Gary Baldinger (2001) - Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame

Gary Baldinger

Induction:
2001

From 1983 through 1985, Gary Baldinger was the anchor of the Wake Forest defensive line. The Most Valuable Player on the 1985 team, Baldinger was a first-team All-ACC selection in 1984 and 1985.

Wake Forest went 14-19 during his three-year career, including a 6-5 record in 1984. Baldinger played his entire career under head coach Al Groh. In 1985, Baldinger and teammate Foy White served as team captains.

In addition the all-conference honors, Baldinger received the prestigious Arnold Palmer Award as the university's outstanding male athlete in 1986. In 1984, he won the Bill George Award as Wake Forest's most outstanding lineman and the Beattie Feathers Award as the team's most improved player. He was an honorable mention All-America selection by two sources in 1985.

Baldinger went on to an outstanding career in the national Football League, playing for Kansas City (1986-88), Indianapolis (1989) and Buffalo (1990-92). He helped the Bills to three of their four consecutive AFC championships and Super Bowl appearances.

Football was a tradition in the Baldinger family. The patriarch, James Baldinger, played in the early 1950s at the U.S. Naval Academy. Brother Brian was an offensive guard at Duke and brother Richard was a standout offensive lineman at Wake Forest from 1979-81. The three siblings were in the NFL simultaneously from 1986-92; Rich and Gary were teammates for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1986-88, in fact.