Member Biography

When it came to advancing the football, few players did it as well as Navy's Napoleon McCallum. As the French Emperor gained territory across Europe, this Napoleon gained ground in football stadiums across the nation. McCallum's historical ties were also linked to John Paul Jones, as a promotional poster was made of McCallum dressed as the Revolutionary War hero, stating "I have not yet begun to run." But run he did, as in both 1983 and 1985, McCallum led the nation in all-purpose yardage. At the time of his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame he was second on the all-time NCAA list. McCallum became a starter in his sophomore year before his breakout 1983 season, when he became a consensus All-America and finished sixth in the Heisman voting after scoring 11 touchdowns and gaining 2,385 all-purpose yards. In 1984, McCallum broke his ankle in the second game of the season. He was granted an extra year of eligibility and returned for his senior year in 1985. He once again led the nation in all-purpose yardage and was seventh in rushing, tenth in kickoff returns and 14th in scoring. In addition he repeated as a consensus All-America and placed seventh in the Heisman balloting. Due to his commitments to Naval service, his professional career was interrupted. Still, he managed to play five years in the professional ranks with the Los Angeles Raiders.