Troy University Athletics
Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2016
One of the hardest hitters of his time, Rick Maxey was also one of the most feared defensive players in the country.
A four-year starter for Troy, Maxey led the Trojans in tackles as a sophomore and a senior and was voted a permanent team captain during his senior campaign.
“He was very competitive on the football field and was one of the best, if not the best, linebacker in the Gulf South Conference,” his teammate and Troy University Sports Hall of Fame member Perry Griggs said. “He was also one of the fiercest hitters I’ve ever seen, to the point where he would knock himself out and would have to come to the sidelines to get his faculties together before he could go back in.”
A member of the 1974-77 football teams, Maxey helped lead Troy to a 1976 Gulf South Conference championship as the Trojans finished the year 8-1-1 overall and 7-1 in conference play. In addition to leading Troy in tackles as a sophomore, he also recorded 15 sacks that season, a number that still ranks as the fifth most in school history.
What sticks out most about Maxey was his ability to read an opponent and make plays almost as if he was in their huddle.
“He was making all the calls on the defensive side of the ball and knew exactly what to expect from a team,” Griggs said. “He studied film on opponents, but not to the extent that people do these days. He was a very smart guy and was very focused on the field.”
While his on-field demeanor was strictly business, Maxey was known to have a little bit of a lighter side with his teammates off the field.
“During practices he would always make people laugh and ease the tension a little bit,” Griggs said. “Our practices were very, very hard and he was very competitive and tough on the field. But when we were on the sideline and the second or third team guys were on the field, he would take someone’s helmet and hide it or other things like that. He was a joker and did it all in fun.”
His actions on the field spoke for themselves. Maxey recorded 119 tackles during his sophomore season and 93 tackles during his senior season. Maxey’s career numbers still hold the test of time as he ranks ninth all-time in Troy history in total tackles (333), sixth in solo tackles (200) and is tied for sixth in sacks (26).
“Rick was the definition of a team player,” Griggs said. “He was also a great motivator for the team, no matter the situation. If we were winning or losing, he would always be right in the middle of the huddle or the sideline pumping guys up and keeping everyone focused, that was just the kind of guy he was.”
Maxey continued a life in football as he coached Pee Wee Football for 15 years in addition to serving on the Troy Alumni Association Board of Directors and as the Director of Education Policy for the State University System of Florida.
