Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

16 hours ago

‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ Actor Michael Madsen Dies at 67

17 hours ago

Eyeing Arctic Dominance, Trump Bill Earmarks $8.6 Billion for US Coast Guard Icebreakers

17 hours ago

Trump’s Sweeping Tax-Cut and Spending Bill Wins Congressional Approval

18 hours ago

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

21 hours ago

US Supreme Court to Decide Legality of Transgender School Sports Bans

22 hours ago

Nvidia Set to Become the World’s Most Valuable Company in History

22 hours ago

Poll: 41% in US ‘Extremely Proud’ to Be American, Near Historic Low

22 hours ago
RIP, Dale Messer, 86: He Rocketed From Lemoore to Fresno State to 49ers
News
By News
Published 1 year ago on
March 1, 2024

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Dale Messer, one of nine names hung inside Valley Children’s Stadium as a retired jersey in the Fresno State football program, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 86.

Messer, who wore No. 21 for the Bulldogs, was a two-time All-America selection at running back and had a five-year NFL career with San Francisco as a halfback, receiver, and defensive back for the 49ers.

Fresno State News

Messer was the first Bulldog in Fresno State football history to have his jersey retired.

Messer, a 1961 graduate of Fresno State, was a 170-pounder from Lemoore who had 9.9 (100 yards) speed as a halfback. He not only carried the ball, but he punted and handled placekicking chores as well.

A three-time all-conference pick, Messer led the Bulldogs in rushing (811 yards), receiving (30 catches), scoring (108 points), punt returns and kickoff returns his senior year. He also returned three passing interceptions for 28 yards, punted for a 34.6 average, and was 3-for-6 in the passing department with two touchdowns.

Messer’s rushing total was even more impressive when you consider that as a team Fresno State ranked third in the nation in passing offense (1,947 yards).

Two-Time All-American at Fresno State

A two-time All-America selection, Messer played in the East-West Shrine game in San Francisco and was a three-time All-Coast honoree. He later played for the San Francisco 49ers (1961-65) after rushing for nearly 2,000 yards, scoring 31 touchdowns and leading Fresno State to three-straight conference titles.

“It is a sad day to lose such a great Bulldog and a great representative of the Fresno State football program,” said head football coach Jeff Tedford. “Dale embodied everything that is Fresno State Football, and his accomplishments and legacy will be remembered in our program forever.”

State Champion Hurdler at Lemoore High School

Messer, a native of Lemoore, had his No. 12 jersey retired at Lemoore High in 2007.  He was also a state champion high hurdler while he competed for Lemoore in 1956. Messer was considered one of the finest athletes ever produced in the San Joaquin Valley.

In 1969, Messer was inducted into the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame. He was also a member of the Hall of Fame at College of the Sequoias, where his jersey has also been retired.

Messer resided in Fresno since his playing days. His No. 21 jersey has come out of retirement just once at Fresno State to Ryan Mathews in 2007.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

July 4th Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of the Founding Fathers

DON'T MISS

Fresno Crash Involving Unlicensed Teen Driver Sends Woman to Hospital

DON'T MISS

Madre Fire Burns More Than 52,000 Acres in San Luis Obispo County

DON'T MISS

RIP John Harris: Fresno County Rancher, Racehorse Breeder Was a Visionary Leader Who Leaves a ‘Profound Legacy’

DON'T MISS

Valadao, Costa Spar on What Passage of Trump’s Bill Means for Medicaid Recipients

DON'T MISS

US Military Says 200 Marines Being Sent to Support ICE in Florida

DON'T MISS

Boeing Secures $2.8 Billion US Satellite Contract

DON'T MISS

Kaweah Health Names Its New Chief Nurse. She’s From Texas

DON'T MISS

Clovis Police Say At-Risk Missing Woman Found Dead in Mariposa County

DON'T MISS

Over 100 Former Senior Officials Warn Against Planned Staff Cuts at US State Department

UP NEXT

Fresno Crash Involving Unlicensed Teen Driver Sends Woman to Hospital

UP NEXT

Madre Fire Burns More Than 52,000 Acres in San Luis Obispo County

UP NEXT

RIP John Harris: Fresno County Rancher, Racehorse Breeder Was a Visionary Leader Who Leaves a ‘Profound Legacy’

UP NEXT

Valadao, Costa Spar on What Passage of Trump’s Bill Means for Medicaid Recipients

UP NEXT

US Military Says 200 Marines Being Sent to Support ICE in Florida

UP NEXT

Boeing Secures $2.8 Billion US Satellite Contract

UP NEXT

Kaweah Health Names Its New Chief Nurse. She’s From Texas

UP NEXT

Clovis Police Say At-Risk Missing Woman Found Dead in Mariposa County

UP NEXT

Over 100 Former Senior Officials Warn Against Planned Staff Cuts at US State Department

UP NEXT

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

RIP John Harris: Fresno County Rancher, Racehorse Breeder Was a Visionary Leader Who Leaves a ‘Profound Legacy’

14 hours ago

Valadao, Costa Spar on What Passage of Trump’s Bill Means for Medicaid Recipients

14 hours ago

US Military Says 200 Marines Being Sent to Support ICE in Florida

15 hours ago

Boeing Secures $2.8 Billion US Satellite Contract

15 hours ago

Kaweah Health Names Its New Chief Nurse. She’s From Texas

15 hours ago

Clovis Police Say At-Risk Missing Woman Found Dead in Mariposa County

15 hours ago

Over 100 Former Senior Officials Warn Against Planned Staff Cuts at US State Department

16 hours ago

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

16 hours ago

‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ Actor Michael Madsen Dies at 67

17 hours ago

Fresno Police Recover Some of the $40,000 in Fireworks Stolen From Bullard High Team

17 hours ago

July 4th Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of the Founding Fathers

In the muggy summer of 1776, 56 men met in Philadelphia and pledged their “lives, fortunes, and sacred honor” to America’s future with the D...

28 minutes ago

28 minutes ago

July 4th Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of the Founding Fathers

A crash causes a traffic jam in northwest Fresno on Thursday, July 3, 2025. (GV Wire/Paul Marshall)
13 hours ago

Fresno Crash Involving Unlicensed Teen Driver Sends Woman to Hospital

The Madre Fire near New Cuyama has burned 52,593 acres with 5% containment, prompting evacuation orders in several San Luis Obispo County zones as of Thursday, July 3, 2025, afternoon. (CalFire)
13 hours ago

Madre Fire Burns More Than 52,000 Acres in San Luis Obispo County

14 hours ago

RIP John Harris: Fresno County Rancher, Racehorse Breeder Was a Visionary Leader Who Leaves a ‘Profound Legacy’

14 hours ago

Valadao, Costa Spar on What Passage of Trump’s Bill Means for Medicaid Recipients

An ICE agent talks with migrants about their scheduled appointments with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Father’s Day, to learn about their immigration status, in Chicago, Illinois., U.S., June 15, 2025. (Reuters File)
15 hours ago

US Military Says 200 Marines Being Sent to Support ICE in Florida

Boeing logo and miniature satellite model are seen in this illustration taken, March 10, 2025. (Reuters File)
15 hours ago

Boeing Secures $2.8 Billion US Satellite Contract

15 hours ago

Kaweah Health Names Its New Chief Nurse. She’s From Texas

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend