Porcher admits that lining up across from the 6-7, 300-pound All Pro offensive lineman Joe Jacoby was a bit nerve wracking. “I went from gassers to eventually running 100-yard sprints,” Porcher said. Fill in the missing pieces in the comments below. Since retiring, Porcher has become actively involved in community and business interests throughout Michigan and his home state of South Carolina. Next week, Porcher will be inducted into the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame along with former South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier, former Citadel and Furman head coach Art Baker, former USC and NFL standout Willie Scott and former Clemson and NFL star Charlie Waters. Going into his senior season at S.C. State, Jeffries knew that Porcher had more to give. The Wando, South Carolina native is a graduate of Huger Cainhoy High School. His play as a Bulldog earned the 6’3” 275-pound defensive end a first-round draft (26th overall) pick in the 1992 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions. He didn’t talk about transferring. "I thought I was doing enough, but I realized I wasn’t.”. Porcher was taken by the Lions in the first round with the 26th overall pick. Robert Porcher (Wando, SC/South Carolina State ... SC State legendary head coach and South Carolina Football Hall of Fame Class of 2013 Inductee Willie Jeffries will … apmiller@postandcourier.com, Gamecocks' Jay Urich transfers Black Lives Matter fame into nonprofit, Sapakoff: The best political college football fix is April Madness, Carolina Panthers' new Rock Hill facility could make 'Two states, One team' a reality, Washington's NFL team drops 'Redskins' name after 87 years. The ceremonies will take place from Aug. 5-9, with the Cowboys and Steelers also scheduled to play in the annual Hall of Fame Game. High 66F. Porcher can still remember his first NFL sack against the Washington Redskins nearly three decades ago. When the call came from the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, Robert Porcher was already on the phone. He was far from satisfied with just making an NFL roster or being just another defensive lineman for the Lions. I wanted to be more than I was. Legendary former S.C. State head coach Willie Jeffries (a Class of 2013 inductee) will serve as the evening’s master of ceremonies. Before the season began, Jeffries and defensive line coach George Wheeler sat down with their pupil and implored him to work harder. He spent his entire 13-year career in Detroit accumulating a franchise history record 95.5 career sacks. After his retirement from the Lions, Porcher became actively involved in the community raising thousands of dollars for cancer research. ©2012 — 2020 SC Football Hall of Fame (501(c)(3) Organization) | Website by Some Web Studio, LLC. Porcher didn’t get mad. Provided/Detroit Lions, Detroit Lions defensive end Robert Porcher (91) will be inducted into the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame. In addition to being the only NFL first-round draftee at SC State, where he earned a criminal justice degree in 1992, Porcher was inducted into the Hall of Fame at his alma mater in 1998, had his jersey (#94) retired in 2001 and was named to the Bulldog Centennial Football Team in 2007. DeArdo says defensive end Robert Porcher (95.5 career sacks) also received consideration to be the Lions’ representative. “A lot of the players today would probably transfer if you talked to them like that, but Robert wasn’t like that at all,” Jeffries said. Robert Porcher – The first round draft pick of the Detroit Lions in … Andrew Miller is a reporter, covering growth and development in Berkeley County. Plenty good enough to land in the S.C. Football Hall of Fame. “I mean, the top scouts were coming, and by the end of the season, Robert had turned himself into a first-round pick,” Jeffries said. The next day, while the offense was working on their portion of the game plan and Porcher had a break, instead of taking a knee, and searching for water, he started to run his own. About Us Class of 2020 Members Coach Steve Spurrier, Charlie Waters, Robert Porcher, and Willie Scott talks about “It’s not about us” with our 2020 Bridge Builder Excellence Awards Finalists We honor the state of South Carolina’s football legends, and are a catalyst for youth, workforce, and community development. Reach Andrew Miller at 843-937-5599. The Black College Football Hall of Fame was founded in 2009 to honor the greatest players, coaches and contributors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. He was inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009, and in 2017, he was