Topic: Parthenon: Ricky Hall finds success in AFL, on big screen

[AtlTom]

There was a former Marshall football star on the big stage this week, and it wasn't Randy Moss on Monday Night Football.

Ricky Hall, who played with the Arena Football League's New York Dragons this past season, is featured in the new Disney film "The Gameplan."

The movie stars former Miami Hurricanes standout and World Wrestling Entertainment star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and it was the number one movie at the box office during the weekend.

Hall was a four-year starter for the Herd from 1995 to 1998 and amassed 248 total tackles to go along with 9 sacks during his time in Huntington. He also garnered First Team All-Mid-American Conference status in 1998.

Many Herd fans remember Hall as one of the players (along with Randy Moss and Doug Chapman) to wear green and white-striped socks during the Herd's run to the 1996 I-AA National Championship.

Known for his play on the defensive side of the ball, Hall has recently seen some action at tailback when playing for New York.

"I've always been a two-way guy," Hall said. "A lot of people don't know that I came to Marshall as a fullback."

Hall was just one of several players from the AFL to help fill the roster of the fictional New York Dukes, rivals to Johnson's Boston Rebels, in "The Gameplan."

Players were needed to help film the contact scenes for the film. Hall portrays "Wolpert" of the New York Dukes as a teammate of Johnson's character in the movie.

"Working with (Dwayne Johnson) was really cool. He was really down to earth," Hall said.

Entering his eighth season in the AFL, Hall said he does not miss playing outdoor football.

"I got comfortable inside," Hall said. "Outdoors is a foreign game to me now."

Playing professional football and working on box-office topping films has not kept Hall from keeping in touch with old teammates. Hall said he still keeps in contact with several former Herd players.

"I still talk to B.J. Cohen, Rogers Beckett and (John) Grace from time to time," Hall said.

When asked about the current state of Marshall football, Hall said it was a bit of a sore subject.

Hall said he has been embarrassed by MU's 0-5 start but hopes the team can turn things around in C-USA play.

For those who would like to see Hall on the silver screen, "The Gameplan" is showing in Huntington at Marquee Cinemas Pullman Square.

Tom Bragg can be contacted at bragg41@marshall.edu.

http://media.www.marshallparthenon.com/media/storage/paper534/news/2007/10/04/Sports/Ricky.Hall.Finds.Success.In.Afl.On.Big.Screen-3011334.shtml