Captains Selected For 1999 Football Cards
July 20, 2000 | Football
August 31, 1999
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville head football coach, John L. Smith, announced today the selection of four players to serve as captains for the 1999 Cardinals. The four were selected in a vote by their peers last week.
The quartet consists of senior quarterback Chris Redman, senior defensive tackle Mike Gantous, senior offensive tackle Anthony Byrd and junior linebacker Rashad Harris.
"All four of these young men have proven to be leaders over the past year and it was obvious to their teammates that they be the leaders of our football team," said Smith who begins his second season at U of L. "The three seniors have been through the wars and Rashad is a mature leader despite being just a junior."
Redman and Gantous served as captains a season ago when U of L advanced to their first postseason bowl since 1993.
On offense, Redman enters his senior season as one of the nation's premier players. A three-year starter, he already owns virtually every U of L single game, single and career passing record.
Byrd, like Redman, is a three-year starter and will be a mainstay on the offensive line for the fourth consecutive season. The Bedford Heights, Ohio native started all 12 games a year ago at weakside tackle and was part of the unit which allowed just 18 sacks in 533 passing opportunities.
Defensively, Gantous should earn his fourth consecutive letter along the defensive line as he enters his second season as a captain. The Shaker Heights, Ohio native earned second team all-Conference USA honors a season ago.
Harris has played in all 25 games over the past two seasons and finished second on the club in tackles in 1998. The Huntsville, Ala. native started all 12 games at linebacker a year ago and was a significant contributor as a freshman in 1997.
The four will lead U of L into battle for the first time this Saturday as the Cardinals travel to Lexington to take on in-state rival Kentucky.
