Walter (Tiger) Mayberry played quarterback, defensive back, and punter from 1934 to 1937 and became the school's first All-SEC honoree in 1937. Tiger still remained amongst the top five in the Gator record booksuntil the 1970s. His 11 career interceptions were a school record until 1965, and his 6 interceptions in a year were a record until 1970. Even after nearly 70 years, Tiger is tied for 6th in career interceptions and 5th for season interceptions. Tiger was drafted by the Cleveland Rams with the 61st pick of the 1938 NFL Draft. When World War 2 kicked off, Tiger commissioned into Marine Corps and was a pilot in the renowned VMF-123. Tiger downed three Japanese aircraft, two short of "ace" status, despite having three probable shoot-downs. While saving the life of a fellow Marine, he was shot down in the Pacific. Tiger died in a prisoner of war (POW) camp at Rabaul alongside fellow Gator, Air Force Lieutenant Henry Keel.
Fergie Ferguson, the namesake of the Fergie Ferguson Award, is one of the University of Florida's greatest all-around athletes. Ferguson was a three-year starter and All American (1941) at offensive end and defensive end, "playing both ways," from 1939 to 1941. His school pass-receiving records remained unbroken until the 1960s, when quarterbacks Steve Spurrier and John Reaves began to throw passes to star receivers Charles Casey, Richard Trapp, and All-American Carlos Alvarez in pro passing schemes. He graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in education and joined the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant in 1942. On June 6, 1944, he led an infantry platoon of the 29th Infantry Division in the Allies' D-Day landings on Omaha Beach in Nazi-occupied Normandy, France. Ferguson was injured clearing a passage through the enemy obstacles while taking direct, heavy fire. Ferguson was awarded the U.S. Army's Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second highest medal for gallantry in combat, for his service on June 6, 1944. He never recovered from his wounds, and died less than ten years later in Miami.
