The Husker Legacy statue was created by Malcom, Neb., artist Fred Hoppe in 1997. The statue, weighing about two tons and encased in bronze, serves as a tribute to the tradition of Nebraska football.

Depicting six Husker defensive players tackling a player from Kansas State, the statue was modeled after a photograph taken by Richard Voges, a photographer for the Athletic Department, during the Nebraska-Kansas State game at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 22, 1995.

"It represents the whole attitude of Nebraska football," Hoppe said."It emphasizes the teamwork and dedication that Nebraska football symbolizes.

The Husker Legacy statue was originally placed on the East side of Memorial Stadium near the loop off Vine Street that leads to the Stadium. It stood in place from 1997 until the spring of 2011 when it was moved to the Northwest corner of Memorial Stadium in order to accommodate East Stadium expansion.

From 2011 to 2014, the Husker Legacy statue stood just steps away from another Fred Hoppe piece depicting the legendary element of Nebraska football, a statue of Coach Tom Osborne and quarterback Brook Berringer near the entrance of the Osborne Complex.

In 2014, once the East Stadium expansion was complete, the Husker Legacy statue was moved back to the East side of Memorial Stadium.