DALLAS, Texas – Former University of Michigan football offensive lineman and 14-year NFL standout John “Jumbo” Elliott has been named to the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020, it was announced today (March 11) during SportsCenter on ESPN2. Elliott becomes the 32nd Wolverine player to receive induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Elliott was a four-year letterman who helped U-M to a 35-13-1 overall record and 23-9-1 Big Ten mark during his four-year career (1984-86). He helped the Wolverines claim the 1986 Big Ten title and twice finish in the top 10 of the national polls, including the No. 2 ranking in 1985 after defeating Nebraska in the 1986 Fiesta Bowl.
A two-time All-American and All-Big Ten first team performer (1986-87), Elliott was a finalist for the 1987 Outland Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award. He is one of just 22 players in Michigan history to earned first-team All-America honors at least twice in their career. Elliott won the Hugh R. Rader Award as the team’ best offensive lineman in 1987.
A 6-7, 306-pound offensive tackle for the Wolverines, Elliott finished his career as Michigan’s all-time leader in career starts among offensive lineman, where he currently ranks sixth. He started 44 of his final 46 games in the winged helmet, with his only missed starting assignments coming due to injury. Elliott helped pave the way for Michigan’s ground game led by Jamie Morris, a 1,000-yard back three straight seasons and the school’s leading rusher at the conclusion of his career.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in education, Elliott embarked on a 14-year NFL career that saw him play for both New York teams. Elliott was drafted early in the second round by the New York Giants with the 36th overall pick of the 1988 draft. He played eight seasons for the Giants (1988-95) and was a key starter on the franchises Super Bowl XXV winning squad. He collected a plethora of accolades during his time with the Giants, earning 1988 All-Rookie Team, three-time All-Madden Team selection, 1993 Pro Bowl selection, 1995 Ed Block Courage Award winner, 75th Anniversary All-Time Giants Team and Giants All-Time Team of the Millennium/Century. Elliott started 98 games at left tackle and played in a total of 112 games for the Giants.
Elliott moved across town to play for the Jets for six seasons (1996-2000, 2002), helping the franchise reach the playoffs on two occasions. He helped a 1-15 team in 1996 reach the AFC Championship Game in 1998, earning him the New Jersey Sports Writers Offensive Lineman of the Year. Elliott started 58 of his 85 games played as a member of the Jets.
He started 156 games during his NFL career and played in 196 contests, with starts in 140 of 142 games from 1990-99. Elliott paved the way for a 1,000-yard rusher during 13 of his 14 years in the NFL. He was a member of five playoff teams, two AFC East Championship squads and the Giants team that won Super Bowl XXV.
A Lake Ronkonkoma, New York, native, Elliott was inducted into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame with the Class of 1993. He was also inducted into the Sachem High School Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003 and his jersey retired at the school in 1989.
Elliott will be inducted at the National Football Foundation Annual Awards Dinner in New York City on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020.
