Former McNeese Football great Kerry Joseph inducted into Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – Earlier Saturday morning former McNeese Quarterback Kerry Joseph was officially inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame alongside eight other athletes.

Joseph and the rest of the class had an introduction day on Thursday, along with the presentation of their Hall of Fame Jacket. During Joseph’s speech during the introduction day he touched on his determination and drive to be great.

“I just kept pushing myself and kept being determined, persevering, and whatever life threw at me, I was able to overcome. I was just able to find a way,” said Joseph. “It goes back to the way mom and dad raised us, when I really think about that journey, I think about as an 11-year-old kid being on the basketball court and my dad just pushing me to the point where I walked off the court crying, mom wasn’t very happy about that, but what he was doing was building that perseverance and that character.”

Joseph as a Cowboy finished his career as the all-time leader in passing and total yards, and then during his professional career as both an NFL and CFL player, he made a major impact. He first played with the Cincinnati Bengals as a quarterback, a slot receiver, a running back, and then he spent four years with the Seattle Seahawks as a safety.

After his formal induction, Joseph caught up with the media and explained just how emotional of a moment it was for him.

“I got a little teary-eyed, just thinking about the accomplishment, thought about my dad not being here to experience it with us, but it was an emotional moment because you put in the work, you don’t think about these types of accolades, you just think about winning, when you realize the hard work that you’ve put into it, the sacrifices that you have made, you’ll appreciate being recognized and being part of a great family of hall of famers in Louisiana that have come before,” said Joseph. “I mean with this accomplishment, I have a lot of people that come in the hall of fame with me, from family, friends, teammates, coaches, everybody.”

Kerry joins the Hall of Fame with the likes of New Orleans Saints and Super Bowl-winning quarterback Drew Brees, LSU and WNBA standout and Olympic Gold Medal winner Seimone Augustus, UFC champion Daniel Cormier, high school coaching legend Frank Monica; LSU and Olympic wrestler Kevin Jackson; horse racing jockey champion Ray Sibille, Grambling baseball coaching legend Wilbert Ellis, Tulane basketball coaching great Perry Clark, and award-winning Louisiana sports writers Bobby Ardoin and Ron Higgins.

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