Russell Gary Season 1980

Honors & Awards

• 2nd Round NFL Draft Pick, 1981 (New Orleans Saints, 29th Overall)
• Nebraska Football Hall of Fame (2013)
• 1983 All-NFC Selection (UPI, New Orleans Saints)
• 1980 All-Big Eight (UPI, AP, Omaha World-Herald)
• 1980 HonorableMention All-American (AP)
• 1980 Nebraska Defensive Player-of-the-Week (Week 2 vs. Iowa) 
• 1980 Nebraska Lifter-of-the-Year

1980 (Senior)
Gary was a three year letterman for the huskers, He was Nebraska’s no. 1 safety for three seasons, 1978-80. As a senior, he had 62 tackles, including 46 unassisted, one pass interception and another broken up. Gary was named Honorable Mention All American and first team All-Big eight. 

Gary had a solid outing in the Sun Bowl against Mississippi State where he had nine tackles, eight of which were unassisted, helping the Huskers to a 31-17 win and a 10-2 record overall.

1979 (Junior)
As a junior, he had 50 tackles, including 26 unassisted, one stop behind the line for two yards, one pass interception and two passes broken up. Russell had some of his best games against Missouri and Oklahoma, against Missouri he had 11 tackles, with six unassisted, a two yard stop behind the line, one pass intercepted and one pass broken up. Against the Sooners, he had 10 stops, including seven unassisted. 

Gary had a standout game in the Cotton Bowl against Houston, where he had five tackles and an interception. Russell helped Nebraska to a 10-2 finish in 1979.

1978 (Sophomore)
Russell was a starter as a sophomore, until a knee injury forced hom to miss the Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri game. In 1978, he had 26 tackles, one interception and eight passes broken up. 

1977 (Freshman)
Russell starred with the 1977 freshman team, playing I-Back. 

Central High School (Minneapolis, Minn.)
Gary earned All-City honors as a running back at Central High School under Coach Rich Robinon. He also lettered in basketball. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Prentice Gary. 

Personal
Gary was a second round draft pick by the Saints in 1981, he appeared in 62 games for the Black and Gold from 1981-86, recording seven interceptions and three forced fumbles. Gary was an All-NFC selection by the UPI in 1984 when he posted three interceptions returned for 70 yards. He finished with 189 tackles, ten pass break ups and a fumble recovery over his three years in New Orleans. 

Russell finished his career with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1986-87. After retirement he served as a defensive backs coach at Concordia University, St. Paul.