TE Tim Stratton's resume: Tons of catches, wins and fun for all-time Purdue great

As far as mysteries go, the case of Tim Stratton’s missing helmet was a conundrum that causes chuckles to this day.

“People still ask me about it,” Stratton said.

No doubt, he will be queried about “helmet-gate” when he’s back this weekend to serve as honorary captain for Purdue’s 7:30 p.m. ET game vs. Syracuse on NBC. But that was just a small part of what was a decorated and colorful career from 1998-2001 that stamped Stratton as an all-time Purdue great.

Stratton left campus as the school’s all-time leader in catches (204) and is one of just four Boilermakers to be a three-time first-team All-Big Ten selection. He capped his career by becoming the inaugural winner of the Mackey Award, given to the nation’s top tight end.

Not bad for an afterthought late addition recruit from York Community High in Elmhurst, Ill., who was regarded almost as much for his volleyball skills as his football prowess.

“We had a good time during my run at Purdue,” said Stratton, a native of Oak Brook, Ill. “Played with some good players and made some good friends.”

Care-free would be an apt description of Stratton, who was famous for playing catch with fans in the stands after he got bored practicing long-snaps in pregame. It was that persona, coupled with lots of victories during what was one of the most glorious eras of Boilermaker football, that continues to endear Stratton to Purdue fans.

After redshirting in 1997, Stratton helped the program to four bowls from 1998-2001, catching pass after pass from Drew Brees. The highlight came with a Big Ten title and Rose Bowl berth in the 2000 season, which was the same year Stratton infamously lost his helmet following a pulsating home win vs. Michigan.

“After the game, I went to go sing the fight song with fans in the end zone,” said Stratton. “But, the team was gone. So, I decided to join the students and celebrate.”

There was no way No. 89 was not going to join in the Ross-Ade on-field party.

“It was fun,” he said.

Stratton handed his helmet to a classmate who gave him a boost to scale the goal post. Then, the throng carried Stratton to about midfield, where the crowd-surfing ended. That’s when he realized: Where’s my helmet?

“I told everyone around me: ‘I’ll give you $50 and a case of beer if you find my helmet,’ ” said Stratton.

To no avail. Stratton knew Joe Tiller was gonna be hot.

“The next day of practice didn’t go very well,” said Stratton. “I did get a backup helmet. But Coach Tiller asked me: ‘How did 100 guys get off the field with their helmet but you didn’t?’

“I told him I got rushed by the crowd, it was crazy, someone swiped it. And then he showed me a photo of me crowd-surfing while holding two flags. At that point, I knew I couldn’t lie my way out of it.”

Threat of suspension for the next week’s game at Northwestern loomed.

“I didn’t want to miss that game,” he said. “I was from Chicago. It was like a homecoming for me.”

Then, it happened. On Thursday night, the phone in Stratton’s apartment rang. Alex Tone, a teammate and roommate, answered.

“It was about 2:30 a.m.,” said Stratton. “We had caller ID saying the call was from a Purdue computer lab.

“The guy said, ‘Let Mr. Stratton know his helmet is where he left it, under the north end zone goal post.’ He called again at about 2:45, and also left a message at the football office.”

The mystery caller was true to his word: Stratton found his helmet under the goal post with a note: “Dear Mr. Stratton, I hope this helmet has brought you as much pleasure as it has brought me these past few days.”

The mystery caller sent a friend to Stratton’s apartment, where he was given a game ball as ransom.

“A moment that will live in infamy,” said Stratton. “I have been asked if I’m bringing my helmet this weekend.”

Stratton won’t have his helmet this weekend, but he’ll be in West Lafayette with family, wife Amanda and daughters Ava and Maeve. Stratton lives in Beverly, Ill.–southwest side neighborhood of Chicago–and works for Filter Services, Inc.

“I may stop at Harry’s if it isn’t too jammed,” he said. “I enjoyed my time at Purdue and the relationships and opportunities it provided me.”