April 19, 2007

University of Illinois former All-America standouts, quarterback Jeff George and linebacker Simeon Rice, will return to campus this weekend to serve as honorary coaches for the annual Orange and Blue Spring Game. The game is set for 1 p.m. at Memorial Stadium, Sat., April 21.

Former Illini Jeff George

"I am really looking forward to having both Simeon and Jeff back for the weekend," head coach Ron Zook said. "These are two guys who have had a major impact on the Illinois football program and we want to get them back here to see how much we appreciate what they have done for Illinois. These guys are winners and I want our current players to see the passion they have for the game of football and for the Illini Nation."

George was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1990 NFL Draft, the first and only in school history. While at Illinois, he led his team to two bowl games in just two seasons and passed for over 5,000 yards. He was a two-time All-Big Ten selection and earned All-America honors in both 1988 and 1989. George went on to spend 11 years in the National Football League.

Former Illini Simeon Rice

Rice was the No. 3 overall selection in the NFL draft in 1996. As an Illini, the three-time All-American terrorized opponent quarterbacks setting career school records with 44.5 quarterback sacks and 69 tackles for loss. No other player in school history has come close to those marks. His 44.5 career sacks are also still a Big Ten record. Rice earned a Super Bowl championship ring in 2003 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and just wrapped up his 11th season in the NFL.