Larry Wilson honored in hometown

Larry Wilson, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 1978, returned to his alma mater Rigby High School in Rigby, Idaho on Wednesday, Mar. 29, to be honored as a Hometown Hall of Famer™ by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Allstate Insurance Company.

L-R: Norm Jorgensen, Dick Broulim (both Wilson’s oldest friends and former teammates), Larry Wilson, Tom Roberts (Wilson’s high school football coach).

“To be part of a program that brings the prestige and tradition of the Pro Football Hall of Fame to cities like Rigby is an honor for Allstate, our agents and employees,” said Lisa Cochrane, Allstate’s senior vice president of marketing.

The former St. Louis Cardinals safety was recognized in the school’s gymnasium in front of 900 students, former teammates and friends. The event was emceed by Rigby High School principal Gary Comstock, who welcomed those in attendance to the historic plaque dedication ceremony. Two of Wilson’s high school friends and teammates, Dick Broulim and Chupe Brizzee, shared memories of growing up with Larry and presented him with the historic Hometown Hall of Famer™ plaque which will live permanently in the community to serve as an inspiration to students and athletes in the area.

Additional speakers during the ceremony included Allstate representative Scott Bowen, Norm Jorgensen, one of Wilson’s oldest friends and former teammate and Wilson’s high school football coach Tom Roberts who is 100 years old. It was a very special opportunity for all of them to share the moment and afternoon together.

“Being here today brings back such fond memories of growing up and playing football at Rigby High School,” said Wilson. “One of the main reasons that I am standing here and receiving this honor is because of the terrific coaching I received as a student-athlete here at Rigby, the same type of great coaching that still exists here today.”

Wilson spoke about his gratefulness to Allstate and the Hall of Fame for providing this opportunity to celebrate his home, his pride in Rigby, and his advice for students about the importance of embracing teamwork.

"Rigby High School now becomes an extension of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's mission to preserve, honor, and promote pro football across America,” said Brock Richards, Pro Football Hall of Fame Enterprises Program Director. “Today’s event showcased the great pride that Rigby has for its community and embodied what the ‘Hometown Hall of Famer™’ program is all about."

Wilson’s NFL career began in 1960 when he was drafted in the seventh round by the Cardinals. Throughout his 13-year professional career Wilson made the “safety blitz” famous and became known as one the NFL’s best free safeties. He also possessed great ball skills once intercepting a pass in seven straight games in 1966. Wilson finished his career with 52 interceptions, returned for 800 yards and five touchdowns. He was named first- or second-team all-league seven times during his career and played in eight Pro Bowls.

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