UPDATE: Armstrong was inducted into the Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 4.
When Otis Armstrong came to Denver as a first-round pick in 1973, he said he was just looking to follow in fellow running back Floyd Little’s footsteps.
On Tuesday, it was announced that Armstrong has done just that, joining his former Broncos teammate in the College Football Hall of Fame in the Class of 2012.
“It means a lot to me,” Armstrong said. “When you go into the College Football Hall of Fame, that’s one of the highest honors you can achieve. I’m very, very honored.”
Armstrong attended Purdue, first flashing his potential as a sophomore in 1970. He set the school season record for rushing yards with 1,009 — just the second running back in school history to top the 1,000-yard mark.
For his career, Armstrong rushed 670 times — a school record — for 3,315 yards, which ranks second in Purdue annals. He also ranked third in career kickoff return average and was one of just two players to return more than one kickoff for a touchdown.
But as far as Armstrong is concerned, there’s one game that stands out above all others.
“My last game was a good game — actually it was my best game, so I kind of saved the best for last,” Armstrong said. “I won’t forget that game. I had almost 300 yards rushing and three touchdowns. It was a big day for me.”
The “big day” brought 276 rushing yards for Armstrong, which remains a school single-game record. Better yet, it came against arch-rival Indiana.
“Coach told me just to keep hitting it as hard as I could and eventually it would break,” he said. “And it did.”
He followed up that success with the Broncos, spending eight seasons in Denver where he ran for 4,453 yards and 25 touchdowns in addition to 1,302 yards and seven touchdowns through the air.
Armstrong won the NFL rushing title with 1,407 yards in 1974, leading the league with 5.3 yards per carry. He went to two Pro Bowls in his career, and was part of the Broncos’ first ever Super Bowl team in 1977.
“We were good — let me just put it like that,” Armstrong recalled. “That team, I think we were 12-2, we had a good nucleus. Our defense was good. We just had to score points on offense — the Orange Rush, as we used to call it.”
Armstrong said he still keeps up with the club.
“Once a Bronco, always a Bronco,” he said. “I stick with my team forever.”
But Tuesday’s announcement was all about Armstrong’s college career, and he couldn’t have been happier to receive the news that he was headed into the Hall of Fame.
“Actually they sent me a football and a little note,” he said, noting that he and his wife were jumping for joy. “They sent it first class, and when I opened it up I just couldn’t believe it.
“At last.”
Tags: College Football Hall of Fame, Floyd Little, Otis Armstrong
you still around big guy?
Do you like Wolfe?
I really like Hillman!
I thought we lost a lot of value in our trades down the draft chart and is one of the reasons we let the Xanders go…
I took a lot of gruff from imready for saying that “one of the legs on the three legged stool was loose”…. Ha! I knew it! LOL
ILMSDB!
I guess you had to get back to the real world bro…
Man it was good to hear from you bay…..
Sail on strong winds brother….
ILMSDB!!!!!
BRONC ON!! BRO!!!!!
Can I say 10-5-1 and donate my Orton jersey, OC?!?!
And! I’ll buy my own #18, go to the playoff game on my own dime, meet the two of you and buy the first round of microbrews…
Glad to see Bay posting from time to time,keep on keepin’ on bro!!!!!
OC,I’d like to get in on that contest too,but I’m saying 11-5,our tie breaker will be how many TDs PM throws I say 35!
BFE
OC While Xanders was in charge of those trades Fox and Elway both knew about them and agreed to go for it. Its not like Xanders made without them knowing. Either Fox or Elway couldve said get a little more or try to. BUT Xanders shouldve done his best to get the best offer BEFORE he went to them and for all we know he told them those were the best they could get.
We really just dont know. Theres many things that could be. So we cant really say Xanders was horrible for those trades and act like Elway and Fox didnt know about them because they did. The worst trade IMO was the Lloyd trade for a 5th round. He was at least a 4th IMO. It just screams that we just dumped him off for nothing because he didnt fit in. Bothers me some.
Man I never seem to be here when Bay is on! So I just want to say hello!
FTR
Bfe i paid my dues
Ok I want in with the OC and BFE contest: What’s the rules just record the TD vs INT?
FTR
I say 9-7 and manning throws 33 tds
Xanders was simply inept IMO. It just seemed too often like he was cutting his teeth at our expense.. I have nothing against him personally, but I’m glad he is no longer with our organization.
Im kidding. I don’t have an Orton Jersey. I don’t think we will tie and I won’t buy the #18…I’m thinking 78…the year of my birth. Or, 92…. Hmmm.
OT you know I agree on that one. He isnt fit to be a GM. To much responsibility for him that I just dont think he can handle well.
Heres my first game prediction in case anyone missed it lol
Im going to go out on a limb and say game 1 vs Steelers they shut down our run game and Manning throws for 600+ yards and 7 TDs Decker and DT get 2 TDs apiece and 125 yards for Decker 150 for DT. Tamme pulls in 1 TD and 100 yards Hillman pulls in one TDs and 60 yards Dreesen gets 75 yards Stokley gets 40 yards Caldwell gets 35 and Page gets 15 on 1 catch for a TD.
A little much??
I will have a brand new Grand Baby born a Bronco Fan delivered Friday by c sec at around 7 am. Humm I like 7 am sounds like Elway time! LMOL!
FTR
wow but yet that is the team u have missing the playoffs lol
Bay good to see you post. Take your cutler Jersey and have the name redone so it is a Osweiler Jersey… When Marshal was traded and Tebow drafted fans began doing that with their marshaljerseys somewhere in the metro area
Peace out.
FTR
Skillz that obviously a joke.
Sorry mean my prediction is obviously a joke.
man o man i so dumb me no get the sarcasm ugh
lol
np ab
I’ll tell ya what if that happens i will let you change your prediction
cause i am a nice guy lol
Skillz if that does happen I still wont change my prediction.
Looks like it’s mine and Skillz helped me out – again! LOL
Sheesh – where did you come from Alaskan?! were u being moderated?…have you been a bad boy? Go away I’m killing this BLOG!!! LOL
Nope I wasnt moderated. Ive just been posting not as much as I used to. Thanks for asking blog killer.
You and me both AB
test
I dated Otis’ daughter back in high school. He was one the most down to earth and nicest people I have met. He insisted I call him by his first name, showed me around his trophy room while telling a story for every item, and was ALWAYS willing to talk football (part of the reason his daughter and I broke up, lol). He was far more gracious a host than I expected from a legitimately successful player. Class act of a person, and a damn fine running back too.