Jerry Hurst (1988) - Hall of Fame - Middle Tennessee State University Athletics

Jerry Hurst

Induction:
1988
Class:
1958

At 6'7" and 230 pounds, Jerry Hurst built a reputation at MT as a football end who was as adept at stopping end sweeps on defense as he was at catching passes. A transfer from the University of Tennessee, Hurst was All-OVC in both seasons he played MT football and was an All-American in 1957.

Hurst earned acclaim for his hard-nosed rebounding on the basketball court. He held single-season and career average rebounding records but was bumped from the game by a broken ankle. His fireball pitching on the mound attracted pro scouts.

Best known as the only MT athlete to play both professional baseball and football, Hurst did two seasons with the Toronto Argonauts and played for the Cincinnati Reds organization. Ticketed to be a member of the San Francisco 49ers in 1961, a back injury took him out of pro ball.