Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame
There aren’t too many defensive tackles who can run a 4.6 in the 40 yard dash and bench-press 400 lbs. Though David Maddux had great strength and speed for a defensive lineman, what made him truly great was the effort and determination he displayed on every play. As Rhodes head football coach Mike Clary remarked, “David never took a play off. He was very talented, but even more relentless.”
David was an outstanding athlete at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville. After enduring an injury-filled freshman year, he became a force his sophomore year. As a junior in 1985, he led the defense with nine sacks and as a senior, was the leading tackler on the team with 112. David was selected All College Athletic Conference (CAC) as a sophomore, junior and senior. In 1985 and 1986 he was named to the National Strength and Conditioning and Pizza Hut All American teams. In 1986 David was the first recipient of the J. Hal Daughdrill Award, which recognizes the Most Valuable Player on the Rhodes football team.
Opposing offensive coaches had a real dilemma when they faced the Lynx and David Maddux. Were their opportunities for success better if they ran directly at David, or if they attempted to run wide and away from him? By David’s junior year, when he helped Rhodes earn a nationally ranked defense and an 8-1-1 record, there was no place to go for Lynx opponents. David’s strength made it impossible to run inside right at him, and his speed allowed him to chase running backs down for “no gain” on the opposite side of the field.
David was a four-year lettermen and All CAC selection in track and field in the shot put and discus. He also ran the 100 meters in 11.5, which was an amazing time for an athlete of his size.
In recognition of the passion and level of intensity David displayed on the gridiron, Rhodes is honored to induct DAVID TANDY MADDUX into the Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame this 21st day of October, 2011.
