Mariposa Grizzly football supporters can celebrate Logan Mankins’ Fresno State Ring of Honor Induction

By Dan Tucker

Grizzly Football supporters are invited to join in celebrating former Fresno State standout Logan Mankins, who hails from Cathey’s Valley, as he is inducted into the Fresno State Football Ring of Honor during the Bulldogs’ homecoming game against arch-rival Boise State at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Valley Children’s Stadium in Fresno.

Special group-rate tickets are available for the event. Tickets may be purchased online at: https://gofan.co/event/6768285?schoolld-CA16947

Organizers noted that only 50 tickets for local supporters are available. The event is not school sponsored, and transportation is the responsibility of each attendee.

“This is a special opportunity for our community to come together and recognize one of Mariposa County’s own,” a Grizzly Football representative said. “Logan Mankins’ career is a reminder of what hard work, toughness and commitment can lead to, and we hope local fans will be there to help honor him.”

Fresno State official mascot.

The ceremony will take place at halftime of the Fresno State vs. Boise State football game, recognizing Mankins as one of the most accomplished linemen in Bulldog history and the first offensive lineman ever selected for the program’s Ring of Honor.

Mankins played at Fresno State from 2000 to 2004, developing from a lightly recruited athlete from Mariposa County High School into one of the nation’s top offensive linemen. He started 40 consecutive games at left tackle, earned first-team All-Western Athletic Conference honors in 2004, and was named a second-team All-American as a senior. During his college career, he allowed only three quarterback sacks and became the first offensive lineman in Fresno State history to win the team’s Most Valuable Player award.

After his Fresno State career, Mankins was selected by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft with the 32nd overall pick. He played 11 seasons in the NFL, spending nine years with New England and two with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Known for his toughness, consistency and leadership, Mankins started all 161 regular-season games in which he appeared, was selected to seven Pro Bowls, earned multiple All-Pro honors and was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.

For local fans, the Oct. 10 game offers a chance to honor a local player whose career began in the Central Valley and grew into one of the most respected offensive-line résumés in professional football.