Dan Rains’ football career typified the
determination and desire for which Beaver County athletics have
become known. Rains was a three year letterman in three sports –
football, basketball, and track – at Hopewell High School. A
teammate of Tony Dorsett,
Dan was a key member of the Viking squads
that went 9-1 in 1971 and 1972. Upon graduation, Dan went to the
University of Cincinnati where he became a prominent member of the
Bearcats. A linebacker, he was team captain in 1976 and 1977, being
named team MVP in 1977. Dan was named to the AP All American team
his senior year and played in both the Japan and Hula Bowls.
Overlooked by the NFL, he played semipro football from 1978 to 1980
and proved to be so outstanding that he was later inducted into the
Semipro Hall of Fame in 1986. He was finally given a chance to play
in the NFL by the Chicago Bears in 1981 and made the team. When
Mike Ditka took over the Bears, he made
Dan special teams captain. Dan
was a member of the 1985 Bears that won the Super Bowl by blasting
the New England Patriots. He continued his career until 1987 before
injuries ended it.
Dan Rains’ football career typified the
determination and desire for which Beaver County athletics have
become known. Rains was a three year letterman in three sports –
football, basketball, and track – at Hopewell High School. A
teammate of