Uncommon Engineering Ep. 9 - Head football coach Dan Hawkins with NFL kicker/philanthropist Rolf Benirschke - a podcast by Powered By Learfield IMG College

from 2020-06-12T17:00

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For our latest episode, we turn to another Aggie legend: Rolf Benirschke. Although best known as a San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame placekicker, Benirschke has carried numerous descriptions in his lifetime – zoology student, athlete, philanthropist, motivational speaker, author, advocate, even game show host. However, one word best sums up every aspect of his life: inspirational.

An outstanding two-sport athlete at UC Davis, Benirschke was drafted into the NFL in 1977, and traded to the San Diego Chargers. Early in his pro career, he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and underwent surgery that resulted in his being fitted with two ostomy appliances. He initially feared that his budding career was over, and that his lifestyle would forever be changed for the worse. Through a combination of hard work and his faith, Benirschke “chose better, not bitter” and worked his way back onto the football field in time for the 1980 season. Over the course of his career, he scored 766 points – a Charger record at the time.

During and after his NFL career, Benirschke also exhibited a charitable side that once earned him the NFL Man of the Year Award. He launched an event called Kicks For Critters, later known as the Celebration For The Critters, which has raised millions for the San Diego Kool. Benirschke became an ambassador for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America and founded Great Comebacks, each of which provide encouragement and support for others who underwent the same ostomy surgery that saved his life years before. He also launched the Rolf Benirschke Legacy Golf Invitational charity event, which even has an award named for legendary Aggie coach Jim Sochor. More than four decades after his surgery, Benirschke continues to inspire and motivate with his message about “the power of the human spirit.”

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Further episodes of Aggie Overtime – The Inside Scoop on UC Davis Athletics