Hall of Fame
Position: Defensive End
Years: 1979-1981
Place of Birth: Birmingham, AL
Date of Birth: Dec. 27, 1959
Jersey Number: 99
Height: 6-3
Weight: 231
High School: Barringer HS (Newark, NJ)
A terror to offensive backfields, Andre Tippett guided Iowa to its first Big Ten title in over two decades. The Newark, New Jersey, native becomes the 10th Hawkeye player elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.
A consensus First Team All-American in 1981, Tippett led Iowa to a share of the Big Ten title and a berth in the 1982 Rose Bowl, the program's first appearance in the game since 1958. The two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection (1980 and 1981) led the conference with 20 tackles for loss during his junior season.
A senior team captain, Tippett holds the Iowa single-season record for tackles for loss yardage with 153 yards on 20 TFL in 1980. Part of the Hawkeyes' initial success under College Football Hall of Fame Coach Hayden Fry, he helped the 1981 team finish with a No. 18 ranking and an 8-4 record, ending a streak of 20 consecutive losing seasons. A member of Iowa's All-Time Team, Tippett was also elected to the National Iowa Varsity Club Hall of Fame.
A second-round selection in the 1982 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, Tippett played his entire pro career with the franchise from 1982-93. The five-time Pro Bowler and 1985 NFL Defensive Player of the Year is the Patriots' all-time sacks leader and guided the team to an appearance in Super Bowl XX. Tippett is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the New England Patriots Hall of Fame.
A Pop Warner football coach for seven years, Tippett also served on the organization's board of directors. A certified sixth degree black belt in Uechi-ryu karate, he has studied martial arts for over three decades. Involved in community outreach throughout the Massachusetts region since his NFL career began, Tippett currently serves as the executive director of community affairs for the New England Patriots.
