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John Wade
Class of 1993 Athlete John Wade’s 12 year career in the National Football League had its beginnings as the center on the Blue Streak football teams of 1990, 1991 and 1992. During his senior year he won All-District and All-Regional honors and was named 2nd Team All-State. John was also the starting catcher for the Blue Streak baseball  team that was state runner-up in 1992. After graduation from HHS, John accepted a football scholarship to Marshall University, where he excelled as the starting center, earning all-conference honors. The 1996 Marshall team went 15-0 and won the Division I-AA National Championship. The next year Marshall moved up to Division I-A, won the Mid-American Conference Championship and played in the Motor City Bowl. For his outstanding play, John was invited to play in the Hula Bowl, Blue/Gray and East/West Shrine games and played in the senior bowl. He was drafted in the 5th round of the 1998 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he played for five seasons. In 2002, he moved on to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he also played for five seasons, then concluded his 12 year career with two seasons in Oakland with the Raiders. While in the NFL John was involved in many civic and charitable activities that benefited the citizens of the communities where he played. In 2005 he was presented the Ed Block Courage Award while a member of the Buccaneers. John graduated from Marshall with a degree in Business Management and has now returned to Harrisonburg where he is associated with his family’s business. |