2024 Hula Bowl Hall of Fame Profile: Vince Ferragamo

Established in 2019, the Hula Bowl Hall of Fame is inducting five players and a contributor in 2024, joining an illustrious list of honorees including coaches like Bobby Bowden and Steve Spurrier, and players like Reggie White, Willie Roaf, Ron Simmons, and Marcus Allen.

First among the 2024 inductees is the former University of California and University of Nebraska quarterback Vince Ferragamo. The Golden State native commenced his collegiate career at Cal before transferring to Nebraska for his redshirt junior season, taking over as the starter in 1975. Coincidentally, he started over another Hula Bowl Hall of Fame quarterback, Steve Bartkowski while at Cal. Bartkowski would later follow in Ferragamo’s footsteps as a Los Angeles Rams quarterback.

At Nebraska

Ferragamo is regarded as one of Nebraska’s all-time best quarterbacks, a distinction in a history that includes multiple national champions and Heisman winners. He held the all-time single-season passing touchdown record for 30 seasons with 20 during the 1976 season. Beyond his athletic prowess, he garnered academic recognition, being twice named to the All Big-8 Academic All-American. His academic and athletic accomplishments earned him the National Football Foundation Award and subsequent induction into that Hall of Fame. Ferragamo concluded his exceptional collegiate career with an appearance in the Hula Bowl.

In the NFL

Ferragamo was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round during the 1977 NFL Draft. He joined a quarterback lineup that featured an aging, but future Hall of Famer Joe Namath and starter, Pat Haden. Ferragamo’s playing time increased notably in the 1979 season when he made his first NFL start after Haden broke his finger. He then went on to lead the ‘79 Rams against the reigning champion Pittsburg Steelers in Super Bowl XIV later that season. His early success in his NFL career coincided with the rise of the modern passing game, pioneered by figures like Don Coryell and Bill Walsh.

Super Bowl XIV was a hard-fought contest that ultimately saw the Steelers triumph 31-19. However, it marked the first time a quarterback started in a Super Bowl the same year they made their first career start. Ferragamo threw for 212 yards on 15/25 passing with no touchdowns.

Following his Super Bowl run, Ferragamo was named the Rams’ starter for the 1980 season, where he excelled with 30 touchdowns and 19 interceptions, throwing for 3,199 yards. He briefly ventured to the Canadian Football League in 1981 for the Montreal Alouettes but returned to the NFL in 1982 during the NFLPA strike. Notably, he recorded the league’s third-ever 500-yard passing game that season. Ferragamo’s final full NFL season was in 1983, when he posted 3,276 yards and joined the 20-20 club with 22 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.

End Of the Line

In a twist of fate, Ferragamo lost his starting job in 1984, in Los Angeles, due to a broken finger, mirroring how he initially earned it. After a season with the Buffalo Bills in 1985 and a stint with the Green Bay Packers in 1986, Ferragamo retired at the age of 32. He concluded his NFL career with 11,336 yards, 76 touchdowns, and 91 interceptions with a 56% completion rate.

Post Retirement

Beyond football, Ferragamo owns a vineyard among other businesses under the umbrella of Touchdown Real Estate. His is also a philanthropist, actively involved with various children’s charities including Ronald McDonald House and the Special Olympics.

All statistics provided courtesy of Pro Football Reference and Sports Reference.