North Carolina State University Athletics
Combs Cherishes His Days at NC State
2/24/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Feb. 24, 2011
RALEIGH, N.C. -
Having recently undergone knee replacement surgery, Freddie Combs ambles along these days.
But NC State old timers remember when fast Freddie rambled along as a two-sport standout.
He was a four-year starter in baseball and an All-America defensive back and record-breaking return specialist in football during the 1960s.
Some days after spring practice ended, he'd peel off his pads and dart to Doak Field to take batting practice.
Now there are few Freddies, Division I multi-sport athletes. Current Wolfpackers Russell Wilson (football and baseball) and T.J. Graham (football and track) are anomalies in this era of specialization.
"Back then you didn't have the demand on each sport as they have today,'' said Combs, who lives in Raleigh with wife, Jaime. "We didn't have requirements for weight lifting. It's much more difficult to play two sports today."
Combs and twin brother Francis came to NC State on combination football-baseball scholarships after stellar high school careers in Hertford, where they were teammates of Hall-of-Fame pitcher Jim "Catfish" Hunter.
Francis played both sports his freshman year, then concentrated on baseball, made his mark as a college catcher and spent three seasons in the New York Yankees minor league system.
Freddie did the dual sport act while working for a degree in wood science and technology. In 1967 he was a key player on the famed "White Shoes" defense that helped NC State achieve its highest national football ranking ever (No. 3). And `in 68 he contributed to the Pack's third-place finish in baseball's College World Series.
"We had a chance to win two national championships,'' said Combs, his voice emanating both satisfaction and regret.
PEAKS & VALLEYS
Freddie was a sinewy 5-10, 190-pounder with farm-boy toughness to go along with breakaway speed.
In `67 Combs scored twice on 70-plus yard punt returns and set an ACC record for single-season return yardage (434), a mark that still stands at NC State. That kind of scintillating play, coupled with pad-popping tackling, earned him first team All-America honors and the team MVP award.
"He was just a good athlete,'' Francis said. "He was fast, tough and hard nosed."
In a 16-6 win over No. 2 Houston in '67, Combs' picked off a pass that helped NC State secure the shocking win. That put a damper on the Cougars post-game "victory" party at the hotel where the Pack was staying.
"We attended their party,'' Combs said, laughing.
Fueled with momentum, NC State built an 8-0 record and a No. 3 ranking prior o facing Penn State later in the fall. A win would have catapulted the Pack to No. 1, but a fourth down plunge 12 inches from the goal line failed and potential victory vanquished into a 13-8 loss.
"Sitting on the bench, I put my head in my hands and said `this is everything or nothing,' Combs said. "When we didn't make it, it was devastating. We had so much on the line. We just didn't get it done."
A win would have sent NC State to the Orange Bowl. The following week a victory over Clemson would have secured a ticket to the Sugar Bowl, but again the Pack lost. As it turned out, the Liberty Bowl issued an invitation, which prompted a quip from witty coach Earle Edwards.
"Since Slippery Rock passed on the Liberty Bowl, they decided to pick us," Combs recalls Edwards saying.
By bowl time the Pack got its act back together and stunned Southeastern Conference bully Georgia 14-7, a prestigious victory that capped a 9-2 season.
Through it all Combs enjoyed playing for Edwards and assistant coach Al Michaels, a defensive mastermind.
"Coach Edwards was business, but had a dry sense of humor," Combs said. "Coach Michaels was so passionate, you wanted to win for him so bad. His heart and soul was in football."
Combs shared that same passion for the game and got a shot in the pros. San Diego drafted him in '68 and he stuck until the final cuts.
DIAMOND GLITTER
In baseball Combs was versatile, playing shortstop, second base and left field during his career and won the team batting crown as a sophomore with a .330 average.
He also was a bandit on the base paths.
"They hardly ever threw him out,'' said Francis, who played on the '67 World Series team.
Freddie's Series memories include a controversial call at home plate in a second-round loss to St. John's and a home run he slammed to help NC State beat Texas. His hitting tailed off overall that year and throwing became a challenge, due to torn bicep tendons suffered in football.
But coach Sam Esposito was glad to have him around, and vice versa.
"He demanded a lot; you had to do things his way, but it was all to help a person improve,'' Combs said of Esposito. "He was enjoyable (to play for)."
CHALLENGING TIMES
Life wasn't all ball for Freddie and Francis. Their father (Reuben) died when they were 10 years old, leaving mother Alice as the chief breadwinner and homemaker.
"It was very challenging,'' Freddie recalled. "We had a good mother. She was a strong Christian and raised us that way. We lived off social security and what she was able to do as a private nurse, taking care of people in their homes."
When school was out, Freddie worked in the soybean, peanut and cornfields. Sometimes he pumped gas at filling stations. One summer while at NC State he drove a dump truck and shoveled asphalt.
But he and Francis found time to play lots of ball, became prep stars, and are grateful for the opportunity that NC State provided.
"We didn't have anything,'' Freddie said. "I don't know what we would have done if not for athletic scholarships ... allowing us to get to college."
Both brothers have had productive careers as sales representatives, raised fine families and fervently supported the Wolfpack. They've remained especially close to former associate athletic director Frank Weedon, often taking the NC State legend to games and outings.
"Frank has been a great friend over the years,'' Freddie said. "He's as fine a person as you'll ever see. He was a groomsman in our wedding and I was in his wedding."
The years have slipped by, but the fond memories haven't dimmed and Combs hasn't let up -- well, not until the knee surgery.
He attends a weekly Bible study led by former NC State All-America Johnny Evans, plays occasional golf, works out regularly, goes to Wolfpack games, and works full time. Always high on his agenda are visits with daughter Kristen, son-in-law Stewart York and athletic grandchildren Kahlee and Quinn, who live in Florida.
With a "new" knee at age 64, Combs plans to keep on rambling -- though maybe a step slower than in his All-America Wolfpack days.
By A.J. Carr
