On this date December 25th, 1972 the original “Dancing” Badger…Rufus “the Roadrunner” Ferguson left his mark as a Badger in South Florida.
Rufus Ferguson and the Rufus Shuffle
Ferguson who became the first 1,000 yard rusher in UW history in the year previous, took his touchdown celebration, “The Rufus Shuffle,” to his hometown of Miami for the 1972 North-South All Star Game. In the 4th quarter with his team (North) down 10-3, Furguson bounded into the endzone from 2 yards out, for the game tieing score.
Ferguson
The North went on to win 17-10, and the “Dancing Badger” brought back with him to campus some hardware, #21 was named the games MVP for his 55 yards in 21 carries.
The 5’6″, 190lb runningback was later drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the 16th round of the 1973 NFL Draft.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
It’s a shame the refs would throw a flag for doing that same celebration shuffle today.
…the Roadrunner must have began his Christmas feast a little early that year.