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Joshua Cribbs, joined by President Lester A. Lefton, athletic director Joel Nielsen and former head coach Dean Pees, donated $100,000 to Kent State football after the team retired his number. The $100,000 represents the cost of his football scholarship during his years playing for the Golden Flashes.
Joshua Cribbs, joined by President Lester A. Lefton, athletic director Joel Nielsen and former head coach Dean Pees, donated $100,000 to Kent State football after the team retired his number. The $100,000 represents the cost of his football scholarship during his years playing for the Golden Flashes.
Joshua Cribbs signs autographs for adoring fans on the sidelines before halftime.
Joshua Cribbs signs autographs for adoring fans on the sidelines before halftime.
Joshua Cribbs is surrounded by a crush of fans in the Field House as he signs autographs before the game.
Joshua Cribbs is surrounded by a crush of fans in the Field House as he signs autographs before the game.
Joshua Cribbs speaks to the media after the retirement of his number during halftime.
Joshua Cribbs speaks to the media after the retirement of his number during halftime.
<p>Joshua Cribbs gives his wife, Maria, a kiss after the number retirement ceremony.<br /> <br /> </p>

Joshua Cribbs gives his wife, Maria, a kiss after the number retirement ceremony.

President Lester A. Lefton poses for a photo with Joshua Cribbs in the president's loge at Dix Stadium.
President Lester A. Lefton poses for a photo with Joshua Cribbs in the president's loge at Dix Stadium.
  • Joshua Cribbs, joined by President Lester A. Lefton, athletic director Joel Nielsen and former head coach Dean Pees, donated $100,000 to Kent State football after the team retired his number. The $100,000 represents the cost of his football scholarship during his years playing for the Golden Flashes.
  • Joshua Cribbs signs autographs for adoring fans on the sidelines before halftime.
  • Joshua Cribbs is surrounded by a crush of fans in the Field House as he signs autographs before the game.
  • Joshua Cribbs speaks to the media after the retirement of his number during halftime.
  • <p>Joshua Cribbs gives his wife, Maria, a kiss after the number retirement ceremony.<br /> <br /> </p>
  • President Lester A. Lefton poses for a photo with Joshua Cribbs in the president's loge at Dix Stadium.

Joshua Cribbs
Jersey Retired

Intercollegiate Athletics | 11/04/2010
With memories of a packed Dix Stadium and a Homecoming victory over rival Akron still fresh in everyone’s mind, the Kent State Golden Flashes returned home again Oct. 30 for Joshua Cribbs Day. That afternoon, in addition to winning against Ball State University 33-14, Kent State proudly retired the #9 jersey that Cribbs wore from 2001-04 while he was befuddling opponents on his way to rewriting the school record books. Following the halftime presentation, Cribbs made a $100,000 donation to Kent State's athletic department.

“I would just like to say that it's a great honor to be part of a legacy,” Cribbs said. “Getting your jersey retired is something that people dream of. It means I'm doing the right thing to get to where I am today. It's great for me, it puts me at great peace. Kent State has been playing football for a long time and for me to be remembered as a great there — I'll remember for years to come.”
 
Cribbs joined Jim Corrigall (#79, 1967-69), Jack Lambert (#99, 1971-73) and Eric Wilkerson (#40, 1985-88) as the only players in the 88-year history of Kent State’s program to have their number retired.
 
“This is a well-deserved honor for a player who brought great recognition to Kent State University when he competed here and continues to do so on an almost daily basis in the National Football League,” said Kent State Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen. "Joshua exemplifies our commitment to excellence both on and off the field and we're proud to announce today that we will be permanently enshrining him among our all-time greats."
 
During his standout career with the Flashes, Cribbs redefined the quarterback position, becoming just the second player in NCAA history with two “double-1,000 seasons” (1,000 yards passing and rushing). He set the school career passing mark with 7,169 yards, while his career rushing total of 3,670 yards ranks third.
 
In addition, Cribbs still holds the career records for rushing touchdowns (38), completions (616), attempts (1,123), total plays (1,755), total yards (10,839), points (246) and total touchdowns (41). The first three-time captain in school history, he was an honorable mention All-American as a senior in 2004.
 
Cribbs graduated from Kent State in the spring of 2010 with a bachelor's degree in communication studies with a concentration in public communication. He is a native of Upper Marlboro, Md., and attended Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C.
 
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