Former NFL star O.J. Anderson visits Pope John's

BY GEORGE LEROY HUNTER
Sparta — Retired professional football player Ottis Jerome "O.J." Anderson made an appearance in Sparta on Saturday, November 19.
Pope John XXIII Regional High School hosted their annual Beefsteak Event fundraiser to benefit numerous school programs and Anderson who played for fourteen seasons in the National Football League was the guest speaker. He was a running back for the Saint Louis Cardinals and the New York Giants during the course of his career.
The Pope John Booster Club planned and supervised the Beefsteak Event. The Booster Club is a volunteer parent organization. In cooperation with the schools administration, drama club, robotics team and athletic department, the Booster Club supports after school programs. The primary mission of the Booster Club is to raise funds to help offset costs where needed and to award Spirit Award Scholarships.
Anderson was born and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida. In high school he was a star athlete in football and track & field. After graduating from Forest Hill High School he attended the University of Miami on a full athletic scholarship and earned a degree in Physical Education. While playing college football Anderson was recognized as a superb running back and garnered accolades from many sports related publications and organizations.
Upon graduating from the University of Miami Anderson was selected in the first round of the 1979 NFL Draft, the 8th overall pick, by the Saint Louis Cardinals. Anderson rushed for 1,605 yards in his debut season and was selected for the National Football League Rookie of the Year Award. Standing 6 ft 2 in tall and weighing 220 pounds Anderson's combination of speed and power punished opposing defenses on the field. In his prime O.J. Anderson was considered one of pro football's premier running backs.
Eventually time took its toll on Anderson's body. Injuries slowed his pace. The Saint Louis Cardinals traded Anderson to the New York Giants in 1986. Despite being in what some football fans would consider the twilight of his career Anderson was about to embark on a successful second act. Anderson was used primarily in short yardage situations which became his specialty. In the first season with his new team Anderson did not get much playing time but did manage to score one rushing touchdown in the Giants' victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI.
In 1989, Anderson completed one of the most productive seasons of his career and was selected the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He scored a career high 14 rushing touchdowns, and rushed for 1,023 yards on 325 carries. In 1990 Anderson continued to compete in fine form. Anderson contributed to the Giants when they won Super Bowl XXV in 1991, and was named Super Bowl MVP for his 102 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.
O.J. Anderson retired from professional football in 1992. Since then Anderson has forged a career as a motivational speaker and has also been busy in various business ventures.
The Booster Club sold 320 tickets for the Beefsteak Event. Pope John faculty, parents, students and athletes past and present attended. They listened to O.J. Anderson speak about his life, career in football and the lessons he has learned along the way. Anderson also graciously posed for photographs and signed his signature on memorabilia.
A live auction was conducted after Anderson spoke. Auction items were supplied by local business entities and individuals. The Wilson Family and First Hope Bank were the main sponsors.
Heaven Hill Farm of Vernon, Mountain Creek Resort of Vernon, Skylands Ice World of Stockholm, and Andrea's Ristorante Italiano of Waldwick were among the many businesses that contributed auction items.
Dinner was catered by The Brownstone of Paterson.