Description
Chris Farasopoulos is an American Football player, Brigham Young alumnus and Business Executive.
After being titled "The Galloping Greek" by the Daily Breeze newspaper while playing for North Torrance High School, Farasopoulos turned down a professional baseball contract with the Baltimore Orioles, choosing instead to accept a full and guaranteed football scholarship from Brigham Young University.
In kind with the social and ethnic tensions of the late 1960s, there was some controversy regarding Farasopoulos' decision to refuse the contract offer when it became known that he had also been asked to abbreviate his typically long Greek last name. He is remembered for having said, "It is what it is."
Best known for his agility and speed at BYU, Farasopoulos played defensive back as well as punt and kickoff return. In 1968 he set a Western Athletic Conference record for average yards returned per kickoff at 27.2, a record that stood until Chad Owens' 29.4 average yards per return years later.
After selecting John Riggins and John Mooring in the first and second rounds of the 1971 NFL Draft, the New York Jets chose Farasopoulos in the third round with the 58th pick overall.
Born
July 20th, 1949 in Piraeus (Age 75)
Last Changes
2024/07/03
New Response (Success): Sent a trading card. Received my card back signed
2024/07/03
New Scanned Autograph (TTM/Probably Authentic)
2023/03/17
New Response (Success): Received signed and personalized football card.