Payton Wilson will be NC State’s 13th Player Inducted into the Ring of Honor

On November 2nd, former Linebacker Payton Wilson will be inducted into NC State’s Football Ring of Honor. Wilson will be the 13th former Wolfpack player added to the Ring of Honor.

Here’s a look at the current members of NC State’s Ring of Honor.

Members of the NC State Football Ring of Honor

Running Back Dick Christy – His number was retired on November 8th, 1997. Christy earned 1st Team All-American honors in 1957, All-ACC Honors in 1955 (2nd) & 1957 (1st) and ACC Player of the Year and Athlete of the Year in 1957. At the end of his college career, Christy held 14 NC State records and 4 ACC records.

Quarterback Roman Gabriel – His number was retired on January 20th, 1962. Gabriel earned 1st Team All-American & 1st Team All-ACC honors in 1960 & 1961, the ACC Athlete of the Year Award in 1961 and the ACC Player of the Year Award in 1960 & 1961. At the end of his college career, Gabriel held nearly every NC State passing record.

Defensive End Dennis Byrd – In 1967, Byrd became NC State’s first Consensus 1st Team All-American, and also was the first player in conference history to earn All-ACC honors three times. Byrd is one of 4 NC State players to earn 1st Team All-ACC 3+ times.

Offensive Guard Bill Yoest – His number was retired on September 27th, 2003. In 1973, Yoest was named a Consensus 1st Team All-American. Yoest earned 1st Team All-ACC honors in 1972 & 1973. He earned the Jacobs Blocking Trophy for the ACC in 1973.

Running Back Ted Brown – His number was retired on November 18th, 1978. Brown was a Consensus 1st Team All-American in 1978. He is the only player in NC State history to earn 1st Team All-ACC honors 4 times. Brown was the ACC Career leader in Rushing Yards and Rushing Touchdowns until 2020 and 2016 respectively. Brown still holds the record for most career rushing yards and rushing touchdowns at NC State.

Center Jim Ritcher – His number was retired on February 8th, 1987. Ritcher was a 2-time Consensus 1st Team All-American. He won the Outland Trophy Award in 1979, which is awarded annually to the best interior offensive lineman in college football. Ritcher won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy for the ACC in 1978 and 1979. He earned 1st Team All-ACC honors in 1978 and 1979.

Wide Receiver Torry Holt – His jersey was retired on January 16th, 1999. Holt earned Consensus 1st Team All-American Honors in 1998. In that same year, he was also the ACC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year. At the end of his career, he held the ACC record for the most career receiving yards, as well as the NC State record for receptions and touchdown receptions. Holt was named 1st Team All-ACC twice.

Quarterback Philip Rivers – His jersey was retired on November 22nd, 2003. He was named the ACC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year in 2003. When he finished his college career, he was the ACC career leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns, and he still holds the record in passing yards. Rivers still holds both records at NC State, as well as the best career passing efficiency rating, and others. In 2003, Rivers earned 1st Team All-ACC honors.

Defensive End Mario Williams – His jersey number was honored in the season opener of the 2014 season. In 2005, Sports Illustrated named him a 1st Team All-American. When he finished his college career at NC State, he held the records for most career sacks and tackles for loss, which have both since been passed by Bradley Chubb. He still holds the record for most sacks and tackles for loss in a single season. Williams was named 1st Team All-ACC twice.

Quarterback Russell Wilson – His jersey number was honored during the 2014 Spring game. In 2008, Wilson earned Freshman of the Year and 1st Team All-ACC honors.

Defensive End Bradley Chubb – His jersey number was honored on November 8th, 2018. In 2017, Chubb earned the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Ted Hendricks Award, as well as the ACC Defensive Player of the Year Award. In that same year, Chubb was a Unanimous 1st Team All-American, and earned 1st Team All-ACC honors. Chubb holds NC State’s record for most career sacks and tackles for loss.

Head Coach Bill Cowher – In 1978, Cowher racked up 195 tackles in a single season, which is an NC State record. In 1977, he had 176, which ranks 3rd. On two occasions, Cowher had 24 tackles in a single game, which is tied for the 2nd most tackles in a single game in NC State history. Cowher went on to be the legendary head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 15 seasons, he won 8 division titles, advanced to the playoffs 10 times, advanced to 6 AFC title games, advanced to 2 Super Bowls, winning the Lombardi trophy in 2006. Cowher was named the NFL Coach of the Year twice.

*Williams, Chubb and Wilson don’t have their numbers retired. Their numbers are honored, and when players where the #9 and #16 now, they wear a patch honoring the Ring of Honor members.