Alvarez voted to College Football Hall of Fame

By Adam Silverstein
May 17, 2011

Former Florida Gators wide receiver Carlos Alvarez has been voted into the College Football Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation announced on Tuesday.

One of 79 All-American players and nine coaches made eligible for selection by the voting committee, Alvarez will be one of 16 inductees (14 players, two coaches) who will be officially enshrined in July 2012 after being honored at a dinner in Dec. 2011.

He played on the Gators for three seasons (1969-71) and still holds three school records for career receiving yards (2,563), receptions in a single season (88) and receptions in a game (15). Alvarez also set the then-University of Florida and Southeastern Conference career receptions mark with 172 catches in 1971.

“I’m hardly ever speechless, but I am,’’ he told UF senior writer Scott Carter. “When you look at college football and the number of people who have played…I feel honored just to be mentioned.’’

Alvarez is the third Florida player elected to the Hall of Fame since 2006.

He will the ninth overall representative of the Gators to be enshrined in the hall, joining coaches Charlie Bachman (1978), Doug Dickey (2003) and Ray Graves (1990), and players linebacker Wilber Marshall (2008), running back Emmitt Smith (2006), quarterback Steve Spurrier (1986) and defensive ends Dale Van Sickel (1975) and Jack Youngblood (1992).

“Carlos is a great example of all that is good in college athletics. His tireless work and commitment to excellence translated into success both on and off the field,” athletic director Jeremy Foley said in a school release. “He has maintained his level of commitment and success in his professional career as well. I’ve had the opportunity to see Carlos a number of times when he visits Gainesville and he remains a tremendous ambassador for our program. The honor is well deserved.”

Photo Credit: University of Florida archives

6 Comments

  1. scooterp says:

    Wow! congratulations, Carlos. Long over due.

  2. The big O says:

    As an American of Cuban decent, I am extra proud of fellow Cuban and fellow Gator Carlos Alvarez. Go Gators! Congratulations!

  3. Gatorbuc15 says:

    Congratulations Carlos! I’m happy for you man!

  4. vsherrel says:

    Am I the only one that thinks the Ring of Honor criteria are a bit much? I think being in the college football hall of fame is arguably more relevant than the NFL hall of fame. This should put him up there.

  5. vsherrel says:

    No, just Alverez and Van Sickel. They would be first team all-americans, and in the college football hall of fame. I wouldn’t include any coaches (3) solely for being in the hall of fame. If your count is 6, I must be missing somebody.

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