Michigan State Football: Top 50 players of all time

Jan 1, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks manager and Michigan State Spartans alumnus Kirk Gibson (left) and wife JoAnn Sklarski attend the 100th Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

16. Kirk Gibson

Known more for his home run in the 1988 World Series when he played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and knocked one out of the park in his only plate appearance during the series to win Game 1. He was hobbled by a pulled hamstring and knee injury which prevented him from playing further, but that might be the most iconic homer in baseball history.

Before that, he was one of the best receivers in Michigan State football history. Gibson had a few successful seasons on the gridiron for Michigan State, but his best came in 1978 when he was named an All-American and caught 42 passes for 806 yards and seven touchdowns.

Twice during his career, in 1976 and 1978, he finished with the most receiving yards in the Big Ten and in 1977 he had the second-most yards per reception in the entire country. He was a hard-nosed, aggressive receiver who was a blocking master and would make the run games of today look phenomenal with his impressive downfield blocking skills.

Gibson is Michigan State’s all-time leader in yards per reception, with 20.96, and he finished his career with 112 catches for 2,347 yards and 24 touchdowns — near the top of the leaderboard in all three categories.

Next: 15. Dan Bass