Conerly Inducted Into N.Y. Giants Ring Of Honor

Oct. 5, 2010

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- The late Charlie Conerly, one of the greats in Ole Miss football history, was among 30 legends from New York Giants history to be inducted into the team's new "Ring of Honor" last Sunday night at the new $1.7 billion Meadowlands Stadium.

The ceremony took place at halftime of the Giants' game with the Chicago Bears as former Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning led New York to a 17-3 victory. Representing Conerly was his widow, Perian Conerly of Clarksdale, Miss.

Joining Conerly in the Giants "Ring of Honor" were Tim Mara, Wellington Mara, Jack Mara, Bob Tisch, George Young, Steve Owen, Jim Lee Howell, Bill Parcells, Mel Hein, Ken Strong, Tuffy Leemans, Emlen Tunnell, Frank Gifford, Rosie Brown, Sam Huff, Andy Robustelli, Y.A. Tittle, Harry Carson, Lawrence Taylor, Al Bozis, Dick Lynch, Joe Morrison, Pete Gogolak, George Martin, Phil Simms, Michael Strahan, Jessie Armstead, Amani Toomer and Tiki Barber.

The names will be displayed in the end zones of the stadium at every Giants home game. When the New York Jets play games at home, they have their own version of the ring on display.

"The Ring of Honor and a Hall of Fame are elements that have been discussed for quite some time," co-owner John Mara said. "For many years fans have asked us why we had neither, and our response always was that we would when either Giants Stadium undergoes a refurbishing or we have a new stadium. So it was important that we have one or the other in our new building, and it has worked out that we now have both a Ring of Honor and a Legacy Club to recognize the great players and coaches and others who have made our organization what it is."

"The Ring of Honor and the Legacy Club are great reminders for all of us of the responsibility we have in upholding the tradition of those who came before us," added co-owner Steve Tisch. "It is with tremendous gratitude that we recognize the 30 individuals who are being inducted for their contributions to our organization."

Born Sept. 21, 1921, in Clarksdale, Miss., Conerly was an all-around athlete in high school and received a scholarship to play football at the University of Mississippi in 1941. While at Ole Miss, he also excelled in baseball, hitting .458 to lead the 1948 Rebels and had a .399 career batting average.

Following his service in the United States Marine Crops during World War II, Conerly resumed his college football career at Ole Miss. He earned All-Southeastern Conference honors in 1946 when he completed 65 of 124 passes for 609 yards and averaged 42.8 yards on 56 punts.

During the 1947 season, Conerly set national collegiate records in passing yards, pass completions, and consecutive passes without an interception. Running for nine touchdowns and passing for 18, Conerly led the Rebels to their fist ever SEC title as he earned consensus All-America honors as well as SEC Player of the Year and SEC Back of the Year, while placing fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting. Coached by John Vaught, the 9-2 Rebels capped their season by defeating TCU in the Jan. 1, 1948 Delta Bowl in Memphis, Tenn.

In 1948, Conerly signed with the New York Giants and was an immediate starter. That season, Conerly placed second in the league in all major categories including passing yards, touchdowns, and rating. Despite the Giants 4-8 record, Conerly received the National Football League Rookie of the Year Award.

By 1950, Conerly led the Giants to the playoffs by capturing first place in the NFL American Division and earned his first of two Pro Bowl honors. After the 1953 season, the Giants record worsened and led to a coaching change. Conerly decided to retire from the game and return to Mississippi. The Giants hired Jim Lee Howell as their new head coach, who quickly hired Vince Lombardi as offensive coordinator. Howell paid Conerly a visit at his home and convinced him to return to the Giants for the 1954 season.

After converting Tom Landry from player to defensive coordinator and the emergence of Frank Gifford at halfback, the Giants had all the right pieces in place. Conerly led the 1956 Giants to their first NFL Championship since 1938 with a 47-7 route of the Chicago Bears. Conerly earned his second Pro Bowl honor and was named The Sporting News first-team All-NFL.

The Giants returned to the championship game in 1958, losing to the Baltimore Colts in what was to become "The Greatest Game Ever Played." The nationally televised game featured 12 future NFL Hall of Famers and marked the first time a championship game would enter into sudden death overtime.

During the 1959 season, the 38-year-old Conerly led the NFL in passing and was named the league's Most Valuable Player. The Giants were back in a rematch at the championship game against the Colts, but once again fell to Johnny Unitas and company.

In his final NFL season in 1961, the 40-year-old Conerly broke several Giants records in passing yards, touchdowns, games played, and attempts. The only player to surpass Conerly was Phil Simms during the 1980's and 1990's. New York retired Conerly's number 42 jersey in 1962 and he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1965, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1966, the Ole Miss Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987 and the United States Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.

In February 1996, Conerly passed away at the age of 74. Shortly after his passing, The Cellular South Conerly Trophy was created in his name and is presented annually to the top college football player in the state of Mississippi. Ole Miss recipients of the award include Stewart Patridge (1997), Deuce McAllister (1999), Eli Manning (2001 & 2003) and Patrick Willis (2006).

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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