selected to the Black College Football Hall of Fame. Charleston, SC 29403, News tips/online questions: newstips@postandcourier.com, Delivery/subscription questions: subserve@postandcourier.com. “We laid down the law with Robert,” Jeffries said. Not bad for a guy who had just two college scholarships offers coming out of Cainhoy High School. Jeffries coached Porcher with the Bulldogs. One, however, was that he may have retired too soon. I would have liked to have gotten to 100 sacks. He didn’t pout. A member of the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame, McCabe’s award-winning career at the Free Press began in 1970. He became the first Detroit Lion player to record double-digit sack totals in four consecutive seasons from 1996-1999. ... Robert Porcher. Eight of those new members come via this year's induction class, ... Moore’s former teammate, defensive end Robert Porcher (95.5 career sacks) also received consideration. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Clear skies. “There was just something about coach Jeffries that made you want to play for him,” Porcher said. Porcher spent his senior season terrorizing opposing quarterbacks and offensive linemen. In three short seasons, Porcher had gone from an unknown first-round draft pick out of tiny South Carolina State University to a solid NFL contributor. The Berkeley Herbal Center in Pleasant Hill will be offering a class this summer on energetic hygiene to help people achieve more clarity in their lives. Porcher (1992-2003) had … Rodney Harrison, a sentimental favorite of mine, is a semifinalist for the first time. The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame has inducted ex-Detroit Lions defensive end Robert Porcher and former Michigan State running back Todd T. J. Duckett. “Anytime that I’m recognized for my contributions as a football player, it’s always an honor,” said Porcher, who lives in Charlotte and runs a trucking and logistics company. 935 S. Main St. Suite 203 Greenville, SC 29657. I was just mentally burned out. Nomination forms will be used for all qualified nominees. He was good enough to catch the eye of coaches at Tennessee State and S.C. State. The Detroit Lions organization honored Robert Porcher’s community contributions by naming their Annual Man of the Year award after him. Coach Spurrier is one of the all-time great coaches, a coach I really idolized, so to be in the same class as coach Spurrier is truly an honor.”. The … Robert Porcher's individual accomplishments are only one chapter in the story of his career. He spent the next 13 seasons in Detroit. Abundant sunshine. Porcher was a three-time Pro Bowl selection (1997, 1999 and 2001) and finished his NFL career with 95½ sacks, which still stands as a franchise record. “Robert is still the same person he was when he played for us,” Jeffries said. Porcher was a first-round NFL draft pick in 1992 and three-time All-Pro. “As soon as I committed myself, my career took off.”. Eight of those new members come via this year's induction class, with the other 20 members belonging to last year's centennial class. “I could have played two or three more years. In addition to being the only NFL first-round draftee at SC State, where he earned a criminal justice degree in 1992, Porcher was inducted into the Hall of Fame at his alma mater in 1998, had his jersey (#94) retired in 2001 and was named to the Bulldog Centennial Football Team in 2007. Former South Carolina State standout and NFL All-Pro defensive end Robert Porcher has been selected for induction into South Carolina Football Hall of Fame in the class of 2020. He went to Wando High School for 2½ years, but played just one season of junior varsity football for the Warriors. The Pro Football Hall of Fame will induct 28 new members this summer in Canton, Ohio. Nominations shall be reviewed by the Hall of Fame committee no later than April 1st of each year. Between 1996-2001, Porcher recorded 68 sacks, the second-highest total in the NFL during that span. “My cousin owns this joint called Lucky’s, and every Sunday they watch the NFL games on TV,” Porcher said. “When you’re playing, you don’t realize what kind of impact you are having, so I’m truly blessed to be recognized and to go in with such a great class. Spurrier retired as the winningest coach in both Florida and USC history. He was inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009, and in 2017, he was selected to the Black College Football Hall of Fame. He'll be inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame on Sept. 28. “I knew I could be better. Porcher signed with Tennessee State and played two years for the Tigers