Jim Ritcher

Bio

Jim Ritcher played at North Carolina State and brought new recognition to the center position in football. The Outland Trophy, named for the nation's best interior lineman, had been in existence 33 years and had never been won by a center. Ritcher won the award in 1979. Ritcher was a two-time first-team All-America and two-time winner of the Jacobs Trophy as the best blocker at his position in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He graduated with a degree in sociology. North Carolina State named him the school's outstanding scholar-athlete and retired his jersey, number 51. Ritcher stood 6-3, weighed 245, and was extremely mobile. His coach, Bo Rein, said, "He was strong and quick. His talent enabled us to outline certain plays we wouldn't have considered with normal players. He would be a star at any position except quarterback or wide receiver." In 1978, after the Syracuse game, the Associated Press named him Lineman of the Week. He played 16 years in the National Football League with Buffalo and Atlanta then settled in Raleigh, North Carolina, working as a flight instructor and commercial pilot.

Career Highlights

• 1979 All-Conference
• 1979 Outland Trophy Winner
• 1979 Unanimous All-America
• 1978 All-Conference
• 1978 Consensus All-America