Terry Baker

Terry Baker. An American former gridiron football player who achieved legendary status in college football before a brief professional career. He is most celebrated for winning the Heisman Trophy in 1962 while playing quarterback for the Oregon State Beavers, becoming the first athlete from a school west of Texas to receive the award. His iconic 99-yard touchdown run in the 1962 Liberty Bowl remains one of the most famous plays in the sport's history, cementing his legacy as one of the greats of his era.

Early life and education

Born in Pendleton, Oregon, Baker grew up in Portland and attended Jefferson High School, where he excelled in multiple sports. He demonstrated exceptional athletic prowess, earning all-state honors in both basketball and football, and led his team to a state championship in the latter. His outstanding high school career attracted the attention of numerous college programs, but he chose to stay in-state, accepting a scholarship to attend Oregon State University in Corvallis. At Oregon State, he pursued a degree in mechanical engineering while embarking on a dual-sport career for the Oregon State Beavers.

College football career

Baker's tenure with the Beavers football team from 1960 to 1962 is considered one of the most remarkable in the history of the Pacific Coast Conference. Playing under coach Tommy Prothro, he revolutionized the quarterback position with his dynamic arm and explosive running ability. The pinnacle of his collegiate career came during the 1962 season, when he led the nation in total offense and guided the Beavers to a 9-2 record and a berth in the Liberty Bowl. In that game against the Villanova Wildcats, he scored the contest's only points on a legendary 99-yard touchdown run, a play forever memorialized in college football lore. That season, he was a unanimous Consensus All-American and swept major awards, winning the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award, and being named Sporting News Player of the Year.

Professional football career

Selected with the first overall pick in the 1963 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, Baker's transition to the NFL proved challenging. He found himself behind established star Roman Gabriel on the depth chart and struggled to adapt his playing style to the professional game under coaches like Harland Svare. After seeing limited action over two seasons with the Rams, he was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the 1966 NFL expansion draft. He did not play for the Falcons, and his professional career concluded when he was traded to the CFL's Edmonton Eskimos in 1967, where he retired without appearing in a regular-season game.

Post-football career and honors

Following his retirement from football, Baker returned to his academic roots, earning a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Southern California and embarking on a successful career as a trial lawyer in Portland. His athletic achievements have been consistently honored; he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1982 and the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame. In 2011, Oregon State University retired his jersey number, and he remains a revered figure at the institution, with his Heisman Trophy prominently displayed on campus. His legacy is also preserved at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, where his famous run is a central part of the game's history.

Personal life

Baker has maintained a private life centered in the Pacific Northwest. He is married and has children, having balanced the demands of a high-profile legal career with family commitments. He remains connected to his alma mater, often participating in events for the Oregon State University alumni association and the Oregon State Beavers athletic department. His story is frequently cited as a classic example of academic and athletic excellence, inspiring subsequent generations of student-athletes at institutions across the NCAA.

Category:American football quarterbacks Category:Oregon State Beavers football players Category:Heisman Trophy winners Category:1941 births Category:Living people