Fred Wyant

Frederick Mount "Fred" Wyant, Jr. (born April 26, 1934 in Weston, West Virginia) is a former American football quarterback who went on to serve as an American football official in the National Football League (NFL) for 27 years with 19 of those years as a referee. He wore the uniform number 11 both as a quarterback and as an NFL official.

Early life

Wyant was a three-sport star in football, baseball and basketball for Weston High School in Weston, West Virginia and later attended West Virginia University (WVU) from 1952 to 1955, where he became one of the greatest quarterbacks in Mountaineer history. He ranks among the WVU career top ten in total offense (3,426), passing yardage (2,663), pass attempts (401), and touchdown passes (20). Wyant's record as a starter was 30-4 and led the Mountaineers to the 1954 Sugar Bowl. In addition to playing football at WVU, Wyant participated in one successful season of baseball, batting a percetange of .406. During his career at WVU, Wyant was also a three time Academic All-American.

Professional career

Wyant would later have a career in the NFL as he was drafted in the third round (36th overall pick) of the 1956 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. He played one season for the Redskins, becoming a member of the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL) the following year where he played one season.

Years as an Official

Following his playing days, Wyant worked as a high school and small college football official for three years, then as a major college football official for five years, before becoming an official in the NFL.

Wyant is notable for his perspective of the NFL as oulined in Rene A. Henry's book, "Offsides." Wyant was the referee in the 1981 AFC divisional playoff game between Miami and San Diego, a game won by the Chargers, 41-38 in overtime. This game would become known in NFL lore as "The Epic in Miami".

Wyant and his wife Dolores, reside in Morgantown, West Virginia. They have three children and three grandchildren.

Honors

• West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame

Books

• Offsides! - Fred Wyant's Provocative Look Inside the National Football League Rene A Henry, Xlibris, ISBN 0-7388-0973-X

External links

• WVU Sports Hall of Fame

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