SMU Athletics

Jerry Ball was a defensive lineman at SMU from 1983-86, earning All-Southwest Conference honors three years in a row from 1984-86. Ball, who was a Playboy All-American in 1986, ranks fourth all-time at SMU in sacks. Ball led the Mustangs in tackles in 1984 and guided SMU to a SWC Co-Championship, as well as a 27-20 win over Notre Dame in the 1984 Aloha Bowl. He was selected in the third round of the 1987 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions. Ball played 13 seasons in the NFL and was a four-time Pro Bowl selection. Ball helped lead two teams to NFC Championship games, first with the Detroit Lions in 1991 and later with the Minnesota Vikings in 1998. He was elected to the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in 2015. HOF SMU class of 2015. 



Jerry Ball delivers his acceptance speech (1:16:30)