Barry Helton (2019) - CU Athletic Hall of Fame - University of Colorado Athletics

Barry Helton

Induction:
2019
Class:
1987

Lettered four times under head coach Bill McCartney from 1984-87 … Recruited as both a quarterback and punter, but when CU moved to the wishbone on offense, he concentrated solely on punting duties, which eventually led to him being selected as a two-time, consensus first-team All-American as a sophomore in 1985 and junior in 1986 (including by the top two selectors, the Associated Press and United Press International) … He was an honorable mention choice by UPI his senior year in 1987, which to this day makes him one of just two players to earn some level of All-American three times … A three-time first-team All-Big Eight performer (1985-86-87), one of six three-time, first-team all-conference players in school history… As a sophomore, he averaged 46.0 yards for 52 punts (13 inside-the-20, 17 of 50 yards or longer); as a junior, he owned a 45.6 average for 57 punts (17 inside-the-20, 20 of 50-plus), and a senior, he averaged 44.0 yards for 40 punts (13 inside-the-20, six of 50 yards or more) … His averages his sophomore and junior years still rank among the top seven single-season averages in school history … A member of the Big Eight All-Decade team (1980-89) … Selected as an honorable mention member on CU’s All-Century team in 1989 … His career average yards per punt (44.92) ranked as the best in school history from the time of his graduation until 2002 and still ranks second (43 of his 153 career punts went for at least 50 yards, with a career long of 68 yards) … Owner of perhaps the most unique of all records at CU: Longest Punt With Non-Kicking Foot; he booted one 51 yards left-footed against Oklahoma State in 1985 … His 44 career punts inside-the-20 tied for the second most in CU annals at the time (still ranks fifth), and his 43 career kicks over 50 yards set a record that lasted for six years … He did throw four passes in his career, completing one for 17 yards … A fourth round pick by San Francisco in the 1988 NFL Draft (102nd overall) … Played in 50 career NFL games with San Francisco (1988-90) and the Los Angeles Rams (1991) ... Averaged 38.9 yards for 213 pro punts … He won two Super Bowl rings with San Francisco (1988, 1989) ... In 2012, he was inducted into the Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame … One of 26 players to have his jersey honored and name hung in Folsom Field … As a quarterback for Simla High School, he led his team to three straight state titles (1980-82) in Colorado’s 8-man division … He improved his punting skills the summer prior to his sophomore year by practicing daily with his parent’s on the family’s eastern Colorado ranch … He was born January 2, 1965 in Colorado Springs … Owner and proprietor of Helton Auto Inc., in Colorado Springs and coaches youth sports in his spare time.