before transferring to Orangeburg to play for Willie Jeffries. He was speaking with his son, Robert IV, a … “Robert literally made one tackle from Florida A&M cry during a game because he couldn’t block him,” Jeffries remembers. The Detroit Lions organization honored Robert Porcher’s community contributions by naming their Annual Man of the Year award after him. I remember watching Barry running these sprints during one of the defensive periods when the offense is supposed to be on the sidelines resting and wondering why the best running back in the NFL was doing all this extra work. “That drove me the first few years of my career. the 2019 hall of fame dinner will take place on friday, october 11- social hour at 6:00 pm and dinner at 7:00. the dinner takes place at american legion hall at 215 waverly oaks road, waltham. “He hasn’t changed, and that’s a great quality to have.”. “I think everyone on the coaching staff knew he could play in the NFL.”. ", "Maybe Barry was the best running back because of the extra work he was putting in," he recalls thinking. The Black College Football Hall of Fame was founded in 2009 to honor the greatest players, coaches and contributors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The first thought that went through Porcher’s head was not that he’d made his first NFL sack, but the reaction from his friends back in Wando watching the game on TV. His play on the field earned him Pro-Bowl and All-Pro honors in 1997, 1999, and 2001. Next week, Porcher will be inducted into the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame along with former South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier, former Citadel and Furman head coach … Robert Porcher and Isiah "Butch" Robertson are among six members of the Black College Football Hall of Fame's class of 2017. “The reason I didn’t get more scholarship offers was because I only played varsity football that one year,” Porcher said. The Pro Football Hall of Fame will induct 28 new members this summer in Canton, Ohio. Greenville, S.C.: The South Carolina Football Hall of Fame (SCFHOF) announces the Class of 2020 and information on the annual enshrinement ceremony. I’ll pop that tape in and listen to John Madden say, ‘I like this rookie, he’s fast.’”. When I got over that hump, I wanted to be one of the team leaders, then I wanted to finish my career as the all-time sack leader for the Lions.”. By his fourth season in the NFL, Robert Porcher was already an established starter for the Detroit Lions. I’m sure he thought he was giving 100 percent, but he wasn’t.”. Porcher decided to give football another chance and played for Cainhoy during his senior season. ... Robert Brazile (Player - 2014) ... Robert Porcher (Player - 2017) At 6-3 and 275-pounds, Porcher’s quickness and athleticism made him a prototype defensive rush specialist. Porcher never forget where he came from. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. The Detroit Lions organization honored Robert Porcher’s community contributions by naming their Annual Man of the Year award after him. Over the next six seasons, Porcher was among the most feared pass rushers in the NFL, recording 68 sacks, including five seasons with double-digit sacks. NFL scouts began to take notice. “When you live in Charleston, you are either a Washington, Atlanta or Dallas fan,” Porcher said. ... former S.C. State and Wando defensive end Robert Porcher and Sumter native and … Robert Porcher was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. Post and Courier Robert Porcher, Class: Induction: 2017 Sport(s): Football - Porcher was a standout defensive end for the South Carolina State Bulldogs, after transferring from NORFOLK, Va. — Former South Carolina State defensive end Robert Porcher was named Thursday as one of five 2017 inductees to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame. Eight of those new members come via this year's induction class, with … The Detroit Lions organization honored Robert Porcher’s community contributions by naming their Annual Man of the Year award after him. First-time eligible players include Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson, and Calvin Johnson. The Detroit Lions annual Man of the Year award is named after Robert Porcher in honor of his contributions to the community. “Those were the only games on TV. I remember I couldn’t sleep the night before, and, running onto the field, all I could think about was, ‘God, if this is a dream, don’t ever wake me up.’”