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    Recently, I was going through an old box I dug up which featured a collection of sports programs through the years; for whatever reason I’ve always liked having these for sporting events, but then feel like I should do something with them. Throwing them in my folks’ attic for years is something right?
                                                                                                                                                                                         In any case, one of the programs was from a Governor’s Cup game years ago and it featured on the cover the headline “The Bluegrass Bombers” in association with the text was an image of then Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch going head to head with then Louisville quarterback Chris Redman.
                                                                                                                                                                                             Well, one thing led to another and I realized that it was about time for the next sports legend of the ‘Ville.
                                                                                                                                                                                     Chris Redman quickly became a superstar at the University of Louisville establishing himself as viable talent, but before all that the Louisvillian was a top talent in town at his high school alma mater, Male.
                                                                                                                                                                                    Playing under his father, Bob Redman, Chris led the Bulldogs to a 1993 State Championship. He was so noticeable in fact that in 1994, the young Redman was named Parade’s National Player of the Year, and he was honored with two all-state quarterback awards during his high school career.
                                                                                                                                                                                         In fact, nationally as a high school athlete Redman still holds the record for the most touchdown passes in a half of high school football, when he delivered eight  times- a feat he accomplished twice.
                                                                                                                                                                                    With that resume, it came as little surprise when a lot of colleges got in touch with the Derby City slinger.
    With colleges all over the country vying for the future freshman, Redman seemed to keep his mind on the University of Louisville, wanting to stay home so to speak. He actually gave a commitment to legendary Cards coach, Howard Schnellenberger regarding his college days, however when Schnellenberger left to take a job at Oklahoma, Redman found himself in an interesting situation. Where he made non-official agreements with Illinois as well as others.
                                                                                                                                                                                     However, new Cards coach, Ron Cooper wasn’t about to let the QB slip through his fingers, and as such managed to sign the rookie, who had been named Mr. Football USA in 1994.
                                                                                                                                                                                        To date, Redman is one of Louisville’s most successful quarterbacks, playing in two back to back bowl games in his junior and senior seasons. In his senior season in fact, he won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
    When the NFL came calling in 2000 Redman went to Baltimore, where he worked as a back-up QB with a Ravens team which concluded their season winning the superbowl that year, despite putting up solid numbers in the following seasons Redman bounced around the NFL with varying contracts including inking deals with the Patriots and Titans, finally suiting up with the arena football team, Austin Wranglers.
                                                                                                                                                                                     However, he didn’t stay in Texas for long, because Bobby Petrino had become head coach with the Atlanta Falcons. Petrino coached Redman during his junior and senior seasons at Louisville so he understood his potential, and as such Redman made his way to Georgia.
                                                                                                                                                                                         For the next five years Petrino would be both a backup as well as starting quarterback for the Falcons, often showing his talent.
                                                                                                                                                                                         At the beginning of the 2012 season, Petrino was released from Atlanta.
                                                                                                                                                                               Through it all though, number 8 still remains one of the biggest stars to come out of Louisville football and for good reason.                                                                                                                                                                         Image courtesy of Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame
     

    Dave Rose's picture

    About Dave Rose

    Recently, I completed a Masters degree in Education and have been writing for Louisville.com for over a year now, prior to that I published a humor book for young adults titled Wearing Socks with Sandals, a book about getting through high school, college, and all of the requisite problems that present themselves during that time. Currently, I spend much of my time in classroom settings as well as writing in various areas. Of course, I’m a big sports fan and love music and film, and love finding new stuff around Louisville.

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