2019 Eight Man Football Coaches Assn. Hall of Fame Inductee-Billy Legate - Clearwater

Posted Saturday, June 8, 2019, at 3:37 PM

I am now proud to present our third 2019 NEMFCA Hall of Fame inductee, one of the roughest, toughest, tackling machines in the history of 8-Man football, Mr. Billy Legate from Clearwater.

BILLY LEGATE – CLEARWATER HIGH SCHOOL

From 1990 to 1993, Billy was a dominating player for legendary coach Rod Brummels. He led the Cardinals to the playoffs 3 times in his career, including a Class D-2 State Runner-Up finish in 1993. He was a 2-time 1st Team All-Conference and 1st Team All-State selection as both a running back and linebacker. Billy finished his prep career with school records in career rushing yards (3,683), and season yards (1,807) & tackles (232). He also caught a record 79 yard TD reception in the 1993 state playoffs, and was named the Most Valuable Defensive Player of the 1994 Eight Man All-Star Game. From 1995 to 1998, Billy attended the University of Nebraska and played a part on three National Championship Cornhusker teams. As a fullback and special teams ace he appeared in 44 games for the Huskers. Billy set the strength index record for his position, was a 3 time 1st Team Academic All-Big 12, and was also the 1998 recipient of the Admiral U.S. Grant Sharp Trophy in recognition of his unselfish dedication to the team with little or no self acclaim/recognition. The NEMFCA is honored to welcome him into the Eight Man Football Hall of Fame Class of 2019.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Honest to goodness, if there is a tougher man than Billy Legate to play the game of 8-Man football in Nebraska, I’d like to know who it might be? No human in his right state of mind sure as the world wouldn’t tell Billy Legate any differently.

How do you make 232 tackles in one season? Legate did it and loved the game of football enough to go on offense and ramble for 1,807 yards his junior year for super coach Rod Brummels up in Clearwater, then turn around and bolt for 1,693 his senior year on the .

I saw Billy play during the ‘93 playoffs and swore on my drive home he was the toughest kid I’d ever seen play the 8-Man game. It didn’t stop at Clearwater either.

When speaking of Nebraska Cornhusker football “Special Teams Assassins”, three names come to mind; Billy Legate, Ben Eisenhart of Culbertson and Brandon Rigoni of Lincoln NE.

Billy is at the head of the class at Nebraska for living to blow people up on special teams, and the the Huskers scored enough points in those days, Legate had ample opportunities to do what he loved many times over.

Can’t wait to see this guy Saturday in Hastings. I’m currently working on my right arm strength so I can challenge Billy to an arm wrestling contest at mid-field after the halftime ceremonies are completed.

They do have a medical staff on hand there, right?