Fredd Young, a former American football player, expressed his honor at being part of New Mexico's sports history during an interview on ESPN Radio 101.7's "TEAM TALK." Reflecting on his journey from Dallas to New Mexico State University and his National Football League (NFL) career, Young shared insights into the pivotal moments that shaped his path.
"I'm proud to be a part of New Mexico, and their history is going to happen," said Young. "I had a great career at New Mexico State, and I really enjoyed it, and I still live in Las Cruces. They challenge you and you have to step up or step back and get out."
During the interview, Young recalled a significant game that propelled his football career. "I had like five sacks in one game... and we're going to offer you a scholarship right here on the spot," he said. He recounted how scouts initially came to watch another player, Aaron Bolton, who eventually went to Southern Methodist University (SMU), but instead offered him a scholarship. Young also discussed his decision to leave home for college: "This is too close to home. I want to get out and, you know, spread my wings."
Fredd Young, former American football player
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According to the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame, during his time at New Mexico State University, Young was recognized as a standout player. He earned First Team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors in 1981, 1982, and 1983 and received Honorable Mention All-American honors from the Associated Press and Sporting News in 1983. Over his college career, he amassed 400 tackles, leading to his induction into the NMSU Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Aggie Legend Ring of Honor in 2007.
Young was drafted in the third round of the 1984 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He made an immediate impact by earning Pro Bowl selections in his first four seasons—two as a special-teams player and two as a linebacker. According to the Los Alamos Reporter, Young concluded his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts, accumulating 601 tackles, 21 quarterback sacks, and three interceptions over seven seasons.
Frederick "Fredd" Kimball Young was born in Dallas in 1961 and starred at New Mexico State University before being drafted by the Seahawks in 1984. Known for his hard hits, he played in four Pro Bowls and ended his NFL career with notable statistics.
Editor's note: This article includes excerpts from an interview conducted on "TEAM Talk" with Joe O'Neill, Adam Diehl, and Andres Chavez. "TEAM Talk" airs Monday through Friday between 4 p.m.-7 p.m. on ESPN Radio 101.7 TheTEAM. Listen live at https://www.1017theteam.com/ or via the app on iPhone and Android devices. To listen to the full interview with Fredd Young, visit: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2024-nm-sports-hof-inductee-fredd-young-interview/id1533691091?i=1000714374719
