Dave Chaney, the first San Jose State University football player to be a two-time All-America selection since the Spartans began playing the sport at the major college level in 1950, will be enshrined in the CEFCU Stadium Ring of Honor during the 2019 football season. Athletics director Marie Tuite made the announcement.
Chaney was a linebacker on the 1969 through 1971 San Jose State teams from his sophomore through senior seasons. The product of Greenfield, Calif., and King City (Calif.) High School played much bigger than his 5-foot-11, 210-pound listed size. In his three seasons, he established school career records for tackles, interception return yardage and interceptions returned for a touchdown. His 527 career tackles in just three seasons still is a San Jose State record 48 years later.
"There are 11 guys on the field at one time – 10 other guys out on the field with me. I don't want to take all the credit," said Chaney.
"There are not enough words in the dictionary. I'm in awe of the award. What can I say? I played with some great players and we had good teams. What do you say when someone drops a 'bomb' on you and catches you off guard."
The 1970 second-team All-America selection cemented his spot as a first-team All-America in 1971 with his National Lineman of the Week performance in San Jose State's stunning 13-12 upset over #10-ranked and eventual Rose Bowl champion Stanford. Chaney was credited with 17 tackles, 12 of them unassisted, 4.0 tackles for lost yardage, two fumble recoveries and a third-quarter pass interception on a day when Stanford had 95 offensive plays.
Chaney became the first modern era San Jose State player to be selected as a first-team All-America. The two-time, first-team all-conference and All-West Coast honoree would become the first Spartan to accept an invitation and play in a Senior Bowl.
"There is no doubt Dave Chaney is one of the greatest football players in San Jose State history. His legend as a Spartan clearly has stood the test of time and lives on today. It is clearly time to have his name in our Ring of Honor for what he symbolizes as a San Jose State football player – an unparalleled playing career and a noteworthy professional career of accomplishments and service to his local community," said Tuite.
Though he was a 1972 draft choice of the Kansas City Chiefs, Chaney elected to pursue a career as a high school special education teacher and was a successful tennis coach. His teams won 12 league championships and more than 400 dual matches in a 20-year coaching career.
This latest San Jose State honor follows having his jersey #52 retired, being named to the San Jose State Sports Hall of Fame, and being named to the San Jose State University football All-Century team in 1995.
He also is enshrined in the Salinas Valley Sports Hall of Fame and was named as the #5 greatest athlete in the Salinas area of the 20th century by the Salinas Californian.
Chaney is joining Bob Bronzan, Jack Elway, Claude Gilbert, John Ralston, Dick Vermeil, Bill Walsh and Pop Warner, best known for their coaching achievements; quarterbacks Steve DeBerg and Jeff Garcia; running back Gerald Willhite; and five-time Pro Bowl defensive back Louie Wright in the CEFCU Stadium Ring of Honor started in 1998 to celebrate the university's history, tradition and excellence in sports.