Former ACU running back Wilbert Montgomery was elected to the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame last month and will be inducted this November.
The former Wildcat advanced to a nine-year career in the NFL, playing eight seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and one year with the New York Giants in 1985.
Montgomery’s record-breaking career at ACU included setting the NAIA career touchdown record at 76, and the most touchdowns in a single season at 31.
Montgomery’s first season with the Wildcats, under Coach Wally Bullington, ended with ACU’s first national title in 1973.
“It’s very unusual for a player at any level to score that many touchdowns in one season,” Bullington said. “With so many schools playing across the nation it’s a real tribute to him as an athlete.”
Garner Roberts, former sports information director, said he remembers Montgomery fondly.
“To receive the awards he did and have the success he did, really validates his athleticism,” said Roberts. “They are tangible ways of proving how good he truly was as an athlete.”
In his professional career, Montgomery amassed 6,789 rushing yards and scored 45 touchdowns. He still holds the Eagles’ record for most rushing yards with 6,538 and carries with 1,465.
Bullington said he had little to do with Montgomery’s success.
“The secret is to have good players. Good players make good coaches,” Bullington said.
After his playing career, Montgomery became a coach. After two years for Detroit and nine seasons at St. Louis, where he assisted two Super Bowl appearances and one win in Super Bowl XXXIV,  Montgomery now resides in Baltimore as the running backs coach for the Ravens.
Montgomery will add this award to a trophy shelf that includes ACU Sports Hall of Fame, the Lone Star Conference Hall of Honor, the Philadelphia Eagles’ Honor Roll and the College Football Hall of Fame.
“Montgomery is in the ACU Hall of Fame, College Football Hall of Fame, Lone Star Conference Hall of Fame and now his induction to the Philadelphia Hall of Fame- I think one of these years he’ll be in the NFL Hall of Fame.” Bullington said.
