UTEP recently selected an All-Centennial Football Team as part of its 100th Anniversary Celebration. Thirty five players were 
Jose L. Torres, a faithful reader of this column who is now communications and media relations director for the Airport System of the City of Dallas, wonders if fans could pick a single top player at each position. It got me to thinking. What if I pick UTEP’s all-around best football player ever, period.
It would be Jesse Whittenton.
THERE HAS never been a more complete football player in the history of the school. He was outstanding as a runner, receiver, quarterback, cornerback and safety.
During his UTEP career from 1952 through 1955 he rushed for 1351 yards, passed for 1381 yards, caught 19 passes, intercepted nine passes, brought back 17 punts for 230 yards and returned 20 kickoffs for 375 yards. He also scored 18 touchdowns and kicked 44 points after touchdowns before taking his talents to the Green Bay Packers, where he was such a great defensive back he was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Football Hall of Fame.
JESSE WAS born in Big Spring, Texas, but he grew up in El Paso. He attended Ysleta High School in the days when players played both offense and defense. Those were also the days of the single wing offense. He played tailback on offense and rushed and passed the Indians to the district championship in 1951.
UTEP, then known as Texas Western College, quickly grabbed him. Then, in 1953, as a sophomore, he helped the Miners to an 8-2 record and a 37-14 victory over University of Southern Mississippi in the Sun Bowl. As a receiver he caught a 25 yard scoring pass from quarterback Dick Shinaut.
THE NEXT YEAR, with Shinaut gone, Whittenton moved to quarterback. He was sensational. The Miners went 8-3 and beat Florida State in the Sun Bowl, 47-20. Whittenton passed for three touchdowns, ran for another two and kicked five extra points in that game.
It’s one of the greatest single-game performances ever in the Sun Bowl. And yes, his 35 points is a Sun Bowl record.
Needless to say, he was named recipient of the C. M. Hendricks Most Valuable Player Award.
HIS CAREER with the Packers was also outstanding. Legendary Green Bay coach Vince Lombardi described Jesse “as close to a perfect defensive back as anyone in the league.”
With an NFL career that spanned 112 games, Jesse, 6 feet 1 and 193 pounds, helped the Packers win two National Football League championships, went to the Pro Bowl twice and was named First Team All-Pro in 1961.
He was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1976.
He played seven seasons for the Packers (1958-64), led Green Bay with six interceptions in 1960 then tied for the team lead with three other players with five in ’61. In all, he intercepted 20 passes and recovered 10 fumbles.
Jesse took up golf seriously then. Incredibly strong, he could hit a golf ball “a mile.” His drives sometimes covered at least 400 yards. The 503 yard fifth hole on the YUCCA course at Santa Teresa has a bit of a dogleg with a lake on the left side. No one, not even Trevino, dared try to hit over the lake. Whittenton would clear the lake and be almost even with the green.
He tried the PGA Tour and made the cut in one tournament. Later, he tried the Senior PGA Tour and finished 21st in one tournament.
He passed away two years ago. Oh, what beautiful memories he left us.