WEST LONG BRANCH – Monmouth University will retire the jersey of former football standout and current National Football League wide receiver Miles Austin.
A ceremony on Saturday during halftime of the men’s basketball game against St. Peter’s University will honor the first Hawks player to sign with an NFL team. Austin has been a member of the Dallas Cowboys since 2006.
When Austin left Monmouth in 2005, he was the all-time leader in receptions (150), receiving yards (2,867), receiving touchdowns (33), and scoring points (216). His 2005 record of 20.5 yards-per-catch is still tops at Monmouth.
“I think it is fitting and appropriate that Miles Austin’s jersey is the first in program history to be retired,” said Monmouth coach Kevin Callahan in a statement from the school. “Miles has made significant contributions to the program, he set a standard for a level of performance at Monmouth and has continued to that in the NFL. Miles has remained very close to the Monmouth program and frequently returns to campus to interact with our players. He has been and continues to be, a great ambassador of not just the football team but also the entire Monmouth University community.”
Austin has been named to the Pro Bowl twice (2009 and 2010) and holds the Cowboys franchise record for receiving yards in a game with 250.
