Colorado Legends Bieniemy, Hudson Up for Hall of Fame

In a program built on tradition, grit and championship pedigree, two more legends of Colorado football are now on the cusp of college football immortality.

Former Buffaloes standouts Eric Bieniemy and Chris Hudson have officially been named to the ballot for the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame class, the National Football Foundation announced Monday. For longtime CU fans, this moment is more than overdue, it’s a celebration of two of the greatest to ever wear the black and gold.

Eric Bieniemy: CU’s Rushing King and National Champion

For Buffs faithful, Bieniemy is synonymous with the golden era of Colorado football. From 1987 to 1990, he terrorized defenses as a relentless force in the backfield. His 3,940 rushing yards remain the most in school history, and his 17-touchdown, 1,628-yard senior campaign powered Colorado to its first and only national championship.

A unanimous first-team All-American in 1990 and third-place finisher in that year’s Heisman Trophy voting, Bieniemy also earned Big Eight Offensive Player of the Year honors. After college, he played nine NFL seasons and later transitioned into coaching, notably helping the Kansas City Chiefs win Super Bowls LIV and LVII as offensive coordinator. He now serves as running backs coach for the Chicago Bears.

Despite being on the ballot since 2010, this could be the year Bieniemy finally breaks through, and the timing feels right.

Chris Hudson: The Defensive Anchor

While Bieniemy made his mark by bulldozing through tacklers, Chris Hudson made his by stopping them. A versatile defensive back for Colorado from 1991 to 1994, Hudson’s dominance peaked in 1994 when he earned the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back, even while battling a turf toe injury for most of the season.

That year, Hudson was a consensus first-team All-American, and a leader on a Buffs squad that finished 11-1. He totaled 15 career interceptions, was named first-team all-conference three times, and went on to play in 77 NFL games over seven seasons. Hudson was inducted into the CU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016, and his legacy as one of the Buffs’ most dynamic defenders remains untouchable.

The Road to Immortality

If inducted, Bieniemy and Hudson would join an elite group of Buffaloes in the Hall, including Rashaan Salaam, Michael Westbrook, Deon Figures, and legendary coach Bill McCartney.

Voting is conducted by over 12,000 National Football Foundation members, with the 2026 class to be announced early next year and formally inducted at the NFF awards dinner in Las Vegas on Dec. 8, 2026.

For Buffs Nation, this isn’t just recognition. It’s a rallying cry.

As Coach Prime rebuilds the current Colorado program with swagger and belief, it’s only fitting that two trailblazers from the glory days are finally getting their Hall of Fame moment. If you bleed black and gold, now’s the time to celebrate these legends and share their stories.