Tennessee announced today that Vol legend and and future NFL Hall of Famer Peyton Manning will be honored at halftime of the Vols’ game against Georgia this season.
Manning was announced as an inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame back in January, and the National Football Foundation wants to honor him during the Vols’ season this year. Manning will be honored at midfield during halftime and will receive an “on-campus salute” during the ceremony to commemorate his selection into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Peyton Manning joins 22 other Vol inductees into the College Football Hall of Fame. Tennessee has more players in the Hall of Fame than any other SEC school and ranks among the top 10 in the entire country in inductees.
“Peyton Manning’s college football accomplishments clearly rank him among the greatest of all-time,” said Stephen Hatchell, President and CEO of the NFF via a press release. “And his record on the field, in the classroom and as a leader in the community unquestionably makes him a powerful ambassador for our game. Adding ‘Hall of Famer’ to his accolades as an NFF William V. Campbell Trophy winner and NFF National Scholar-Athlete only adds to our ability to hold him out as an example for the next generation to emulate. We are extremely excited about honoring him this fall during his On-Campus Salute in Knoxville.”
Manning has also requested that every one of Tennessee’s living College Football Hall of Fame inductees join him at midfield during the ceremony. And new Tennessee athletic director John Currie appreciates that sentiment.
“Peyton is one of this university and athletic program’s finest ambassadors,” Currie said via a press release. “Honoring him at our Georgia game this fall provides our fans with a wonderful opportunity to celebrate not only his induction into the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, but also the incredible impact he continues to make across Big Orange Nation.
“The fact that he has asked all of our living Hall of Famers to share in this moment is very special and illustrates why he is so admired and revered amongst the Tennessee faithful.”
Tennessee plays Georgia on September 30th. The kickoff time has yet to be announced.
