McMahon to have jersey retired, inducted into BYU Hall of Fame


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PROVO — Brigham Young University announced on Thursday that the school will honor former consensus All-American quarterback Jim McMahon by retiring his No. 9 jersey, and will induct the former Cougar into the BYU Athletic Hall of Fame.

The jersey retirement ceremony will take place at halftime of BYU’s home football game against Utah State on Fri. Oct. 3.

A banner with McMahon’s name and number will be permanently placed on the press box at LaVell Edwards Stadium. McMahon will be just the sixth football player to have his jersey retired, joining Eldon Fortie, Marion Probert, Steve Young, Gifford Nielsen and Ty Detmer.

In the official press release, Athletic Director Tom Holmoe congratulated McMahon for completing his college degree, a requirement at BYU for induction into the school’s athletic hall of fame and to have a jersey retired.


Jim is one of the elite college quarterbacks of all time. He loved the game of football and always played the game like he was having fun. He was a great leader and a great teammate. I know there are a lot of people all over the country who are excited for Jim to be formally recognized as one of the Cougar greats.

–Tom Holmoe


“I love the example Jim has set by completing his degree. I’m proud of him for finishing after all these years,” said Holmoe. “Jim is one of the elite college quarterbacks of all time. He loved the game of football and always played the game like he was having fun. He was a great leader and a great teammate. I know there are a lot of people all over the country who are excited for Jim to be formally recognized as one of the Cougar greats.”

McMahon played at BYU from 1977-1981, and finished his Cougar career with 653 passes for 9,536 yards and 84 touchdowns, with a career passing efficiency of 156.9. McMahon also set 70 NCAA records while in Provo.

“Jim was a great leader and had a complete understanding of the game of football,” legendary BYU coach LaVell Edwards said. “He is very deserving of the hall of fame and having his jersey retired.”

After leaving Provo to enter the NFL Draft in 1982, McMahon spent 16 years in the pros, highlighted by winning the 1986 Super Bowl as the starting quarterback of the Chicago Bears. McMahon would win his second super bowl ring in 1997 as a backup quarterback for the Green Bay Packers.

McMahon was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1998.

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