Tuesday, July 20, 2010

The Countdown 2010: 46 Days to Go

46: Ray Rissmiller, Offensive Tackle #70 (1961 – 1964)

Pennsylvania native Ray Rissmiller lived up to the nickname of “Big Ray” when he became at starter during his sophomore season in 1962. Weighing in at over 245 pounds, Rissmiller and fellow big guy “Big Jim” Wilson, formed a large wall for the Georgia offense. While they were both imposing forces on the offensive line in 1962 and 1963 but the arrival of Vince Dooley in 1964 would turn these two into one of the best 1-2 line punches in Georgia history.

Coach Dooley hired his brother, Bill, to become the offensive line coach and together they worked Rissmiller into one of the best linemen in the country. By the start of his senior season, Rissmiller’s weight dropped to 225 and he became a key member of the first edition of Dooley’s Dawgs. Following the season, Ray was named first team All-American and won the Jenkins Award, given annually to Georgia’s best lineman. He was by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 1965 NFL draft and played three seasons for the Eagles, Bills, and the Saints. Ray’s son Scott continued to family tradition, suiting up for the Dawgs under Coach Goff in the late 80’s and early 90’s.

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