Joe Dudek

Who is Joe Dudek?

Joseph Anthony Dudek is a former American football player.

Dudek received national attention when he was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated's 2 December 1985 issue as the magazine's pick for the Heisman Trophy after he broke Walter Payton's NCAA record for career touchdowns. Dudek finished ninth in the voting, the best result ever for a non-Division I player.

Dudek finished his collegiate career with ten school records, and holds the NCAA record for career 100-yard rushing games, and games with two or more touchdowns. Plymouth State went 37-6 during his time there, reaching the Eastern College Athletic Conference playoffs twice and earning their first-ever NCAA playoff appearance. To this date, Dudek's jersey is the only one that Plymouth State has retired.

Dudek played two games for the Denver Broncos in 1987, rushing for 154 yards and two touchdowns.

Dudek was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997. As of December 2009, he lives in Auburn, New Hampshire with his wife and their two children, and works for Southern Wine & Spirits.