Joe Staley to serve as homecoming grand marshal

Former Central Michigan Football and National Football League great Joe Staley will serve as grand marshal for CMU's homecoming celebration this October.

Staley, an offensive tackle, played for CMU from 2003-06. He was captain of the 2006 Mid-American Conference championship team and also led that team to the program's first bowl victory. The San Francisco 49ers took Staley in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft as the No. 28 pick, the highest a CMU football player had ever been selected at the time.

Along with his grand marshal honor, Staley will be inducted into the Marcy Weston CMU Athletics Hall of Fame during homecoming weekend.

Plan to come home

Homecoming weekend is Oct. 15-16, with CMU hosting Toledo at 3:30 p.m. on that Saturday in Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Tickets are on sale at Ticket Central in the John G. Kulhavi Events Center or by calling 888-347-3872.

"Central Michigan holds a very special place in my heart," Staley said. "It is where I got my start toward my professional career and I have many great memories from my time there. I am excited to come back and have a great week with the friends and family who had such an important influence on who I am and my accomplishments."

Staley allowed just one sack in his final two seasons at CMU and earned First Team All-MAC honors during his senior year. A native of Rockford, Michigan, Staley played in 47 games including 11 as a true freshman at tight end.

"We are excited to welcome Joe and his family back this fall," said Amy Folan, the Zyzelewski Family Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics. "He has been an amazing representative for CMU since joining our program in 2003 and has brought an immense amount of pride and recognition to our university during his fantastic career."

Staley starred for 13 seasons for the 49ers, starting all 181 games he played in for the team. He earned NFL All-Pro honors three times, was named to the Pro Bowl six times and was selected to the NFL 2010 All-Decade team. Staley played two Super Bowls, XLVII and LIV.

"We are excited to welcome Joe home to CMU as grand marshal," said Marcie Otteman, CMU's executive director of Alumni Relations and constituent engagement. "His NFL career is legendary. We are so proud of him and look forward to honoring him."