(7-8-08)

Former Javelina and NFL football star John Randle has been elected to the Lone Star Conference Hall of Honor. Randle joins Sarah Butler Carthel of West Texas A&M, and Arthur James of East Texas State (now Texas A&M-Commerce) as members of the 2008 class.

Randle becomes the ninth Javelina to become a member of the LSC Hall of Honor joining Johnny Bailey (2000/football), Sid Blanks (2002/football), Darrell Green (1998/football), Ron Harms (2003/football coach), Fred Nuesch (2005/sports information director), Richard Ritchie (1999/football), Gil Steinke (1996/football coach) and Gene Upshaw (1997/football).

This is not the first collegiate football honor for Randle this year. He will become the sixth Javelina football player inducted into the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame on July 19 in South Bend, Ind.

Randle, a native of Hearne, Texas, came to Texas A&I (now Texas A&M-Kingsville) in 1988 after two seasons at Trinity Valley Junior College.

A defensive end for the Javelinas, Randle had a spectacular two-year career, leading the team to a 20-4 record, a pair of Lone Star Conference titles and two trips to the NCAA Division II playoffs, including a spot in the 1988 semifinals.

As a junior in 1988, Randle was a first team AP Little All-America selection, a first team All-LSC Pick and was voted the league Lineman of the Year. In 10 regular season games he had 37 solo tackles, 21 assisted tackles, one fumble recovery and an amazing 20 quarterback sacks. During the Javelinas' three playoff games he had two quarterback sacks, a fumble recovery and 12 total tackles. The Javelinas led the LSC in rush defense, allowing only 110 yards per game and nine total rushing touchdowns. The Javelinas went 10-3 and advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

As a senior in 1989, Randle earned first team All-America recognition from the Football Gazette, was again voted the LSC Lineman of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the Year and earned first team All-LSC honors. He was also named to the LSC Team of the Decade. Randle had 33 solo tackles, 14 assisted tackles and 14 quarterback sacks in 10 regular season games. The Javelinas won another conference title, going 7-0 and finished 10-1 overall, falling the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

During his two seasons he played alongside some of the greatest players in Javelina history including Johnny Bailey and Heath Sherman.

After his Javelina career, Randle established himself as one of the greatest interior lineman in NFL history.

Randle played 14 years in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks. Named an All-Pro seven times, he recorded double-digit sacks during eight different seasons, including a career-high and league-leading 15.5 sacks in 1997. He retired as the league's all-time leader in sacks by a defensive tackle (137.5).

Randle will receive the LSC's signature Hall of Honor award, a 15-inch custom-sculpted eagle figurine mounted on a cherrywood base.

Sean Johnson
Javelina Athletics

www.javelinaathletics.com