Longhorns Wire is continuing the series of jersey numbers to match the days until Texas kicks off the season. On Sunday, we find ourselves remembering No. 61. No current Longhorn wears that number.
Lewis P. “Bud” McFadin, Offensive Line (1948-50)
Bud McFadin joined the Texas Longhorns in 1948 after his high school career in Iraan, Texas. The 1948 season was the last year of Tom Landry’s collegiate career. The team finished 7-3-1 where they lost to Oklahoma and tied the Aggies. They defeated the number eight ranked Georgia Bulldogs in the Orange Bowl 41-28.
The very next year was a struggle for the Longhorns as they finished 6-4 and wouldn’t qualify for a bowl game. McFadin would earn All-Southwest Conference honors and consensus All-American selection. Texas again lost to Oklahoma but defeated the Aggies handedly.
In his final season wearing the burnt orange, McFadin would again earn All-SWC and consensus All-American honors. They finished a perfect 6-0 in the conference and 9-2 overall. The lost by one point to Oklahoma and lost 20-14 to Tennessee in the Cotton Bowl. However, McFadin would earn Co-Offensive MVP honors for his play in the bowl game. He would also earn MVP honors in the 1951 college all-star game.
McFadin was selected 11th overall in the 1951 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. He would also play for the Denver Broncos and Houston Oilers before retiring from the game of football. He would end up coaching as an assistant for the Oilers as well. He was selected to five Pro Bowls and was a three-time All-AFL player.
During his time in Austin, McFadin was also a boxing and wrestling champion. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983. Bud McFadin passed away in 2006 at the age of 77.
Accomplishments:
- Two-time All-Southwest Conference (1949-50)
- Two-time Consensus All-American (1949-50)
- Cotton Bowl Co-Offensive MVP
- 1951 College All-Star game MVP
- 1951 NFL Draft first round selection
- Two-time NFL Pro Bowl selection
- Three-time All-AFL selection
- Three-time All-AFL All Star
- 11-year NFL/AFL veteran
- 1983 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee
- 1973 Texas Hall of Honor Inductee