Q&A with Newest NU Hall of Famer Grant Wistrom

Wistrom Named to College Football Hall of Fame

On Dec. 8, 2009, Nebraska will celebrate the induction of former defensive end Grant Wistrom into the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. While getting ready for his trip to New York for the induction, Wistrom took a few minutes to answer some questions for the Touchdown Club Newsletter.

What was your initial thought upon learning that you would be inducted into the Hall of Fame?
"My initial thought about hearing about my induction was that my brothers were messing with me. I was sitting there with my insurance agent and my wife unwrapped a box that had a football in it that said, 'Congratulations on your induction into the 2009 Class of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame.' Before I started celebrating, I had to call Chris Anderson to make sure it was legitimate, because I really thought my brothers Chance and Tracey were jerking with me. It's a dream come true, but I know it's not just an honor given to me, it is more a salute to the great teams I was a part of. Without being a part of three national championship teams, there is no way I would ever be inducted."

What will your induction trip to New York entail?
"Other than the reception with the Nebraska contingent before dinner, the press requirements and the induction banquet on Tuesday, there's going to be a lot of shopping involved. My wife, Melissa, has never been to New York and is very, very anxious to see what the city has to offer, particularly in the textile shopping district. I'm really looking forward to spending time with her and giving her the opportunity to let her do something she has always wanted to do. It will be a special time to share that with her."

What's been the most exciting thing you've gotten to do as a football player?
"Winning three national championships was a good start, then to actually win the Super Bowl was pretty incredible also. After winning the three national championships, I got to speak at the White House and shake President Clinton's hand. I'm not a democrat but it was still pretty cool. After the Super Bowl win I was invited to judge the Miss USA Pageant, and that was fun too."

How would you describe your time as a Husker?
"I would describe my time as a Husker as four of the best years of my life. The only thing that made the NFL better was the paycheck. Other than that I would have traded every NFL experience for college any day."

What is your favorite memory as a Husker?
"My favorite memory as a Husker happened my junior year when we played Colorado at home, so it was the last regular season game. I wasn't sure at the time if I was coming back for my senior year, so I just really tried to soak it all in and make sure I appreciated everything about it, the atmosphere and the fans."

Who was your biggest influence as a football player?
"Probably my parents. I never missed a practice because they couldn't get me there - more often than not I wouldn't want to go, but they were the type of people that once, you started something, you finished it, and dang it, I was going to be at every practice and every game. They would say, ‘If you are going to do this, you are going to do this to the best of your ability and not quit until the job is done.' So they are my two biggest influences as a football player."

Have you visited New York before? If so, what was your favorite thing to do there? If not, what do you hope to do while there?
"I have been to New York. My favorite thing to do there was to hang out with Jason Peter."

What are you doing now?
"I own a real estate agency, Prudential Realty, in Grand Lake, Okla. We also own part of a gym in Springfield, Mo., where we live, called CrossFit-Springfield. My wife and I work there as trainers, and are also very active in the Grant Wistrom Foundation. We are also blessed to have two young children - our son, Wyatt, and daughter, Charlie."