Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Brandon Fusco was ecstatic when he found out that his alma mater was retiring his football jersey.
So Fusco was back in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, over the weekend for a celebration that included a formal retirement of his No. 74.
“I stand here tonight a very proud and humble man,” Fusco said as he took the stage. “The best decision I made was coming to Slippery Rock and becoming part of the brotherhood that is Rock football. I don’t have words to describe what it means to have my number retired here at Slippery Rock. I will always be part of the green and white and I am very proud of that.”
"I stand here tonight a very proud and humble man." Brandon Fusco takes the stage after having his number retired. pic.twitter.com/FPpSGBcQx1
— Rock Athletics (@Rock_Athletics) April 23, 2016
The Vikings guard became just the third player in program history to have his number retired at Slippery Rock. Fusco started 44 consecutive games for “The Rock,” the school’s moniker.
The Vikings drafted him in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
“Brandon worked tirelessly to become the best player in the country while he was at Slippery Rock,” said former Rock head coach George Mihalik. “He has continued to display that work ethic in the NFL and has become one of the best guards in the world. What makes us the most proud is that when he gets on national TV and says he played at Slippery Rock, he does it full of pride. We couldn’t be more proud to call Brandon our own.”
While at Slippery Rock, Fusco was a three-time all-conference selection in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. He was also a consensus first team All-American as a senior in 2010. He was named the Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year in 2010 and was named the Rimington Trophy winner as the best center in the country.
