Nine former football players of Fresno City Football teams were inducted to the Wall of Fame on Aug. 26. Ex-football players, staff members, current players and family gathered at Pardini’s Cafe in Fresno to honor the football players who contributed immensely to Fresno City College football.
FCC Football coach Tony Caviglia said, “The criteria to become inducted to the Wall of Fame is to be a good teammate, a good team member, a good player, not necessarily the best, graduate, and be productive in the community.”
Caviglia also said that Cornerstone members of the wall are people who didn’t play football at the school but supported the football program by “going above and beyond.”
This year’s class of inductees included defensive back Cameron Worrell who also went on to play in Super Bowl XLI with the Chicago Bears. Worrell is now the defensive backs coach for the FCC football team.
“I think back to my mentality as a player and a student when I was here and try to avoid some of the mistakes I made and help get them to the next level,” said Worrell.
Worrell’s fellow inductees are linebackers Keith Earl, Jeff Peracchi, and Mike Pogue, Running back Steve Franklin, and linemen Randy Wood, Mark Molthen, DeWayne Williams, and Chad Ede.
The nine inductees were introduced by master of ceremonies, George Takata, and brought to the stage for brief interviews. Many of the players thanked their former coaches and fellow teammates during their interviews.
Many of the inductees remained in the Central Valley after their playing days while Pogue moved back to his hometown of Dadeville, Ala.
The honorees now work in a variety of fields. Wood, Pogue and Williams went on to become teachers. Peracchi now farms almonds and grapes in west Fresno. Molthen is a physician while Franklin is a correctional officer at the Wasco State Prison
This year marks the twenty-third induction to the wall of fame. The earliest Ram squad represented was the 1973 team and the latest was the 2000 squad. The names of the inductees are etched into the marble wall on the western entrance of Ratcliffe Stadium.
The wall has 152 former players on the wall of fame. Some past inductees include Tom Flores, former coach of the Oakland Raiders, and Shannon Pulliam, head coach of the Lemoore High Tigers. The wall also includes lesser known players like Mike Ryan who scored the first touchdown in the college’s football history.
Ledio Fanucchi, the first FCC player drafted to the NFL, played with the Chicago Cardinals in 1954. He said, “I was inducted in the second class and even though I’ve missed a few of these dinners, it still feels good to be here.”
Mike Killijian, a member of the 1948-1949 Rams, added, “This is a great thing for the program. We have had some great athletes at Fresno City and it is important to honor them”. Throughout the night, many of the inductees stated how honored they felt to be inducted into the wall.
Former Linebacker, Jeff Peracchi, said, “There are a lot of familiar faces and it’s really neat to be a part of this.”
Dewayne Williams said, “It’s very humbling. With all the great players and coaches that have come through here and the great people and community that has preceded you. It’s fun to be part of this.”
Long after his playing days Williams has kept in touch with the program. “I’ve coached some of these kids and still catch a few games when I can. Once a Ram, always a Ram,” said Williams. “It feels wonderful to be honored,” said inductee Steve Franklin, who holds the record for the longest run from scrimmage in FCC history, “to be thought of that way by the community and the committee is wonderful.”
Current FCC Linebacker Kyle Staples said of the event, “Community is important for whatever school you play for, so it’s good to honor past players.” Another FCC linebacker, David Ford, also attended the event. “It would be great to become positive role models in the community after our playing time,” said Ford.
While the event celebrated the past, it also served as a way to look toward the future. Williams said, “To see how Coach Caviglia has elevated the program to what it is now is really exciting.” Perracchi echoed, “I really want to see us beat San Francisco this season. I’d really like to see that.”
