Wisconsin Football Countdown: No. 85, David Gilreath
By Jim Oxley
As the countdown to the first Wisconsin football game of the season continues, Badger of Honor is taking a look at Badgers by the numbers, checking in on a different Badger or Badgers players who wore the number corresponding with the remaining days until the Badgers head to Texas to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide Saturday, Sept. 5.
Next up in our countdown, signifying 85 days until college football is back, is David Gilreath.
At UW from 2007-2010, Gilreath played in 50 games as a Badger. He finished his career with 67 receptions for 1,077 yards, and amassed more than 3,000 kick return yards on 135 career attempts.
97 of those yards came on one of the most memorable Wisconsin football plays in recent years.
The No. 18 Badgers welcomed the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes to town in October of 2010, and Gilreath started things off with a bang, as Matt LePay so eloquently put it.
The Badgers, fueled by the big special teams play to open the game, went on to take down the top-ranked Buckeyes 31-18, causing the fans in attendance, including yours truly, to hit the field.
Fans storm the field at Camp Randall following Wisconsin’s 31-18 win over No. 1 Ohio State October 16, 2010. Jim Oxley photo
It was an electric atmosphere, and to this day stands as one of the most exciting moments I have witnessed on a football field at any level.
Following his college career, Gilreath was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Indianapolis Colts, and bias since bounced around the NFL, spending time with the St. Louis Rams, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Oakland Raiders. He is currently on the roster for the Seattle Seahawks.
He has yet to catch a pass outside of preseason action, and has one career rush for 7 yards.
First to wear No. 85
• Halfback Roy Bellin first wore No. 85 for the Badgers in 1937.
Who wears No. 85 now?
• Sophomore wide receiver Krenwick Sanders currently dons No. 85 for the Badgers.
Stay tuned to Badger of Honor as we continue our daily countdown in preparation of the season opener against Alabama.