E.J. Holub, a 1986 College Football Hall of Fame inductee from Texas Tech, passed away Saturday (Sept. 21) at the age of 81. 

Nicknamed "The Beast" throughout his playing career at both Lubbock High School and Texas Tech, Holub was a two-way player under head coach DeWitt Weaver from 1958-60 when the Red Raiders were transitioning from the Border Conference to the Southwest Conference.
 
Holub garnered First Team All-America accolades at center in both 1959 and 1960, becoming the first Red Raider in school history to earn the honor twice in a career. In fact, his career consisted of several firsts as he was Tech's first consensus All-American as a senior in 1960 as well as the school's first selection to the All-SWC team that same year.
 
Holub finished 10th in the Heisman Trophy voting as a senior, capping a memorable collegiate career that led to his induction in the National Football Foundation's College Football Hall of Fame in 1986. He was previously enshrined in the Texas Tech Hall of Fame in 1977 and later joined the charter class into the Texas tech Ring of Honor in 2012.

During his stellar 1960 season, he was named by Sports Illustrated as Lineman of the Week following a performance against Baylor that saw him make 15 unassisted tackles and assist on eight others. That same year, against Arkansas, the 6-4, 215-pound Holub had 18 unassisted tackles, assisted on 10 others and came up with an interception he ran 40 yards for a touchdown. Against Tulane the same year, Holub intercepted a pass and ran 28 yards to score.

The city of Lubbock celebrated "E.J. Holub Day" following his last college game.
 
Holub went on to be selected sixth overall by the Dallas Texans in the 1961 AFL Draft and in the second round of the NFL Draft that same year by the Dallas Cowboys. He later signed with the Texans, beginning a successful 10-year professional career that included a pair of Super Bowl appearances.
 
Holub played two seasons for the Texans before the organization transitioned to Kansas City and became the Chiefs ahead of the 1963 season. The Chiefs later went on to play in Super Bowl I in 1967 where Holub, playing as a linebacker, fell to another eventual College Football Hall of Famer and Texas Tech Ring of Honor member in Donny Anderson and the Green Bay Packers.
 
Various knee injuries throughout his career forced Holub, a five-time AFL All-Star, to return to the offensive side of the ball late in his career as the Chiefs' center and deep snapper. He capped his career in 1970 by helping lead the Chiefs to Super Bowl IV where Kansas City prevailed this time, topping the Minnesota Vikings, 23-7.
 
To this date, Holub remains the only player in history to start two Super Bowls at two different positions. He retired from football following one final knee injury early in training camp in 1971.
 
Following his playing career, Holub gave back to his alma mater by helping raise funds for student-athlete scholarships as a member of the Red Raider Club. Holub remained close to the football program, too, as he is famously remembered for an inspiring halftime speech during the 1999 season finale against Oklahoma.
 
The Red Raiders charged out of the Jones AT&T Stadium locker room following Holub's speech to rally for a 38-28 victory over the Sooners in the final game under head coach Spike Dykes. Holub helped carry Dykes off the field that day, a lasting image that remains one of the most iconic scenes in school history.
 
Funeral processions are pending at this time.