Team Captain and Marine Sargeant Ahmard Hall was a walk-on

When the 2005 team visited the White House, President Bush praised Ahmard Hall, a Marine who served in Afghanistan and Kosovo before playing for Texas.

Ahmard Hall always held on to his dream of playing college football.

When Ahmard left active duty in 2003, he attended The University of Texas on the GI Bill where he walked onto the Longhorns football team. Mack Brown (former Texas head coach), expressed the Longhorns’ excitement to have Ahmard on the squad:

"He epitomizes everything you want in a student-athlete. Ahmard is a great leader, hard-working and determined teammate, a dedicated father and husband and a guy who proudly serves our country. He's certainly a person we are extremely honored to have in our football program and at our (qtd. in Ahmard Hall named Big 12 Sportsperson of the Year) 

Ahmard worked his way from his walk-on status to a starting position by his senior year on the 2005 national championship team. What’s more—that season he was awarded the Big 12 Male Sportsperson of the Year award for his sportsmanship and community service. Ahmard organized a care package drive for veterans. He attributes the success of his re-energized football career to the discipline and toughness he acquired through his experience as a Marine. 

11.21.2017 | Football

Catching up with Ahmard Hall

Hall took part in the University’s efforts on Veterans Day to recognize those who have served.

• By James Rodriguez
  
  "I always had a passion for Texas football," Hall said. "I just saw Coach Brown building something great. Cedric Benson came in, Roy Williams was here, Cory Redding was here at the time, and I'd just seen him building something great. I felt like if I was going to accomplish my goals and do it the best, I could come here and get that done."
  
  "It was hard," Hall said. "You're used to a certain lifestyle in the military. You're used to rank, structure and the civilian world is a lot different than the military world. You have a whole different lifestyle, whole different set of rules. It was a crazy experience, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I had a great time, I'm still friends with a lot of the guys I played with and we accomplished something great here."
  
  "Number one, my mental toughness was a lot more intense after the military," Hall said. "I felt like after I served in the military I could accomplish anything. I was pretty mentally tough when I went in, but I don't know if I would've been able to endure everything I endured if I hadn't had that experience in the Marine Corps."
  
  Hall began his senior year as the starting fullback on a team that would cement its place in history books after winning the national championship. Hall left the University with more than a championship ring in the way of accolades. In 2005, the Big 12 recognized him the Big 12 Male Sportsperson of the Year for his sportsmanship and community service, including a care package drive for veterans.
  
  

UT honored Hall with the inaugural Pat Tillman Award at the 2004 football banquet.