About Inductee

The date was October 15, 1994. The place was Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., ominously nicknamed The Swamp, the intimidating football home of the No. 1-ranked Florida Gators. The opponent was Auburn University, winner of 16 straight games since Terry Bowden replaced Pat Dye as head coach the year before. Auburn, despite being ranked Number 6 in the nation, was a 16-point underdog. What would transpire over a three-hour span on that cool overcast afternoon would provide some of the most cherished moments of Andy Fullers life. After the lead changed hands three times in the fourth quarter alone, Auburn won 36-33. Twenty years later, its still remembered as one of the most epic victories in Auburn history. Among the many happy heroes that day was Andy Fuller, the Tigers 6-4, 250-pound senior tight end from Huntsville, who snagged seven passes for 115 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Known primarily as a punishing blocker, Fuller had only caught a total of six passes in his previous three seasons. I guess our defense didnt think their tight end was an eligible receiver," quipped Florida coach Steve Spurrier afterward. You know, hardly a day goes by that somebody doesnt bring up that game but I dont mind," said Fuller, now the assistant head coach at Alabama A&M University. Fuller, a two-time All-City lineman at J. O. Johnson High School in Huntsville in the early 1990s, quickly became a fixture at tight end after signing with Auburn. A four-year letterman, he was a main cog in Auburns 11-0 season in 1993 and was named to the All-SEC offensive team his junior and senior years. In his college career, he caught 22 passes for 573 yards and five touchdowns. He won the Shug Jordan Award as the teams Outstanding Senior Player, was named Top Tiger" for his academic record, and participated in numerous community service projects throughout his college years. Signed as a free agent by the Miami Dolphins in 1996, he played with the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe in 1997, earning a championship ring when the Dragons won World Bowl V by defeating the Rhein Fire. After a year with Mobile of the Regional Football League, he returned to his hometown in 2000 and played five seasons with the Tennessee Valley Vipers of the Arena league. Fuller appeared in 73 games for the Vipers, catching 54 passes for 573 yards and 28 touchdowns while compiling 95 tackles, 15 sacks, two interceptions and five fumble recoveries on defense. The franchise retired Fullers number 82 in 2005. Transitioning to coaching, Fuller became a graduate assistant and later a full-time assistant on the staff of former A&M coach Anthony Jones. He was elevated to assistant head coach by new A&M coach James Spady in 2014. Being considered for the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame is the highlight of my athletic career," said Fuller. Im indebted to so many people in our community for always being there for me with words of encouragement, prayers and support, both academically and athletically." Among the most influential of these were his parents, Andrew and Dorothy Fuller; Paul Parvin and Nathaniel Jackson, his coaches at Johnson; Pat Dye and coach Rodney Garner at Auburn; and Jones and Spady at Alabama A&M. Andy Fuller and his wife Cynarra have three daughters: Ashai Fuller, Ciedah Moore and Chequata Moore.