 1974), Darold Jenkins (Center, 1976), Frank Broyles (Coach, 1983), John Waldorf (Official, 1984), Dan Devine (Coach, 1985), Johnny Roland (Halfback, 1998) and Kellen Winslow (Tight End, 2002).