NASHVILLE, TN – April 19, 2023 – University of Tennessee Football Legend and former NFL All-Pro Eric Berry has been named as the 12th and final member of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2023. On behalf of sponsor Tennessee Lottery, the Hall offers free admission at their downtown Nashville location Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
*Image used with permission from Tennessee Athletics Department
“Eric Berry was a heralded football player at every level of competition, and he is an incredibly worthy inductee,” said Brad Willis, Executive Director of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. “Eric’s play, however, is only part of his story, and he inspired millions with his fight with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and his return to football just one year later. We’re very excited to have Eric Berry as part of our 2023 Class of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.”
Berry was born in Fairburn, Georgia, and attended Creekside High School, where he played football and ran track. Coming out of high school, Berry was ranked the #3 player in the nation. Berry attended the University of Tennessee from 2007-2009, where his play earned him All-SEC honors in 2008 and 2009, unanimous All-American picks in 2008 and 2009, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2008, the Jack Tatum Award in 2008 and 2009, and the Jim Thorpe Award in 2009. Berry declared for the NFL Draft following his Junior season and was selected fifth overall by the Kansas City Chiefs. Berry played 9 seasons for the Chiefs, becoming a 3 time All-Pro, and a 5 time Pro Bowler. In 2014, Berry was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and would miss the remainder of the season. He would return in 2015, and would be named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Berry was released by the Chiefs in 2019, after an Achilles injury cost him large portions of the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
Berry joins former Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck, former Memphis Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph, former Tennessee Volunteer and NFL lineman John Henderson, former Nashville Predators Captain Mike Fisher, Memphis Football linebacker Tim Harris, Vanderbilt basketball trailblazer and former TSU Athletics Director Teresa Lawrence Phillips, MTSU baseball legend Steve Smith, golfer Loren Roberts, Bristol Motor Speedway Co-Founder Carl R. Moore, ETSU Basketball Coach and Athletics Director Les Robinson, and Lady Vol Track star and Olympic Gold Medalist Tianna Madison as 2023 Inductees.
The 2023 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, presented by the Tennessee Titans, will be held Saturday, July 22nd at the Omni Nashville Downtown. Ticket information will be announced in the coming days.
About the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame
Established in 1966, the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Tennessee Lottery, enshrines and honors athletes, teams, coaches, sports writers and sports administrators who have made an impact on the history of Tennessee sports. The Hall serves as a platform to connect athletes, coaches, sports fans, and supporters by acknowledging life achievements implemented through sports. The Hall celebrates athletes of all forms, from all across the state. Additionally, Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame aspires to educate youth about the importance of healthy habits and the positive impact they have on lifestyle choices. The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame is located at 501 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203. For more information, visit www.tshf.net.
About the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation
The Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation operates entirely from the revenue it generates through the sale of its products. Since January 20, 2004, the Lottery has raised more than $6 billion to fund designated education programs, including college grants, scholarships, Drive to 55 initiatives and after-school programs. In addition to the educational beneficiaries, players have won more than $16.5 billion in prizes and Lottery retailers have earned more than $1.5 billion in commissions. For additional information, visit tnlottery.com and follow the TEL on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
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