National Football Foundation

A four-year performer under College Football Hall of Fame coach Tom Osborne at Nebraska, fullback Joel Makovicka led the Cornhuskers to a 45-6 record, two conference titles and two national championships. A member of the Sports Illustrated All-Walk-On Team in 1997, he holds school records for touchdowns scored by a fullback in a game (3) and a season (9). Elected a team captain for the 1998 team, Makovicka was selected to play in the Senior Bowl. He finished his career with 247 carries for 1,458 yards and 13 touchdowns. Following his senior season, he received the prestigious Guy Chamberlin Trophy, presented to the senior player who has shown by the play and contributions to the betterment of the University of Nebraska football squad that he has the qualities and dedication of Guy Chamberlin, a Nebraska Hall of Famer. A two-time Academic All-American and three-time Academic All-Big 12 selection, Makovicka compiled a 3.8 GPA in biological sciences and received the Big 12 Champion Award.

Makovicka was selected in the fourth round (116^th overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals and played four seasons with the Cardinals from 1999-2002. Serving as the primary starter from 1999-2001, he caught 47 passes for 264 yards and five touchdowns along with 17 carries for 88 yards. Following his retirement, Makovicka served as a graduate assistant at the University of Virginia, where he realized he wanted to pursue a career in physical therapy. He earned his Doctorate of physical therapy from Creighton University (Neb.) and is currently the president of Makovicka Physical Therapy in Omaha, Neb.