Nolan Cromwell, a Kansas University football standout from 1973-76, will be added to the Ring of Honor at Memorial Stadium during halftime ceremonies of KU’s Oct. 29 game against Missouri.
Cromwell will be the 13th former Jayhawk added to the Ring and the first who was not named a first-team All-American.
Cromwell was, however, named Big Eight offensive player of the year in 1975 after rushing for 1,124 yards – the third-highest total by a quarterback in NCAA history at that time.
A graduate of tiny Ransom High, Cromwell was the Jayhawks’ starting free safety as a true freshman in the 1973 Liberty Bowl. He also started at free safety in 1974, then was switched to quarterback when first-year coach Bud Moore installed the wishbone offense in 1975.
His 294 yards rushing against Oregon State on Sept. 27, 1975, was an NCAA record for a quarterback at the time. As a senior in 1976, Cromwell played only half the season after suffering a knee injury against Oklahoma.
Cromwell also earned All-America honors as an intermediate hurdler.
For the last 26 years, he has been associated with the National Football League – the first 11 as a Pro Bowl-caliber safety, and the last 15 as an assistant coach.
A second-round draft choice of the Los Angeles Rams in 1977, Cromwell played his entire 11-year career for the Rams, earning four Pro Bowl berths, an NFC Defensive Player of the Year award in 1980, and an NFL Defensive Back of the Year award (Football Digest) in 1984.
Cromwell, 50, now works as wide receivers coach for the Seattle Seahawks. He has also been an assistant coach with the Rams and Green Bay Packers.
Cromwell will be able to attend the KU-MU game because the Seahawks have a bye that weekend.
