Salaam collects respect with all his awards

Sporting News, The, Dec 19, 1994 by B.G. Brooks

Rashaan Salaam's 1994 statistics tell a remarkable story. But to his Colorado teammates and coaches, Salaam's story isn't about numbers. It's about humility.

Salaam quickly learned how to celebrate and whom to acknowledge for his success. And he had numerous chances to do both.

"He's not one of those backs who gets in the end zone and immediately rips his helmet off and says, Look at me,'" Buffaloes tight end Christian Fauria says. "The first thing he does is look for somebody else. And his linemen are always right there. I think that in itself is a testament that this guy's genuine."

So is his ability. Salaam led the nation in rushing (186.8 yards a game), scoring (13.1 points a game and 24 touchdowns) and all-purpose yards (213.6 yards a game). He became only the fourth NCAA Division I-A back to surpass 2,000 yards rushing (2,055) in a season, joining Oklahoma State's Barry Sanders (2,628 in 1988), Southern Cal's Marcus Allen (2,342 in 1981) and Nebraska's Mike Rozier (2,148 in 1983).

For these reasons, Salaam is the The Sporting News 1994 Player of the Year. Just add this award to his hardware collection, which includes the Heisman, which he picked up last Saturday, and the Doak Walker and Walter Camp awards.

Actually, he added them to someone else's collection. Salaam's great season culminated in a great giveaway to his relatives. The Walter Camp trophy went to Salaam's father, Sultan. The Doak Walker trophy was passed to an uncle m Atlanta who treated me like a son." And the Heisman was handed off to his mother, Khalada, who considers this as much a blessing as I do."

As noteworthy as Salaam's productivity was his durability. He carried 298 times, never missing a play because of injury. At Texas, in 90-degree heat and

stifling humidity, he rushed 35 times for 317 yards and a touchdown in the Buff's 34-31 victory. Most of his productivity came with games still undecided: He did not play in six fourth quarters of Colorado's 11 games.

Salaam, an eight-man football legend at LaJolla (Calif.) Country Day who was initially uncertain about his Division I-A ability, said he would decide the first week of January whether to return to Colorado for his senior season or declare his eligibility for the NFL draft. The deadline for underclassmen is January 11.

His "gut feeling" is to return. After Rick Neuheisel was named Bill McCartney's successor, Salaam said there was a 90 percent chance he'll play his senior season. If he does, he's the early favorite for the '95 Heisman. Not since Ohio State's Archie Griffin brought home the award in '74 and '75 has the same man won in consecutive seasons.

If he decides to turn pro, Salaam's - and McCartney's - final game at Colorado will be against Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. Reflecting on Salaam's season, McCartney says his tailback never changed.

"With the success he's enjoyed, he's always deflected the praise,, McCartney says. "And as a result he's won the affections of everyone around here. He has done everyone here extremely proud with his ability, his great performances."

But Salaam's prolific fall has influenced him in a way he could not imagine.

"I had goals of getting some awards this year, but I didn't think all of this was going to come with it," Salaam says. "I was thinking of getting the awards, I think you're really expected to be an admirable person. You can't get awards stacked up like this and then get into trouble.... A lot of respect comes with these."

As Salaam is finding out, respect goes both ways.

B.G. Brooks covers college football for the Rocky Mountain News.