By Will Vandervort.
Former Clemson standout Donnell Woolford has been named an ACC Legend by the conference and will represent the Tigers at the 2014 Class of Legends as part of its 10th Annual Dr. Pepper Football Championship Game, which will be played in Charlotte, N.C. on Dec. 6.
Woolford (1985-88) was a two-time All-America at Clemson who earned second team honors in 1987 and consensus All-America honors in 1988. The former cornerback also helped lead Clemson, coached by then head coach Danny Ford, to a 28-6-2 record in his final three seasons, including national Top Ten rankings in 1987 (10th, UPI) and in 1988 (8th, UPI; 9th AP).
A two-time first-team All-ACC selection, he helped Clemson to ACC Championships in each of his final three varsity seasons, recording 10 pass interceptions in his career. An excellent punt returner, he led the ACC and finished third nationally with two touchdown returns and a 15.5 yard average in 1987.
The 11th overall selection in the first round of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, Woolford played 10 seasons in the NFL, the first eight with the Bears (1989-97) followed by one each with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1997) and Carolina Panthers (1998). He earned selection to the NFL Pro Bowl in 1993 and was named an All-Pro in 1994.
He finished his career with 36 interceptions, the most at the time in Bears history. Originally a native of Fayetteville, N.C., he now resides in Charlotte.
Joining Woolford is former Virginia coach George Welsh, Florida State’s two-time consensus All-American linebacker Derrick Brooks, four-time Pitt All-American defensive end Hugh Green and Syracuse All-American wide receiver Art Monk,Boston College offensive lineman Chris Snee, who earned second-team All-America honors (AP) as a senior at guard; Duke wide receiver Chris Castor, the first wide receiver to earn Player of the Year honors in ACC history; Georgia Tech offensive lineman John Davis, who earned first-team All-America honors as a tackle and as a center for the Yellow Jackets; and Louisville cornerback Frank Minnifield, who led the nation in kickoff returns and was an excellent cover cornerback for the Cardinals.
The Legends are each selected by their respective schools and will be honored during this year’s Dr. Pepper ACC Football Championship Game weekend. They will be honored at the ACC Night of Legends sponsored by the Belk Bowl on Friday, Dec. 5, and on Saturday Dec. 6, during ceremonies at Bank of America Stadium for the 10th Annual Dr. Pepper ACC Football Championship, which will be nationally televised with either a 7:45 pm (ESPN) or 8 p.m. (ABC) kickoff.