John “Jumbo” Elliott’s larger than life football resume continues to grow. The Sachem legend and former NFL lineman was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame on Tuesday evening.
The induction was held in Vegas, but Elliott did not attend due to health issues. He was originally a selection for the Class of 2020, but it was delayed due to the pandemic.
Elliott, who graduated from Sachem in 1983, was a star at the University of Michigan, where he was a force on the offensive line.
“All started at Sachem North,” said Elliott. “Coach Fusaro and his staff were instrumental for my career. Thank you.”
The Jumbo File
- A two-time First Team All-American, Elliott garnered consensus honors during his senior campaign.
- A finalist for both the Outland Trophy and the Rotary Lombardi Award in 1987, he finished his career with a then-school record 44 career starts on the offensive line, a mark that currently ranks sixth.
- A two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection, Elliott guided Michigan to a share of the 1986 conference title and two top 10 finishes (No. 2 in 1985 and No. 8 in 1986).
- A member of the 1987 All-Bowl Team, he led the Wolverines to four postseason games, including wins in the 1986 Fiesta Bowl and 1988 Hall of Fame Bowl.
- The anchor of College Football Hall of Fame coach Bo Schembechler’s potent offense, Elliott was key to the team’s 5,396 yards of total offense and 286 first downs in 1986, which were both single-season Michigan records at the time.
- The 1987 recipient of Michigan’s Hugh H. Rader Jr. Memorial Award as the team’s best lineman, Elliott helped the Wolverines rush for more than 2,500 yards in each of his last three seasons in Ann Arbor.
- A 2015 inductee into the University of Michigan Hall of Honor, he capped his collegiate career by playing in the Hula Bowl, Japan Bowl and East-West Shrine Game.
- Taken in the second round of the 1988 NFL Draft by the New York Giants, Elliott played 14 seasons in the NFL with the Giants (1988-95) and New York Jets (1996-2000, 2002).
- A member of the Giants 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, he guided the team to a Super Bowl XXV victory following the 1990 season, and he was elected to the Pro Bowl in 1993.
Elliott is also an inductee of the Sachem Athletic Hall of Fame and Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame.