Terry Beasley, the 2002 College Football Hall of Fame inductee who starred at Auburn from 1969-71 as a wide receiver, passed away Jan. 31 at his home in Moody, AL. He was 73.

"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Terry Beasley," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "Terry thrilled us all during his time at Auburn, teaming with Pat Sullivan to make seemly impossible catches. His incredible speed and unparalleled tenacity created the perfect combination, allowing him to set multiple records that still stand a half century later in the Tiger record books. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and all the Tiger fans at this time of loss."

A unanimous All-America selection in 1971, Terry Beasley was one half of one of college football's greatest pass combinations, becoming the primary target for quarterback Pat Sullivan, who claimed the 1971 Heisman Trophy. That season Beasley finished eighth in the Heisman voting as he caught 55 Sullivan spirals, with an even dozen going for touchdowns. That fall the Auburn campus was flooded with "Super Sully and Terry Terrific" bumper stickers. The Tigers contended for the national championship in 1971, winning the first nine games of the season before losing to equally undefeated Alabama in the final game of the regular season.

"He was way ahead of his time," recalled Sullivan at the time of Beasley's induction. "He was as fast as anyone playing the game. But the thing that really set him apart was that he was awfully, awfully, strong."
 
While Beasley is best remembered for his 1971 senior season, he amassed more yardage as a junior for Hall of Fame Coach Shug Jordan, gaining 1,051 yards, a total that exceeded his senior total by over 200 yards. His 20.2 yards per catch average as a junior tied an NCAA record. As a junior, he won the first of two consecutive All-SEC honors and was recognized nationally as a Second Team All-America. His career average of 17.8 yards per catch and his per-game average of 83.9 yards receiving were SEC records.

Beasley still holds Auburn's record for consecutive games with a touchdown catch (8), 100-yard receiving games in a season (6) and a career (12). He held the program's career receptions record with 141 for 27 seasons until Karsten Bailey broke it in 1998. On his career, he caught 141 career passes for 2,507 yards and 29 receiving touchdowns.

Beasley was a first round draft choice in 1972 of the San Francisco 49ers, where he played before injuries forced his retirement in 1975.

Beasley's famous No. 88 is one of three retired Auburn jerseys, along with fellow College Football Hall of Fame inductees Pat Sullivan's No. 7, and Bo Jackson's No. 34.

Born Feb. 5, 1950, in Montgomery, AL, Beasley attended Robert E. Lee High School.