On Wednesday the SEC has announced half of it's legends class of 2012 that will be honored during the SEC Championship game on Dec. 1. The class has 14 members, and Tiger legend Johnny Roland will be the Missouri representative for the class. Below you can find the player's biography from the SEC release:
One of the top two-way players in Mizzou history, who began his career for Dan Devine as a running back, but switched as a junior to defensive back, where he won All-American honors as a senior in 1965 when he led the Tigers to an 8-2-1 record and a 20-18 win over Florida and Heisman Trophy winning QB Steve Spurrier, in the 1966 Sugar Bowl. He was a three-time All-Big Eight selection, once as a running back (1962), and twice as a defensive back (1964-65). He had six interceptions in 1965 when he won All-American honors, and he also returned punts and kickoffs and came in on offense in red zone situations quite often. As a sophomore in 1962, he was MU's leading rusher with 830 yards (7th in the NCAA that year), and scored 78 points (9th in the NCAA). His #23 jersey number was retired after his playing days, and he was a 1998 inductee in the NFF Hall of Fame. He went on to a stellar 8-year career in the NFL, where he won Rookie of the Year honors with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1966. Roland then coached for nearly 30 years in the league before his retirement.
Other members of the class of 2012 which were announced Wednesday include Steve Tannen (Florida), David Greene (Georgia), Sonny Collins (Kentucky), Ko Simpson (South Carolina), Peerless Price (Tennessee) and Hunter Hillenmeyer (Vanderbilt).
The SEC announced the second half of the class of 2012 on Thursday. It included Paul Crane (Alabama), Pat Summerall (Arkansas), James C. Owens (Auburn), Kevin Mawae (LSU), Glynn Griffing (Ole Miss), Walt Harris (Mississippi State) and John David Crow (Texas A&M).
For more on Mizzou football, visit Missouri blog Rock M Nation, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills, SB Nation Kansas City and SB Nation St. Louis.