This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Provo • Thirty-three years after completing his eligibility as an All-American quarterback at BYU, Jim McMahon will be inducted into the BYU Athletic Hall of Fame and have his No. 9 jersey retired at a halftime ceremony during the BYU-Utah State game on Oct. 3.
BYU made the announcement on Thursday morning with the release of its 2014 induction class to be honored at the Marriott Center on Oct. 2. Other inductees include gymnast Kelly Parkinson Evanson, swimmer Dmitri Malinovski, track and cross country athlete Tara Rohatinsky Northcutt and soccer star Aleisha Rose Kramer.
But the big story is McMahon, who has had a love-hate relationship with BYU since being drafted in 1982 by the Chicago Bears. For instance, he wrote in his 1986 autobiography that "Happiness was Provo in the rearview mirror."
In later years, his stance softened considerably toward the conservative school that was an odd fit, to say the least, for his brash, partying lifestyle. He returned in 2010 and received the biggest applause of any former legendary BYU quarterback at a halftime ceremony that also included Virgil Carter, Gifford Nielsen, Marc Wilson, Steve Young, Robbie Bosco, Ty Detmer and Steve Sarkisian.
McMahon's induction is long overdue by any estimation, but BYU officials had been holding him to a longstanding requirement that inductees earn their degree before being admitted to the Hall. McMahon recently finished online coursework to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications at his home in Scottsdale, Ariz.
"I am very proud of Jim for finishing his degree," said legendary BYU coach LaVell Edwards. "He is a competitor and a finisher. … Jim was a great leader and had a complete understanding of the game. He is very deserving of the Hall of Fame and having his jersey retired."
A banner bearing McMahon's name and number will be unveiled during the USU game and permanently displayed on the press box at LaVell Edwards Stadium. BYU has retired only five other jerseys dating back to 1922 — Eldon Fortie's No. 40, Marion Probert's No. 81, Steve Young's No. 8 and the No. 14 worn by both Gifford Nielsen and Ty Detmer.
McMahon recently tweeted out his thanks to BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe for helping him complete the requirements to get his degree. Holmoe sent a BYU academics counselor to Arizona recently to stand as proctor for McMahon's final tests.
"I love the example Jim has set by completing his degree," Holmoe said. "I am proud of him for finishing after all these years. Jim is one of the elite college quarterbacks of all time."
McMahon spoke to reporters in June about his struggles with early onset dementia and depression. He believes the issues were brought on by the hits he took playing college and professional football.
"Completing his education at BYU is evidence of the type of person he is," Edwards said.
McMahon's BYU highlights
• Held 70 NCAA records when he finished his BYU career in 1981
• Won the inaugural Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award and the Sammy Baugh Trophy after his senior year, and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting.
• Completed 653 passes for 9,536 yards and 84 touchdowns, with a career passing efficiency of 156.9 from 1977-81.
• Part of five consecutive WAC championship teams (redshirting in 1979) and was a three-time All-WAC First Team quarterback in 1978, 1980 and 1981.
• Signature moment came in the 1980 Holiday Bowl when he led the Cougars to 21 points in the final two minutes, 33 seconds of the game to beat SMU, 46-45.