Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Reveals 2019 Inductees to be Honored at June 15 Event in Nashville

NASHVILLE, TN – April 11, 2019 – The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame announced its nine-member 2019 Induction Class today. The star-studded list of honorees includes Kippy Brown, David Cutcliffe, Charles Davis, Kara Lawson, Peyton Manning, George Taliaferro, Bob Tillman, Kimberly Anne Valek and Patrick Willis.

The Hall of Fame previously announced in February that Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk will be honored as its 2019 Tennessean of the Year.

This distinguished collection of individuals will be honored for its impact on Tennessee sports at the 53^rd annual induction ceremony on Saturday, June 15 at the Omni Nashville Hotel.  

University of Tennessee Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer also serves as the Chairman of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

“This is an extraordinary group of athletes and coaches who have truly made an impact in the state of Tennessee—and beyond—through sports,” Fulmer said. “I know and admire many of this year’s honorees, and their accomplishments and legacies certainly will inspire generations to come. This summer’s induction ceremony will be an incredible night.” 

Information regarding tickets for the 2019 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be announced at a later date. Fans can contact The Hall at 615-418-9595 for details.

Established in 1966, the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame honors figures from every sport including basketball, baseball, football, golf, soccer and track & field, along with coaches, teams, sportswriters and others who made an impact.

TSHOF Class of 2019:

Kippy Brown – Sweetwater High School and Memphis State University alum; assistant coach at University of Tennessee; wide receivers coach for the Seattle Seahawks (2010-2014); Super Bowl XLVIII champion; throughout his career, he coached the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, and Detroit Lions.

David Cutcliffe – Offensive assistant, tight end coach, quarterback coach and offensive coordinator at University of Tennessee 1982-1998; head coach for Duke University Blue Devils; won the 1998 Broyles Award; named the 2003 SEC Coach of the Year; named ACC Coach of the Year 2012-2013; and named the 2013 AFCA Coach of the Year.

Charles Davis – Elizabethton, Tennessee native; four-year starter at safety for University of Tennessee (1983-1986); first African-American tournament director in PGA Tour history; game analyst for FOX; covers NFL Network’s live draft weekend coverage.

Kara Lawson – Awarded Torchbearer Award, the highest undergraduate honor at the University of Tennessee; gold medalist at the 2008 Olympics; former American professional women’s basketball player in the WNBA; basketball television analyst for ESPN and the Washington Wizards.

Peyton Manning – University of Tennessee graduate with Phi Beta Kappa honors; NFL’s only five-time Most Valuable Player; 14-time Pro Bowl selection; first starting quarterback in NFL history to win a Super Bowl with two different teams; leader in nearly every statistical passing category; more postseason berths and 300-yard passing games than any quarterback in NFL history.

George Taliaferro, posthumous – Gates, Tennessee native; first African-American drafted by an NFL team; played seven positions in seven NFL seasons: quarterback, running back, wide receiver, punter, kick returner, punt returner and defensive back.

Bob Tillman, posthumous – Nashville, Tennessee native; MLB catcher for Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Atlanta Braves; won the 1967 American League pennant while playing for the Boston Red Sox; won the 1969 National League Western Division with the Atlanta Braves.

Kimberly Anne Valek – Brentwood Academy and the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee alum; inaugural member of the Sewanee Sports Hall of Fame; three-time First-team All-American, Sewanee’s first female All-American; and a four-time All-WIAC.

Patrick Willis – Bruceton, Tennessee native; 2009 Butkus Award winner; 2007 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year winner; eight-year career with the San Francisco 49ers.