About 50 years later, three Northwestern football players have received long-delayed letterman jackets.
Coach David Braun presented the honors during Homecoming weekend earlier this month.
Offensive tackle Walt Versen called it an emotional moment when the widow of teammate Doug Houck accepted the letter, which for some unknown reason had been taken away from him.
Paul Korzilius spoke to WBBM from Vancouver and said while he couldn’t make it back to Evanston for the small private ceremony, it was important to be honored.
“You’re never forgotten. You’re always remembered. You’re seen. Very important”, he said.
Fellow Wildcat Tony Ardizzone accepted on behalf of Korzilius.
Versen learned of the omissions while doing research for a documentary about Wildcat players who worked as security guards in the late 70’s and early 80’s for the rock band Queen.
They not only protected the band during their world tours but appeared on stage carrying Freddie Mercury on their shoulders.
Versen explains the unusual relationship with the wildly popular musicians, “You had to be sharp to be around them. And I think the unique combination of being a Northwestern football player… of intellect, brawn and control. That made it ideal for us to be able to work with a band like that”.
The movie, Play the Game: A Jock 'N Roll Story, is directed by another Northwestern alum and is slated to be released in the spring.