Football | 5/25/2021 3:58:00 PM

ANNAPOLIS, Md.—Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk announced today that the Naval Academy Athletic Association will retire Chet Moeller's No. 48 on Oct. 2 during the UCF home football game.  Moeller is the fifth Navy football player to have his number retired and the first on the defensive side of the football.
 
"Chet Moeller, one of Navy's all-time favorite sons, will be finally and duly recognized as one of our most accomplished, determined and tenacious defensive football players ever to proudly wear the Blue and Gold" said Gladchuk.  "His No. 48 will justifiably be hung from the rafters to forever remind our alumni and fans of the influence he had on our gridiron success and the game of college football at-large. Those that watched Chet compete still recall a midshipman that could change the course of the game play after play through his unparalleled athletic ability and unwavering will to win. The time has come for Navy football to fully appreciate his storied career and stamp an indelible mark on a legacy that will never fade."
 
"It is truly humbling and a great honor to have the No. 48 retired on my behalf," said Moeller.  "I am forever grateful for my coaches believing in me and giving me the opportunity to play the great game of football.  Our coaches were first class and were instrumental in helping me understand the game and learn to read my keys and adjust.  They were truly the best; George Welsh, Rick Lantz, Lenny Fontes, Steve Belichick.  I have tremendous pride and gratitude to say that I was able to learn from them."
 
"Along with our coaches, my teammates fostered an environment that enabled me to succeed. Our senior class had a special and unique bond that remains to this day," continued Moeller.  "We won because of our coaches and because we cared deeply for each other.  We gave the extra effort for those who played next to us and for those who helped us prepare for each game. I am thankful for my teammates and my coaches and I want this retirement of the No.  48 to be a celebration of us all."
 
Moeller, the 1975 East Coast Athletic Conference (ECAC) Player of the Year and First Team All-American, revolutionized the position of safety on his way to becoming one of the most decorated football players in Navy history.
A two-time All-East selection, Moeller is one of only six Midshipmen to be selected as a unanimous All-American. He served as co-captain his senior year and registered 275 tackles during his career. He recorded a school record 25 tackles for a loss as a junior.
Moeller, a 1976 graduate of the Naval Academy, was awarded the Naval Academy Athletic Association Sword, which is presented to the midshipman of the graduating class declared by the Association's Athletic Committee to have personally excelled in athletics during his years of varsity competition. Moeller was a star in the classroom as well, earning Second Team Academic All-America honors as a senior.
In 2009, Moeller was selected to the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial All-Stadium Team.
 
Moeller was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.  He was the 22nd Navy player or coach to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and the first since former quarterback and head coach George Welsh was inducted in 2004.
 
Moeller was a recipient of the Bronko Nagurski Legends Award in 2016, which recognizes outstanding defensive football players from the past 40 years.
 
Moeller joins Roger Staubach (No. 12), Joe Bellino (No. 27), Napoleon McCallum (No. 30) and Keenan Reynolds (No. 19) as Navy football legends that have had their number retired.