M Club Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1988
Bob Rush played center for the Tiger football team during one of the school’s greatest eras. A native of Clarksville, Tennessee, Rush played for former coaches Fred Pancoast and Richard Williamson and helped his Tiger teammates to a three year record of 21-12-0. After playing one year of freshman football, Rush took over the center duties for Pancoast’s 1974 squad. The Tigers would defeat such noted teams as Ole Miss, Florida State and Cincinnati en route to a 7-4-0 mark. Pancoast left Memphis in 1975 and Williamson became the new Tiger mentor. Rush, who also handled all of the deep-snapping duties, again anchored the offensive line. In 1975, Memphis shocked the nation by defeating number six ranked Auburn, 31-20, on the road. The Tigers would add wins over Louisville and Florida State on their way to another 7-4-0 campaign. As a senior, the three-time All-American helped Memphis win against Ole Miss, Auburn, and Florida State to again finish 7-4-0. Rush was taken by the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 1977 NFL draft and played six season with the Chargers before being traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in 1983. He remained with the Chiefs for three seasons before retiring in 1986.  Â
