BYU to retire Jim McMahon's No. 9 jersey
Brigham Young University will honor former two-time All-American Cougar and Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon by retiring his No. 9 jersey during halftime against Utah State on Oct. 3, the school announced Thursday.
McMahon is also eligible to graduate from BYU nearly four decades after enrolling.
“I love the example Jim has set by completing his degree. I’m proud of him for finishing after all these years,” BYU director of athletics Tom Holmoe said. “Jim is one of the elite college quarterbacks of all time. He loved the game of football and always played the game like he was having fun. He was a great leader and a great teammate.
"I know there are a lot of people all over the country who are excited for Jim to be formally recognized as one of the Cougar greats.”
McMahon most notably led the Cougars to 21 points in the final two minutes, 33 seconds of the 1980 Holiday Bowl to defeat SMU 46-45, and give BYU its first bowl victory.
He finished his BYU football career in 1981 with 70 NCAA records and was selected fifth overall by the Bears in the 1982 NFL Draft.
McMahon will also be inducted into the BYU Athletic Hall of Fame as part of the 2014 Class on Oct. 2.