Troy University Athletics
Hall of Fame
Virgil Seay
- Induction:
- 2015
One of the most dynamic players in Troy history, Virgil Seay parleyed an outstanding collegiate career into a pair of Super Bowl appearances with the Washington Redskins.
Seay was a member of Troy’s 1978 and 1979 Gulf South Conference teams that finished 9-3 combined in league play. Seay put his mark on the Troy history book when he returned three punts for touchdowns against West Alabama in 1979. The same night, he also set a Troy single-game record with 215 punt return yards; both records still stand.
Seay was dangerous as a wide receiver but even more so as a kick and punt returner. He holds the Troy career record as he averaged 16.7 yards per punt return over his two-year career. The native of Moultrie, Ga., returned 47 punts for 783 yards and five touchdowns for the Trojans. His five touchdowns are the second most in Troy history, behind only Leodis McKelvin’s seven punt return touchdowns.
Teammate and fellow Troy University Sports Hall of Fame member Willie Tullis remembers the explosive type of player Seay was during their time as Trojans.
“Virgil was the fastest receiver we had. He was a very intelligent football player and a great teammate,” Tullis said. “Virgil was full speed on his second step, it didn’t take him 10 or 20 yards. Virgil was top speed on the second step; he was like a jet. His best route was the ‘go’ route and as a quarterback, I loved it. I could just let it go and Virgil would run it down.”
Seay ranks fourth all-time in punt return yards at Troy, despite ranking eighth in punt return attempts. He finished second nationally in 1979 when he averaged 18.3 yards per punt return, a mark that still ranks as the third highest in Troy history. Seay returned three punts for a touchdown that season, which is tied with McKelvin and Troy University Sports Hall of Fame member Perry Griggs for the school record. A talented receiver as well for the Trojans, Seay is ninth all-time with his 19.7 yards-per-catch average.
Aside from being a standout athlete, Seay was a standout student and teammate.
“People gravitated towards Virgil. He fit in very well at the university and had a great personality,” Tullis said. “He always had people laughing, he kept things loose. That’s one of the things that everyone noticed. Virgil got along with everyone on campus, not just his teammates.”
After being drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 1980 NFL Draft, Seay played 49 of his 52 career games for the Washington Redskins. He played in a pair of Super Bowls – 1982 and 1983 – before being traded to the Falcons in 1984 where he played three games for the team. Seay caught 43 passes as a professional for 792 yards and five touchdowns.
Seay was a member of The Fun Bunch, the nickname given to the wide receivers and tight ends of the Redskins. The group that included Seay, Art Monk, Charlie Brown, Alvin Garrett, Rick Walker and Don Warren were known for their choreographed celebrations following touchdowns resulting in the NFL putting a league-wide ban on excessive celebrations in 1984.
At 5-foot-8, Seay, was known as Papa Smurf as a member of The Fun Bunch’s sub-group, the Smurfs.
“It didn’t surprise me at all, the success he had. He was a hard worker and took it seriously. You really don’t know what to expect as far as playing professional football and Virgil took it in stride just like he did everything else,” Tullis said. “He helped my career a lot and made everyone around him better.”
Seay founded and manages the Virgil Seay Sports and Activities Summer Camp.
Seay was a member of Troy’s 1978 and 1979 Gulf South Conference teams that finished 9-3 combined in league play. Seay put his mark on the Troy history book when he returned three punts for touchdowns against West Alabama in 1979. The same night, he also set a Troy single-game record with 215 punt return yards; both records still stand.
Seay was dangerous as a wide receiver but even more so as a kick and punt returner. He holds the Troy career record as he averaged 16.7 yards per punt return over his two-year career. The native of Moultrie, Ga., returned 47 punts for 783 yards and five touchdowns for the Trojans. His five touchdowns are the second most in Troy history, behind only Leodis McKelvin’s seven punt return touchdowns.
Teammate and fellow Troy University Sports Hall of Fame member Willie Tullis remembers the explosive type of player Seay was during their time as Trojans.
“Virgil was the fastest receiver we had. He was a very intelligent football player and a great teammate,” Tullis said. “Virgil was full speed on his second step, it didn’t take him 10 or 20 yards. Virgil was top speed on the second step; he was like a jet. His best route was the ‘go’ route and as a quarterback, I loved it. I could just let it go and Virgil would run it down.”
Seay ranks fourth all-time in punt return yards at Troy, despite ranking eighth in punt return attempts. He finished second nationally in 1979 when he averaged 18.3 yards per punt return, a mark that still ranks as the third highest in Troy history. Seay returned three punts for a touchdown that season, which is tied with McKelvin and Troy University Sports Hall of Fame member Perry Griggs for the school record. A talented receiver as well for the Trojans, Seay is ninth all-time with his 19.7 yards-per-catch average.
Aside from being a standout athlete, Seay was a standout student and teammate.
“People gravitated towards Virgil. He fit in very well at the university and had a great personality,” Tullis said. “He always had people laughing, he kept things loose. That’s one of the things that everyone noticed. Virgil got along with everyone on campus, not just his teammates.”
After being drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 1980 NFL Draft, Seay played 49 of his 52 career games for the Washington Redskins. He played in a pair of Super Bowls – 1982 and 1983 – before being traded to the Falcons in 1984 where he played three games for the team. Seay caught 43 passes as a professional for 792 yards and five touchdowns.
Seay was a member of The Fun Bunch, the nickname given to the wide receivers and tight ends of the Redskins. The group that included Seay, Art Monk, Charlie Brown, Alvin Garrett, Rick Walker and Don Warren were known for their choreographed celebrations following touchdowns resulting in the NFL putting a league-wide ban on excessive celebrations in 1984.
At 5-foot-8, Seay, was known as Papa Smurf as a member of The Fun Bunch’s sub-group, the Smurfs.
“It didn’t surprise me at all, the success he had. He was a hard worker and took it seriously. You really don’t know what to expect as far as playing professional football and Virgil took it in stride just like he did everything else,” Tullis said. “He helped my career a lot and made everyone around him better.”
Seay founded and manages the Virgil Seay Sports and Activities Summer Camp.
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