Former Minnesota Vikings and University of Missouri fullback Earl Denny, a graduate of Golden City High School, will be inducted into the Missouri Hall of Fame Sunday in Springfield, as part of a group that includes former Cardinals first baseman Keith Hernandez and Denver Broncos wide receiver and former Missouri Southern State University standout Rod Smith:
Earl starred in football and track in high school at Golden City, Mo., northeast of Joplin, and actually took a recruiting visit to Arkansas before casting his lot with coach Dan Devine at Missouri.
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"I remember meeting coach (Frank) Broyles, but the team was playing Baylor that weekend and they spent Friday night in Eureka Springs, so I didn't get to meet many of the players," Denny said.
Baylor beat Arkansas 28-14 in that 1961 game, with its pro-style passing attack.
"I remember that when Baylor's receivers ran their routes, the ball would be waiting for them," Denny said. "I also remember that the Hog call amazed me. And after the game, these little kids tore the tear-away jersey off (Hogs quarterback) Billy Moore."
Arkansas assistant Mervyn Johnson had recruited Denny for Missouri when Johnson still worked for Devine, but later tried to recruit Denny to Arkansas after Johnson joined Broyles' staff. Johnson had been a captain at Missouri when Broyles coached there in 1957.
"Arkansas was closer to Golden City, but Missouri rolled out the red carpet for me," Denny said.
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