University of Delaware Athletics
Hall of Fame
Rich Gannon
- Induction:
- 2005
- Class:
- 1987
RICHARD J. “RICH” GANNON
Football (1983-86)
One of the most widely-recognized athletes in Delaware history, Rich followed an All-American career for the Blue Hens with a stellar 18-year tenure in the National Football League.
A native of Philadelphia, Rich was a three-year starting quarterback for coach Tubby Raymond and earned All-American honors in 1986 when he was the Yankee Conference Player of the Year while leading the team to the NCAA quarterfinals.
He established 21 school records, including career marks for passing yards (5,927), total offense (7,436), and rushing yards by a quarterback (1,509), and was named UD’s Outstanding Senior Male Athlete of the Year in 1986-87.
He was a fourth round pick in the 1987 draft and went on to an outstanding NFL career with Minnesota, Washington, Kansas City, and Oakland in 1987-2004. He was a three-time All-Pro, was the NFL Most Valuable Player in 2002, and led the Raiders to the 2003 Super Bowl. He has gone on to an award-winning career as an NFL commentator and color analyst for CBS Sports.
He earned his degree from Delaware in 1987. He was inducted into the Delaware Sports Museum & Hall of Fame in 2016.
Football (1983-86)
One of the most widely-recognized athletes in Delaware history, Rich followed an All-American career for the Blue Hens with a stellar 18-year tenure in the National Football League.
A native of Philadelphia, Rich was a three-year starting quarterback for coach Tubby Raymond and earned All-American honors in 1986 when he was the Yankee Conference Player of the Year while leading the team to the NCAA quarterfinals.
He established 21 school records, including career marks for passing yards (5,927), total offense (7,436), and rushing yards by a quarterback (1,509), and was named UD’s Outstanding Senior Male Athlete of the Year in 1986-87.
He was a fourth round pick in the 1987 draft and went on to an outstanding NFL career with Minnesota, Washington, Kansas City, and Oakland in 1987-2004. He was a three-time All-Pro, was the NFL Most Valuable Player in 2002, and led the Raiders to the 2003 Super Bowl. He has gone on to an award-winning career as an NFL commentator and color analyst for CBS Sports.
He earned his degree from Delaware in 1987. He was inducted into the Delaware Sports Museum & Hall of Fame in 2016.
Delaware Football National Signing Day Press Conference - 12/3/25
Thursday, December 04
Delaware Football Postgame Press Conference - UTEP 11/29/25
Saturday, November 29
Delaware Football Weekly Press Conference - Week 14
Thursday, November 27
Athletes Thread x Delaware Athletics
Friday, November 21
