Chuck Ealey

Bio

The Portsmouth, OH native was the signal caller for the best run in Toledo football history, Chuck Ealey never lost a game in his three seasons as the Rockets' starting quarterback. He is the second Toledo Rocket inducted. Named a 1971 First Team All-American, Ealey went a remarkable 35-0 as Toledo's starting quarterback. The three-time MAC Back of the Year became the first player in conference history to receive votes for the Heisman Trophy, tallying 168 points for an eighth-place finish in 1971. Ealey led the Rockets to three consecutive conference titles and was a three-time First Team All-MAC selection. He guided Toledo to three-straight Tangerine Bowl victories, earning MVP honors in all three games. A 1971 team captain, Ealey finished his career as Toledo's all-time leader with 5,275 passing yards and 45 touchdown passes. He received the team's Jim Nicholson Award in 1970 and 1971 as the greatest contributor to the team’s success. Ealey is one of just four players to have his number retired by the Rockets and was voted No. 1 on Toledo’s All-Century Football Team. Ealey signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. Taking over as the starting quarterback in 1972, he won the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie Award and led the Tiger-Cats to a victory in the Grey Cup, where he earned MVP honors. Ealey played seven seasons in the CFL. He founded the Chuck Ealey Foundation, which annually awards academic scholarships to college and high school recipients of The Chuck Ealey Undefeated Spirit Award.

Career Highlights

• 1971 First Team All-America
• 1971 First Team All-MAC
• 1971 MAC Offensive Player of the Year
• 1970 First Team All-MAC
• 1970 MAC Offensive Player of the Year
• 1969 First Team All-MAC
• 1969 MAC Offensive Player of the Year