Ticket and General Information
PHILADELPHIA – Former ACU great Wilbert Montgomery has been selected for induction this year into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame.
Montgomery and the other 15 members of this year's class will be inducted during ceremonies on Nov. 10, at the Sheraton Society Hill in Philadelphia. Among the other Philadelphia greats being inducted along with Montgomery are former Eagles linebacker Bill Bergey, NFL Films founder Ed Sabol and his son, Steve; former 76ers great Moses Malone; and a pair of early 20th Century baseball standouts in Curt Simmons and Jimmy Dykes.
Montgomery has also been inducted into the ACU Sports Hall of Fame, the Lone Star Conference Hall of Honor, the Philadelphia Eagles' Honor Roll, and the College Football Hall of Fame.
Montgomery is currently in his fourth season as the running backs coach for the Baltimore Ravens. Last year he coached Ravens running back Ray Rice to the NFL's third-most yards from scrimmage (1,776). Prior to coaching with the Ravens, Montgomery coaching for two seasons in Detroit (2006-07) and nine years in St. Louis (1997-2005), helping the Rams to a pair of Super Bowl appearances, including a win in Super Bowl XXXIV.
Montgomery was one of the NFL's premier running backs during his nine-year professional career, eight of which he spent with the Eagles. Drafted in the sixth round of the 1977 NFL Draft, Montgomery made his most immediate impact on special teams. As a rookie he led the NFC in kickoff return average (26.9 yards per return) and had a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Giants.
He earned the first of his two Pro Bowl selections in 1978 as he gained 1,220 yards and scored nine touchdowns on 259 carries. In 1979 he earned a second trip to the Pro Bowl after he led the NFL in combined yards from scrimmage with 2,012.
His 1980 season was limited because of injuries, but he did help the Eagles to Super Bowl XV with a 20-7 win over Dallas. In the NFC Championship game on Jan. 11, 1981, Montgomery had his finest day as a pro, carrying the ball 26 times for 194 yards and one touchdown to lead the Eagles to the victory.
He would play in Philadelphia for four more seasons before finishing his career in 1985 in Detroit.
Montgomery finished his professional career with 6,789 yard and 45 touchdowns on 1,540 carries. He is still the Eagles' all-time leader in rushing yards, (6,538), carries (1,465), yards in a season (1,512 in 1979), career 100-yard rushing games (26), 100-yard rushing games in a season (eight in 1981), and rushing TDs in a game (three).
Montgomery re-wrote the ACU record books during his Wildcat career (1973-76). While at ACU he scored more touchdowns in one regular season (31 in 1973) and in a career (76) than any other player in college football at the time. He earned first team all-America honors as a freshman in 1973 after leading ACU to the NAIA Division I national championship.
He is still ACU's all-time leading scorer with 422 career points, and his 76 touchdowns is still the ACU record as well. He ran for a school-record 3,047 yards on 546 carries. He was named the Offensive MVP of ACU's all-Century Team in 2005.