. “Physically, I was still able to play at a high level,” Porcher said. “We told him he was going about 80 percent of what he could be doing. It was during a practice that season in 1995 that Porcher noticed Barry Sanders all by himself on a parallel field running gassers, the least favorite conditioning drill for any football player. “Robert was a good player, but I felt like he wasn’t realizing his full potential,” Jeffries said. Willie Scott Cainhoy HS grad Robert Porcher basks in SC Football Hall of Fame glow, By David Cloninger “I was a starter, my job was pretty secure, but I wasn’t really pleased with my development,” Porcher said. Low 44F. “He was huge, and I knew, if he got his hands on me, there was no way I was getting to the quarterback. The class was enshrined Friday night. Will Robert Porcher ever receive a gold jacket from the Pro Football Hall of Fame? The Detroit Lions organization honored Robert Porcher’s community contributions by naming their Annual Man of the Year award after him. Steve Spurrier headlines new S.C. Football Hall of Fame class. Robertson was a linebacker who went on to become a first-round draft pick and NFL defensive rookie of the year in 1971. He wanted more. Not many players in the NFL have 100 career sacks, but I think my career turned out OK.”. Home - Inductees - Inductees 2020 - Robert Porcher. Winds light and variable. dcloninger@postandcourier.com, The Berkeley Independent - Moncks Corner, SC, By Andrew Miller Porcher, 50, spent most of his childhood in Mount Pleasant. Self nomination will not be accepted. Porcher was a late bloomer with the Bulldogs. That was back when you recorded games on VHS tapes. Follow him on Twitter @APMILLER_PandC. Before joining The Post and Courier in 1989, he graduated from South Carolina with a degree in journalism. Athletic Hall of Fame nominations may be made by UMass Boston Alumni, students, faculty, staff, trustees and members of the general public. The former Cainhoy High School star wanted Detroit fans to remember his name long after his career came to an end. “At first, I wanted to prove that I belonged in the NFL and that Lions didn’t make a mistake taking a kid from an historic black college in the first round,” Porcher said. Paul Sancya/AP, Former Detroit Lions defensive end Robert Porcher was taken with the 26th overall pick in the 1992 NFL Draft by the Lions. You have permission to edit this article. He started out at Tennessee State in 1988-1989 and then transferred to play for legendary South Carolina State Head Coach Willie Jeffries (SCFHOF13) in 1990-1991. The Pro Football Hall of Fame will induct 28 new members this summer in Canton, Ohio. He was inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009, and in 2017, he was selected to the Black College Football Hall of … Porcher has few regrets about his NFL career. By 1995, Sanders was a perennial all-pro running back on his way to a Hall of Fame career. Former Cainhoy High School and S.C. State standout Robert Porcher holds the Detroit Lions' career sack record with 95.5. 134 Columbus Street “All I could think about was everybody back at Lucky’s going crazy, high-fiving each other because Pat Summerall and John Madden had just said my name. The ceremony, which had been scheduled for July 23, has been moved to 2021 due to the coronavirus. Robert Porcher: Pos: DE-DT, Career: 187 G, 1 TD, 3xProBowl, Lions 1992-2003, born SC 1969 Robert Porcher, a former member of the Detroit Lions, made the Black College Football HOF. Late in the second quarter, Porcher finally was able to get around Jacoby and sack Washington quarterback Mark Rypien. Each season, he’d fly Jeffries and his wife up to Detroit for at least one game. ... Kevin Glover and Robert Porcher … The Hall of Fame has announced its 25 semifinalists for the Class of 2021. Washington was coming off a Super Bowl championship the season before, and the game was on national television at RFK Stadium. I knew I had to be faster than him.”. tickets are $40 - make checks payable to whs athletic hall of fame and mail to whs athletic hall of fame, 617 lexington street, waltham, ma 02452. “You just don’t realize how big he is until you get on the field against him,” Porcher said. He was inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009, and in 2017, he was selected to the Black College Football Hall of Fame. "I think if I'd played another year, maybe, I'd have gotten a better look.". Paul Sancya/AP. Former Detroit Lions defensive end Robert Porcher still holds two franchise records for sacks. His family moved to the city of Wando in Berkeley County during his junior year, and he transferred to Cainhoy High School, which barely had 200 students in the late 1980s. This was before the Carolina Panthers came along. 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