Carl Eller

Carl Eller (born January 25, 1942) is a former professional American football player in the National Football League who played from 1964 through 1979. He was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and attended the University of Minnesota. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

College career

As a sophomore, Eller helped lead the Gophers to a Rose Bowl victory. While Eller shared the starting position as a sophomore he became a full-time, two-way player as a junior and senior and was voted All-America both years. During his time in college the Gophers were National Champions as well as Big Ten champions. As a senior (1963) Eller was the runner-up for the Outland Trophy. Following each football season, the Carl Eller Award is given to the University of Minnesota's Defensive Player of the Year. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

At the University of Minnesota Eller joined Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, via the Mu Chapter while at the University of Minnesota. In the 1990s, he graduated from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Minnesota with a bachelor's degree in human services.