Illinois honoring Red Grange with special uniforms in matchup vs. Michigan

There are few names in college football history quite as legendary as Red Grange. Known by the nicknames of “The Galloping Ghost” and “The Wheaton Iceman”, the Illinois legend did things on a football field that were never seen before. On Wednesday evening, the Fighting Illini decided to unveil the uniforms that they’ll wear to honor Grange this fall on Oct. 19.

They’ll be wearing the uniforms this season against the Michigan Wolverines, the team that Grange dominated in October of 1924, catapulting him to superstardom across the nation.

Illinois spotlighted Red Grange in a special video with some of his highlights and images of the new uniforms the Fighting Illini designed for the special occasion.

A streak of fire, a breath of flame. Eluding all who reach and clutch, a gray ghost thrown into the game.

As a program that always remembers who came before us, we will honor Red Grange and his incredible impact on football during our Memorial Stadium Rededication Game on Oct.… pic.twitter.com/FjUSjZmJ3x

— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) August 8, 2024

Red Grange is one of the most legendary players of all-time

Red Grange and Illinois entered their 1924 matchup against the Michigan Wolverines with plenty of media attention surrounding the game. A sellout crowd of 67,000 people packed the stands to watch the game. And Grange did not disappoint, putting on a spectacular display for everyone in attendance. Keep in mind, the Michigan defense had only allowed four touchdowns total in their previous two seasons. The Wolverines strolled into this game with a 20-game unbeaten streak.

Grange took the opening kickoff back 95 yards for a touchdown. Then he tacked on a 67-yard touchdown, a 56-yard touchdown, and a 44-yard touchdown. He punched in four touchdowns in 12 minutes against one of the nation’s most historically dominant defenses.

He finished the game with 402 total yards of offense and six total touchdowns, rushing for 202 yards, passing for 64 yards, and racking up the final 126 yards on kick return. “The Galloping Ghost” also had two interceptions in that game as well, helping to guide the Fighting Illini to a blowout win over the Wolverines.

Grange earned his nickname, the Wheaton Iceman, from his hometown of Wheaton, Illinois, and the ice truck that he worked on as a teenager during the summers he spent at home from college. Grange actually gave that job a lot of credit in giving him enough core strength to play big-time college football at 5-11, 185-pounds.

Grange was spectacular on the football field. In 20 games of college football, he racked up 31 total touchdowns, scoring at least once in every game except for one. Sixteen of those scores came from more than 20 yards out, and nine of them were from more than 50 yards out. He only had six touchdowns that covered fewer than 20 yards.

For more on the history and career of one of the greatest players to ever play the game, check out this article from Mark Schipper of www.5thdowncfb.com.

Michigan and Illinois will face off on Saturday, October 19th. The game time has not yet been announced.