Power Rated Football Podcast: Episode 4, Part 1; The John Fitzgerald Interview

This week, for part one of our weekly podcast, I interview John Fitzgerald if Central Oklahoma. John is the current color analyst for the Bronchos, and was a three time All-American on the D2 level, and is a current candidate for the College Football Hall of Fame. We speak about Central Oklahoma football, his career, the Hall of Fame, and the MIAA. Here is John's bio:

In 1999, The Daily Oklahoman honored Fitzgerald by naming him to the All-Century State College Football team, which honored the best small college players from 1900–1999. Fitzgerald was named to that team following his sophomore season.^[2]

In 2005, UCO honored Fitzgerald by naming him to the All-Century University of Central Oklahoma team. This was a team honoring the best football players in the 100 years of football played by the University of Central Oklahoma.^[3]

In 2006, the Lone Star Conference celebrated its 75th Anniversary by selecting the 75 greatest football players in the history of the conference. Fitzgerald was one of six Bronchos named to this elite team.^[4] During Fitzgerald's career at UCO, the Bronchos won 35 games. During 1997, UCO finished with a record of 9–2 and won the Lone Star Conference North Division Championship. In 1998, they had the most success of that four year span. The Bronchos finished the season 13–0 and ranked number one in the nation. They won the Lone Star Conference North Division Championship as well as the overall conference championship. They also won the NCAA West Regional Championship. In 1999, UCO started out 8-0, but finished the season with 3 straight losses. They still won their second straight overall conference championship. In 2000, UCO finished 5-5.

Fitzgerald was invited to the NFL Combine and trained with Chip Smith at Competitive Edge Sports in Atlanta, Georgia. While in Atlanta, Fitzgerald trained with NFL stars Rudi Johnson, Alge Crumpler, Champ Bailey and Brian Urlacher. He suffered a shoulder injury that prevented a career in the National Football League.

Fitzgerald was also a standout track and field athlete while at Central Oklahoma. Fitzgerald twice qualified for the NCAA Indoor & Outdoor National Championships in the shotput and discus throw. During his time at UCO, he had a personal best in the discus of 180 feet 4 inches and a best in the shot of 52 feet 10.75 inches.

Fitzgerald is on the 2015 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot.

Here is the link to "The Power Rated Podcast: Episode 4, Part One"

https://archive.org/details/201708131615531