Honors & Awards
- Nebraska All-American (1930)
- All-Big Six (1930, 1931)
- Nebraska Football Hall of Fame Inductee (1986)
Hugh Rhea was part of a growing Nebraska tradition as a dominant tackle in the early 1930s. Following in the footsteps of Nebraska's first All-American - tackle Vic Halligan in 1914 - Rhea also added to NU's All-America tackle lineage that included Ed Weir (1924, 1925), Lonnie Stiner (1926) and Ray Richards (1929). Rhea became the fifth Cornhusker tackle in 16 years to earn All-America honors.
Before Rhea became Nebraska's seventh All-American as a junior in 1930, he earned his first varsity letter playing for College Football Hall of Fame Coach Dana X. Bible in his first season at NU in 1929. Rhea helped Bible and the Huskers to a 4-1-3 record that included a 3-0-2 Big Six Conference mark and a share of the league title.
Rhea helped Bible's second Husker team to a 4-3-2 record while earning first-team All-Big Six and All-America honors. As a senior in 1931, Rhea teamed with future All-America guard Lawrence Ely to give the Huskers a powerful combination up front. NU's line play powered the Huskers to an 8-2 overall record and a Big Six Conference championship with a 5-0 league mark in 1931.
Following his NU career, the Arlington, Neb., native signed a professional contract to play with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1933. He also spent the 1936 season with the Brooklyn Tigers.
Rhea was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 1986.