ROH 027-Bird-Adams

Calvin Bird

Calvin Bird excelled as a running back, pass receiver, defensive back, kickoff returner, and punt returner during his three letter years. He set four school records for highest kickoff return average in a season (30.4, 1959) and career (27.05). Bird averaged 8.44 yards every time he touched the ball during his career, formerly a school record (min. 300 plays), and scored a school-record 25 points in one game, vs. Hawaii, in 1958 and tied the school mark for touchdowns in a game with four. A second-team All-SEC selection as a junior, Bird was also a third-team All-SEC selection as a senior and chosen as the SEC’s “Sophomore of the Year” in 1958 when he led the league in pass receiving. He led the team in receiving and all-purpose yardage for three consecutive seasons, played in three all-star games following his senior season and was chosen as the Most Valuable Back in the All-American Bowl.

George Adams

As a steadfast running back for the Wildcats from 1981-84, George Adams led the team in rushing and all-purpose yardage as a sophomore, junior, and senior. His great 1984 campaign was topped by being named first-team All-SEC, UK’s Most Valuable Senior, and UK’s Most Outstanding Offensive Back. Adams helped lead the Wildcats to Hall of Fame Bowl appearances in 1983 and 1984 and was chosen as Kentucky’s MVP of the 1983 bowl. He ranks highly in school history in seven career categories and six single-season categories. The persistent back finished his career with 2,468 rushing yards on 638 attempts and played in the East-West Shrine Game and the Senior Bowl. Adams was a first-round draft pick of the New York Giants and had a seven-year career with the Giants and New England Patriots.