Illinois State middle linebacker Boomer Grigsby claimed his fifth all-America honor for the 2003 season after being named to Don Hansens Football Gazette Divison I-AA All-America Team Monday.
Grigsby received first team honors, making him a consensus first team all-America in 2003. The Canton, Ill., native was one of five Gateway Football Conference players to receive first team honors. Western Kentucky had three with offensive lineman Buster Ashley, kicker Matt Lange and linebacker Erik Dandy. Western Illinois Mike OBrien rounded out the leagues first team selections.
Grigsby, the most decorated Redbird football player in the history of the program, has been named to seven first team all-America teams the last two seasons.
The two-time Gateway Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year led the league in tackles with 179, which also ranked No. 2 nationally in I-AA football. He also ranked No. 2 nationally in solo tackles after accumulating 109 in 2003. Grigsby tallied 110 tackles against Gateway opponents with double-digit tackles in each game.
Grigsbys 179 tackles also set the standard for Redbird juniors, giving him the freshman and junior single-season tackle records at Illinois State. He has 451 tackles through three seasons and became only the fourth Redbird in the history of the program to amass 400 tackles in a career. Grigsby is also 129 tackles away from passing current assistant coach Galen Scotts school record of 579 career tackles.
The Illinois State football program has produced at least one all-American player in 18 of its last 22 seasons. Over the last six seasons, the Redbirds have had 21 players honored from 10 different positions.
