Back to search

Mike Garrett

Running Back

Inducted 1985

Date of Birth

4/12/1944

Birthplace

Los Angeles, CA

School

University of Southern California (1963-1965)

Bio

Mike Garrett was among the nation's leaders in rushing all three years he played for Southern California. He was seventh in 1963, sixth in 1964, first in 1965. His career rushing total, 3221 yards, broke the national record set 15 years earlier by Ollie Matson at the University of San Francisco. Besides his rushing gains, Garrett caught 36 passes, returned 43 punts, returned 30 kickoffs and threw six passes. Two of his passes went for touchdowns. He scored 30 touchdowns. Against California in 1965, he returned punts 87 and 74 yards for scores. He averaged 23 yards in kickoff returns. Garrett stood 5-9 in height and weighed 185. He was All-America his last two years, a unanimous choice in 1965. That year he won the Heisman Trophy, Voit Memorial Award, and the Pop Warner Award. He was named Athlete of the Year by the YMCA and North American Athlete by the Helms Foundation. He played with Kansas City and San Diego 1966-73 and was an all-pro halfback. He graduated from Southern California with a degree in sociology and later added a law degree. Garrett had a long record of community service. While in college he helped found the Cool Head Program, working with youth groups. He volunteered at the McLaren Children's Center. In San Diego, he worked in the district attorney's office and was a youth counselor. He was a graduate of Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles, and in 1989 he established the East Los Angeles Youth Activities Foundation. It is now called the Mike Garrett Foundation. He worked in real estate and construction firms after leaving football. In 1990 Garrett received the NCAA's Silver Anniversary Medal given to athletes for their activities after college. That same year he returned to the University of Southern California as associate director of athletics. In January 1993 he was named director of athletics.