2015 MSU Athletics Hall of Fame Class: Andre Rison
9/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | General
Michigan State will induct six new members into its Athletics Hall of Fame on Thursday, Sept. 17. In the sixth of a six-part series this week on msuspartans.com, former Spartan All-America wide receiver Andre Rison is featured.
A four-year letterman for Coach George Perles from 1985-88, Andre Rison closed out his career as Michigan State's all-time leader in receptions (146), receiving yards (2,992) and 100-yard receiving games (11). A two-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection (1986, 1988), Rison led team in receptions for three-straight seasons.
"I was fortunate to have a connection with the Michigan State football, track and basketball programs," Rison said. "I have so much respect for the program now ... Coach (Mark) Dantonio, Tom Izzo, Mark Hollis and Alan Haller. I was simply overwhelmed (when informed of his Hall of Fame selection), thinking about the prestige MSU holds in the NCAA and around the country. Mark Hollis called me the same day he got the NCAA job (named chair of NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee for 2016-17) and I thought about the magnitude of my selection into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame. It was heavy to think about what my selection meant.
"My mom was a bundle of joy when I shared the news with her. She understood what it meant to be a student-athlete at this level. She saw more than the wins and losses; she saw the obstacles and she knew what went on behind closed doors.
"I was fortunate to play with some great players and great teammates. When I received the news from Mark Hollis, I immediately thought about guys like Percy Snow and Harlon Barnett. You can't erase those memories. We're Spartan brothers for life. In that locker room, there were no barriers because you didn't see race, color or religion. Seriously, I enjoyed my teammates and I played for the greatest coaches.
"George Perles had his hands full because I was a mischievous guy, who played three sports in college," Rison continued. "My favorite (football) game-day tradition was stealing a napkin from the Kellogg Center for every home game and wearing it in my uniform pants as a fashion statement."
The Flint, Michigan, native made his presence known as a true freshman in 1985 by ranking third on the team in receptions with 19 for 280 yards (14.7 avg.) and two touchdowns.
As a sophomore in 1986, Rison connected with quarterback Dave Yarema to establish career highs in receptions (54) and receiving yards (966). He finished second in the Big Ten in both receptions and receiving yards. His 966 receiving yards ranked sixth in the nation. His five TD catches also tied for the team lead. He produced four 100-yard receiving games: against Western Michigan (5 catches for 155 yards), Indiana (career-best 11 for 196), Northwestern (6 for 114) and Wisconsin (9 for 108).
As a junior in 1987, Rison had 34 catches for 785 yards (23.1 avg.) and five TDs while helping the Spartans to the Big Ten Championship, a 9-2-1 record and No. 8 national ranking in the final polls (Associated Press, United Press International and USA TODAY). His 23.1 yards per catch led the Big Ten and ranked second nationally. He accounted for 83 percent of MSU's TD catches (5 of 6), 66 percent of its receiving yards (785 of 1,194) and 47 percent of its receptions (34 of 72). Rison posted three 100-yard receiving games: against Notre Dame (5 for 137), Purdue (5 for 122) and Wisconsin (6 for season-high 162). He had two receptions for 91 yards in MSU's 20-17 victory over No. 16 USC in the 1988 Rose Bowl. His 55-yard grab from Bobby McAllister in the second quarter set up Lorenzo White's second rushing TD of the game as the Spartans built a 14-3 halftime lead. On a third-and-8 play in the fourth quarter, he again hooked up with McAllister -- this time for a 36-yard gain -- to help set up John Langeloh's game-winning 36-yard field goal.
"Coach Perles was committed to changing the program," Rison said. "MSU hadn't been to the Rose Bowl in more than 20 years, and Coach Perles came up with a game plan to take us there. George and the assistants did a great job of building a foundation and developing a winning culture.
"George and his staff set us up for success, not only on the field but in life. They taught us how to face adversity and manage the highs and lows. They really encouraged us to be the best that we could be in all aspects of life. They really prepared us for life. I truly appreciate what George and his wife Sally taught me about marriage and family."
As a 5-foot-11, 195-pound senior in 1988, Rison was named First-Team All-American by Gannett News Service after ranking second on the team with 1,045 all-purpose yards, averaging 21.8 yards on 48 touches. He caught 39 passes for 961 yards (24.6 avg.) and a career-best eight TDs. Rison led the Big Ten in receptions, TD catches and yards per catch. His 24.6 yards per catch ranked second in the nation. Rison accounted for 89 percent of MSU's TD catches (8 of 9), 64 percent of its receiving yards (961 of 1,500) and 45 percent of its receptions (39 of 87). He also matched his career best with four 100-yard receiving games, including three during the regular season (4 for 107 vs. Iowa; 4 for 107 vs. Illinois and 4 for 128 vs. Wisconsin). In his final game in a Spartan uniform, he had nine receptions for a career-high 252 yards and career-best three TDs in a 34-27 loss to Georgia in the 1989 Gator Bowl. Rison, who scored on TD grabs of 4, 55 and 50 yards from McAllister, was selected MSU's Gator Bowl MVP.
Rison still ranks among MSU's career leaders in receiving yards (second), 100-yard receiving games (second), yards per catch (third with 20.49 avg.), receptions (fourth) and TD receptions (tied for fourth with 20).
"I formed friendships that will last a lifetime," Rison said. "(Former teammate) John Miller recently called me to voice his disappointment about me being ranked No. 6 among MSU's Top 50 all-time football players (list compiled by the Lansing State Journal); he thought I should have been ranked No. 1. I laughed and said I couldn't be ranked No. 1 because I didn't touch the ball enough.
"Throughout my career, I came up with subtle ways to deliver the message that I didn't get the ball enough. To get some attention, I once wore a neck brace to practice. Other times, I'd change my facemask ... anything to get noticed."
He participated in three postseason all-star games in 1989: Senior Bowl, Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine Game.
Rison was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round (No. 22 overall) of the 1989 NFL Draft and became a five-time Pro Bowl selection (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1997). In 1990, he was named First-Team All-Pro by AP, Pro Football Writers, Newspaper Enterprise Association, Pro Football Weekly and The Sporting News after recording 82 catches for 1,208 yards (14.7 avg.) and 10 TDs. Rison had 743 career receptions for 10,205 yards (13.7 avg.) and 84 TDs in 12 pro seasons (Indianapolis, 1989; Atlanta, 1990-94; Cleveland, 1995; Jacksonville, 1996; Green Bay, 1996; Kansas City, 1997-99; Oakland, 2000). He started 156 of 186 career NFL games.
"I'm so grateful," Rison said. "God has a plan for everybody. Things don't happen on our timeline; things come when God wants it to happen. I appreciate the journey he has mapped out for me."
A multi-sport athlete at Michigan State, Rison also lettered in track (1986) and basketball (1988). He finished second in long jump (24 1/2 feet) in the 1986 Big Ten Indoor Track Championships.