McPherson Named to 2018 ACC Football Legends Class

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Unanimous 1987 All-American Don McPherson has been selected as Syracuse University's representative in the 2018 ACC Football Legends Class, the Atlantic Coast Conference announced on Thursday, Sept. 27.

McPherson will join 13 other all-time greats as honorees during the ACC Night of Legends at the Charlotte Convention Center on Friday, Nov. 30. The class will also be recognized during the on-field, pregame festivities at the 14th annual Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game set for Saturday, Dec. 1 at Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium.

A native of West Hempstead, N.Y., McPherson played quarterback for the Orange from 1983-87. He ranks in the top five on 16 school passing record lists, and still holds the Orange single-season records for passing efficiency (164.3 in 1987), yards per attempt (10.2 in 1987), yards per completion (18.1 in 1987), and consecutive games with a touchdown pass (11 in 1987).

As a senior captain in 1987, McPherson guided Syracuse to an 11-0-1 record and a berth in the Sugar Bowl. He led the nation in passing (164.3 rating) that season and captured 18 player of the year awards, including the Maxwell Award (nation's top player), the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, and the inaugural Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (top senior quarterback). McPherson finished second to Notre Dame's Tim Brown in the 1987 Heisman Trophy balloting.

Following his college career, McPherson played three years in the NFL and four seasons in the Canadian Football League. He's spent the last 30 years using the power and appeal of sport to address complex social issues like bullying and violence against women.

A member of Syracuse's All-Century Team, McPherson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008. The following year, he was presented with the Arents Award, Syracuse University's highest alumni honor. In 2010, McPherson was named a Syracuse Letterwinner of Distinction, and the football program retired his No. 9 jersey in 2013.

McPherson is the fifth Syracuse ACC Football Legend, joining College and Pro Football Hall of Famers Floyd Little (2013), Art Monk (2014), 1992 consensus All-American Chris Gedney (2015), and Super Bowl-winning coach Tom Coughlin (2017).

2018 ACC Football Legends Class
Mathias Kiwanuka (2002-05), Boston College, Defensive End
Brian Dawkins (1992-95), Clemson, Free Safety
Steve Spurrier (1987-89), Duke, Head Coach
Bobby Bowden (1976-2009), Florida State, Head Coach
Joshua Nesbitt (2007-10), Georgia Tech, Quarterback
Roman Oben (1992-95), Louisville, Offensive Tackle
Ed Reed (1998-2001), Miami, Safety
Ron Rusnak (1970-72), North Carolina, Guard
Mario Williams (2003-05), NC State, Defensive End
Mark May (1977-80), Pittsburgh, Guard
Don McPherson (1983-87), Syracuse, Quarterback
Herman Moore (1987-90), Virginia, Wide Receiver
Eddie Royal (2004-07), Virginia Tech, Wide Receiver
Steve Justice (2004-07), Wake Forest, Center

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McPherson Named to 2018 ACC Football Legends Class

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