Bio

Dennis Reilly arrived at Missouri Valley College in 1971. As a Viking, Dennis was a member of the 1974 football team that finished as the national runner-up. In 1973, he received second team allconference football honors. In 1974, Dennis was voted as the team’s most valuable player, the most valuable defensive back, and was voted as the most valuable player in that year’s homecoming game. Dennis says that some of his best times on the football field were when he served as a “wedge breaker” with fellow MVC Hall of Famer Kevin Hamill.

Dennis graduated from Missouri Valley in 1975 earning a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education with a minor in history. He served as a graduate assistant in 1975 for the football team and was the head tennis coach. In 1978, Dennis signed a football contract with the New York Giants, but was released in the preseason. He taught and coached football at Moberly High School for one year and was a football coach and teacher at Port Richmond High School in New York City.

Dennis was a NYC firefighter from 1983 to 2003, and responded to the attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. He was a professional boxer for 20 years, known as the “Fighting Fireman.” Dennis was featured in a national commercial for Diet Coke with Evander Holyfield shown during the Super Bowl, and he is a current member of the Screen Actors Guild. Dennis published a book in 2011 titled “Jobs Heroes Zeros and Thieves.” All proceeds from the book benefit the New York City Firefighter’s Widows and Children Fund and Wounded Warriors Special Operations.

Dennis says that ,without a doubt, the person that influenced him the most was Head Football Coach Ken Gibler. Dennis says next to his father, Coach Gibler had the greatest influence on his life, and he often quoted Gibler to his students, friends and fellow firefighters.