Ethan Horton (1985) - Patterson Medal Winners - University of North Carolina Athletics

Ethan Horton

Induction:
1985
Class:
1985

1985— Ethan Horton: Football (Kannapolis, N.C.)
The Associated Press’s ACC Player of the Year as a senior in 1984, one of seven players in UNC history to win ACC Player of the Year. Horton rushed for 1,247 yards and nine touchdowns that season after a 1,107-yard performance in 1983. He was co-MVP in UNC’s 1981 Gator Bowl win over Arkansas (rushed for 144 yards and two TDs) and the MVP of the 1982 Sun Bowl win over Texas (119 yards and a touchdown).

Horton was Third-Team All-America in 1983 and second-team in 1984, alongside First-team All-ACC in 1983 and 1984. For his career, he had 3,074 rushing yards, 46 receptions for 495 yards and 27 touchdowns. Through the 2022 season he is tied for the seventh-most rushing yards by a Tar Heel. Only two Tar Heels have since surpassed his career rushing total.

Horton was selected in the first round of the 1985 NFL Draft by Kansas City. He played mostly at tight end in the NFL, including a Pro Bowl season in 1991 with the L.A. Raiders.