McMurry University is pleased to announce that former football player Richard "Dick" Compton has been selected for induction into its Athletics Hall of Honor. Over the next few days, McM will be introducing all of the members of its HOH "Class of 2017".
 
Compton, a native of Colorado City, Texas had a standout, three-year career for McMurry from 1958-60, before signing a professional contract during what would have been his senior year. Coached by Grant Teaff, Compton was a halfback for the Maroon & White, gaining notoriety for his prowess as a kick return man, as well (with a career-best 90-yard return in 1960). 
 
Ironically, Compton drew the attention of a professional scout from the Detroit Lions at a game at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, who was there to evaluate a player from the UTC team. Although McM lost the game, Compton had a noteworthy game receiving and returning kicks – including catching a long touchdown pass which was the first points scored versus UTC that season by any team – and garnered the eye of the scout. Detroit would sign Compton the next year.
 
After his time at McMurry, Compton went on to a six-year career in the National Football League with the Detroit Lions (3 seasons/1962-64), Houston Oilers (1 season/1965) and Pittsburgh Steelers (2 seasons/1967-68) from 1962-68.  In his NFL career, Compton had 52 catches for 733 yards (14.1 yards per catch) with four touchdowns. He also averaged 24.6 yards per return on kickoffs in his pro career.
 
In 1967, .it proved to be a great year for the town of Colorado City. Compton was the offensive MVP of the Steelers and had his best season as a professional during that year with Pittsburgh (making 42 receptions for 507 yards). At the same time, another native of Colorado City – NFL Hall of Famer wide receiver Don Maynard – had his best year receiving and led the New York Jets to the upset win over Baltimore in Super Bowl III.
 
In 1963, his second season with the Detroit Lions, Compton was a member of the team made famous by the late author George Plimpton in his book "Paper Lion." The book chronicled Plimpton's efforts of an average man to go through training camp with an NFL team (and was later made into a movie starring Alan Alda).
 
Compton also still holds the second-longest pass completion in Houston Oilers (now Tennessee Titans) team history. In 1965 versus the Buffalo Bills in a game played at Rice Stadium (won by the Bills, 29-18), Compton caught a 95-yard strike from now NFL Hall of Famer George Blanda.
 
Compton joins Sam Nichols (former women's basketball head coach) and Brittany Cary (women's golf) as having already been announced for induction to the HOH as part of the "Class of 2017."
 
Induction ceremonies for the McM Athletics Hall of Honor will take place on Saturday, September 16, 2017. For questions and to receive ticket information for the event, please call (325) 793-4631.