Eight Man Football Coaches Association 2019 Hall of Fame Inductee-Joel Makovicka - East Butler High School

We spotlight our 5th player to be inducted into the Eight Man Coaches Football Association Hall of Fame, Mr. Joel Makovicka of East Butler High School. More on Joel below his bio.

JOEL MAKOVICKA – EAST BUTLER HIGH SCHOOL

In high school, Joel was an outstanding player for the Tigers and was selected 1st Team All-Area and 1st Team All-State multiple times as a both a running back and linebacker. He finished his prep career with 3,933 rushing yards and school records in both season and career tackles (396). He was selected to play in the 1994 Shrine Bowl, and was named the Most Valuable Offensive Player of the Eight Man All-Star Game that same year. From 1995 to 1998, Joel went to the University of Nebraska and became a key member of three National Championship Teams. In the process, he also became one of the most decorated fullbacks in team history and owns position records for touchdowns in a game, season, and career. He was a 2 time 1st Team Academic All-American, a 3 time 1st Team Academic All-Big 12, and was named team captain in 1998. Joel finished his Husker career with 1,447 yards rushing and was later selected to the Nebraska Football All Century Team. In 1999, he was drafted by the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals where he played for 4 seasons. The NEMFCA is honored to welcome him into the Eight Man Football Hall of Fame Class of 2019.

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All I can say is you would not have wanted to play East Butler from 1989 through 1993. Either Jeff or Joel Makovicka were prowling the football field there in Dwight and were not there as part of a Butler County Welcoming Committee.

Good thing Jeff and Joel were only on the field in 1990, although the Tigers won a D-1 championship the previous year.

Joel Makovicka was a model of consistency as a running back for East Butler, rushing for 1,588 yards his junior season and 1,488 his senior campaign. Joel continued that success for the Huskers as you can see reading his bio.

During his illustrious career at East Butler, Joel Makovicka was a terror on defense, logging those 396 tackles but when you add in those 8 career interceptions, 6 recovered fumbles and over a 1000 Excedrin headaches caused by tackles or crunching blocks, it’s a small wonder Joel was a worthy all-state selection on either side of the ball.

And what is Joel Makovicka doing to these days? Following in his father’s footsteps, he operates Makovicka Physical Therapy where he fixes all those bumps, bruises, strains, pulls and Excedrin headaches similar to the ones he delivered to opponents during his high school playing days.

See, Joel Makovicka really is a nice guy, contrary to what you may have been thinking after one of those jarring tackles back in ‘90s.