Rodney Elam (2024) - Richmond Athletics Hall of Fame - University of Richmond Athletics

Rodney Elam

Induction:
2024
Class:
1975

His name doesn’t appear among Richmond’s football statistical records for top scorers, rushers, passers or receivers, but without Rodney Elam many of the names that do appear wouldn’t be there either.

As an offensive lineman, Rodney earned the prestigious Jacobs Blocking Award in 1975, emblematic of the Southern Conference’s top offensive lineman. He made such an impact that season he was also selected Big Five Offensive Player of the Year and All Southern Conference. He was a team captain as the Spiders captured the SoCon regular season title with a 5-1 league mark. During Rodney’s three years, the Spiders were 13-5 in the SoCon.

Following his standout collegiate football career, Rodney displayed his versatile athleticism and strength by becoming a Golden Gloves boxing champion. A local product, he was named the Richmond Touchdown Club High School Player of the Year in 1971. In 2014, he was inducted into the first class of the Lee-Davis High School Athletics Hall of Fame.