Brian Leonard enters RU Athletics HOF tomorrow , story :

[Abro1975]

Not sure why this isn't being publicized much, but Brian Leonard , and a few others, enter the RU Athletics HOF . My favorite RU player of all time!

"Leonard will be inducted Saturday into the Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame along with cross country's Julie Culley, swimming's Kelly Harrigan, wrestling's Mike Leta, women's basketball's Cappie Pondexter and former men's soccer coach Bob Reasso."



So , about 5 years ago my neighbor drags me to the NJFBHOF football dinner at Mayfair Farms in West Orange. He knows I'm a football nut(he is also), but he had just found out Brian Leonard and his sidekick Kevin Malast would be on the Dais for the after dinner Q & A. So of course I ask a question ( I'm not shy. l0l).

I ask Brian if he preferred playing in the NFL or at the College level. He responded "If I could spend my entire football life playing at Rutgers, that's what I would do. Those were the best and most fun years of my life".

Afterwards Brian and Kevin Malast walked around the room a bit and talked to the people at the tables and I got to talk to them both 1 on 1. I asked Brian what he planned on doing once his playing days were over, he said he wasn't sure yet, but he thought about investing in some franchises. I got to talk to Kevin a bit about NJ HS wrestling, as I knew he was a terrific HS wrestler and actually saw both Kevin and Brian together at RU matches. They both still go. Anyway, both great guys, and for those that don't know , Kevin Malast's brother was a NJ State Trooper who got hit by a car while on duty and is now paralyzed and in a wheelchair. Kevin helps him a lot.

Story about Kevin Malast's brother Brian :

nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2016/06/ex-rutgers_lb_kevin_malast_leading_fundraiser_for.html

 

[Plum Street]

Good post.

 

[MGSA99]

Stay at halftime to give Brian Leonard our absolute best. Maybe he can lead the band with a sword as part of the ceremonies.

 

[Plum Street]

Stay at halftime to give Brian Leonard our absolute best. Maybe he can lead the band with a sword as part of the ceremonies.

Yeah , but some people on this board want to boycott the band.

 

[Peteyd]

Great post!!! All time favorite college football athlete. What a great RU man!!! Thank you BL!!!

 

[herdof3]

The fact that I first heard about this at 6:53 PM the day before the game is amazing. Maybe it was buried in an email that I deleted. I am so happy that I will be there tomorrow.

 

[MGSA99]

 

[MGSA99]

Yeah , but some people on this board want to boycott the band.

The whole boycott the band thing is ridiculous. People leave the stands for halftime anyway. Jersey never has been a hotbed for marching band culture. That belongs to the Midwest and Texas. I spent my freshman year of high school in Ohio, and being in the band was a big deal, almost as much as football. People in Ohio cared about it a lot. Jersey doesn't.

 

[njrexguy]

A true Loyal Son, also my favorite Scarlet Knight.

 

[shields]

Brian also had a Leonard Leap vs Illinois in 2005.

 

[RUtrumpet92]

Well deserved honor! BL will always be at the top of my list of favorite Knights!

 

[Rutgers25]

His quote about why he was coming back for his senior year gave me chills. Favorite RU player of all time.

 

[Leonard23]

My fav player. Nice job promoting this Rutgers.

 

[Rutgers25]

His quote about why he was coming back for his senior year gave me chills. Favorite RU player of all time.

By the way would love to see the exact quote again if somebody has it

 

[Abro1975]

His quote about why he was coming back for his senior year gave me chills. Favorite RU player of all time.

https://www1.gmnews.com/2006/01/19/rutgers-gives-state-something-to-talk-about/

“I sat down with my parents and we discussed this for long hours at a time. I felt throughout my college career that I proved that I can play at the next level,” Leonard said. “But there’s one thing I haven’t proved, and that’s taking Rutgers to a BCS [bowl] game and winning a championship.

“I see Rutgers as a powerhouse in the future, and I want to be a part of it. So, it was my heartfelt decision that I’ll be back for my senior year,” Leonard added.

 

[Rutgers25]

Thanks but that's not the one. The one I'm thinking of is the one about not coming from much, so the money can wait (more or less)

 

[jreinsdorf]

By far my favorite RU player ever

 

[Roy_Faulker]

Agreed - I still wear his jersey as, at least in my mind, there hasn't been one like him since...

 

[beaced]

Brian is in my trio of favorite players. He, Deron Cherry and Kevin Kurdyla. All sharing equally. I knew Deron and Kevin personally.I regret that I never got to know Brian.

 

[Mr. Gerbz]

Here is my BL story. About 7-8 years ago, I'm on a 2nd or 3rd date at some bar in Woodbridge area. (Can't remem name at moment) We saw some common people we knew and my date was talking to some friends....at the same time I spotted BL and I think A. Cali. I walked over and started up some Rutgers talk, I think he was a few years into NFL, so talking about that too...BL says, hey we going upstairs, welcome to hang with us, wanna join? Or something to that effect. Dilemma....go hang with BL and ditch the date or go back to my date who looked to be wrapping up her convo with friends???? Well I said....I'm actually here on a date, but thanks.....Married to the date and 3 kids later, made the right choice. Never seen BL again! Lol.

 

[robcac26]

As I went through the South End Zone entrance today, I got on the elevator because I brought my handicapped uncle. I wore my Leonard jersey today and I heard a guy on the elevator say to me, "I like your jersey." I said something like, "Yeah, I like the old ones." Then an older lady next to him says, "Brian Leonard...that's him." I look up and realize it is him, and felt like such an idiot that I didn't even think to ask for a picture or shake his hand or anything...woops.