March 7, 2008

Buford Jordan, a former McNeese State all-American running back, has been in town the past few days helping his alma mater with some fund raising.

He also got a good look at the construction going on at Cowboy Stadium, where he mustered up at least half of the 4,156 yards he ran for during his four years as a Cowboy.

"It's really going to be nice when they get the new turf on the field," he said on Friday. "I know that I left a lot of tears and sweat down in the hole as did a lot of others."

Jordan, who lives in the New Orleans area, was in town to help the McNeese Athletic Foundation raise money for scholarships with its "Denim and Diamonds" project on Thursday. He will also play in the Cowboy Club's annual golf scramble tournament on Saturday at Gray Plantation.

Now a physical fitness guru who works with young boys and girls in speed and conditioning programs, Jordan was famous for his "Iota Two-Step"in Cowboy Stadium.

He still holds the McNeese all-time record for touchdowns in a single season (18) and in a career (45), playing for the Cowboys from 1980 to 1983. His career rushing total is second all-time in McNeese history and his 4,888 all-purpose yards also ranks second.

At one time he was the all-time leading rusher in McNeese, Louisiana and Southland Conference history.

Jordan's top rushing game came in the 1981 season in Cowboy Stadium when he ran for 208 yards on 25 carries in a victory over then Northeast Louisiana. He also had a 172 yard effort against West Texas in Cowboy Stadium in the 1983 season.

Twice named the McNeese most valuable player, Jordan played in the Independence Bowl in 1980, was named Louisiana's amateur athlete of the year in 1983, was named the Southland's offensive player of the year in 1981 and the Louisiana Player of the year in 1983.

He went on to be a first round draft pick in the USFL and played nine seasons with the New Orleans Saints.

A member of the McNeese Hall of Fame, Jordan also went on to coach in the arena football league.

Buford Jordan takes look at the construction work going on at Cowboy Stadium.