Maryland Welcomes Back More Than 120 Terps for Football Letterwinners Weekend
The Terps welcomed back some of College Park’s greatest Friday and Saturday.
Brady Ruth, Staff Writer
9/22/2026
More than 120 Terps were a part of the annual Football Letterwinner Weekend this past Friday and Saturday.
“It means a lot to be here,” said Beau Brade, who played football for the Terps from 2020-23 and has played in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants. “This area and this college supported me so much throughout my time here with academics, off the field, and on the field. It’s been amazing.”
More than 50 past players attended the team’s walkthrough and had dinner at Jones-Hill House on Friday night, offering an opportunity to see the current team work before Saturday’s game and to connect across six generations of Terps Football.
“Everyone's been so outgoing,” Brade said. “Everybody that’s been in the new front office, they’ve been so outgoing to not just introduce themselves, but really get to know you as a whole person. That’s been really amazing and what’s brought me back, them trying to get to know the alumni and build the best relationship they can.”
Everyone's been so outgoing. Everybody that’s been in the new front office, they’ve been so outgoing to not just introduce themselves, but really get to know you as a whole person. That’s been really amazing and what’s brought me back, them trying to get to know the alumni and build the best relationship they can.Beau Brade
The focus turned to the field on Saturday night, but not before the letterwinners were able to attend a tailgate hosted by football letterwinner Jamie Wu, a second-team All-ACC offensive lineman who played for the Terps from 1995-1999. The tailgate was catered by Maryland Athletics partner Sardi’s Catering.
"It was an honor to have our football letterwinners back on campus,” said Renaldo Nehemiah ‘81, M Club Executive Director and Maryland Track & Field letterwinner. “They represent much of our proud history and the culture that is Maryland football. We value their contributions and they're always welcomed here! We can never thank them enough for representing Maryland at the highest levels both on and off their field of play."
Closer to kickoff, the letterwinners were able to walk down the Mark L. Butler Tunnel and into the bright lights of a SECU Stadium night. The weekend continues to serve as an important reminder that you never stop being a Terp, no matter when your time in college ended.
“I usually try to have some sort of connection to the staff,” said E.J. Henderson, a College Football Hall of Famer and Maryland Athletics Hall of Famer, who played for the Terps from 1999-2002. “Coach Locksley coached when I was here, so we have a good connection. They do a good job keeping us connected to the staff and to the players. I’m trying to stay involved. I came down to practice a couple times during camp.”
It was an honor to have our football letterwinners back on campus. They represent much of our proud history and the culture that is Maryland football. We value their contributions and they're always welcomed here!Renaldo Nehemiah ‘81, M Club Executive Director
The letterwinners in attendance were recognized in the second quarter with an on-field ceremony that also paid homage to five football players who passed away this year, including Bruce Palmer, Mancel Johnson, Walt Rock, Dick Absher, and Tom Sankovich.
“There's nothing better than College Park,” said Andrew Magee, who competed as a Terp from 2011-12. “This is the best college town in America, so I'm glad to be back. I’m happy to be back and give back to our athletic department. I think all of the other winners have a duty to give back to our department, so I'm happy to do my part.”
“This is a special atmosphere tonight,” Henderson said. “It’s always good to come back for this type of atmosphere.”
Maryland will welcome back the 1976 ACC Championship team and players from the Coach Jerry Claiborne era Oct. 16-17 vs. Rutgers and the 2001 ACC Championship team Nov. 13-14 vs. Wisconsin.
