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Meet the 2026 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame class

Meet the 2026 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame class

Meet the 2026 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame class
Xavier Board, Nashville TennesseanThu, Jul 9, 2026·7 min read

The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will have its induction banquet held at the Omni Nashville Hotel on Saturday, July 11 at 6 p.m.

This year's class will feature 15 inductees. Here's are the award winners, followed by what you should know about the 2026 class.

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Monica Abbott was the most dominant pitcher in Tennessee softball history. She won 189 career games, the most in Division I history at the time, was a three-time SEC pitcher of the year and a three-time USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year finalist, winning the award 2007. Abbott earned silver medals for her play with Team USA at the 2008 Beijing and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The former Oak Ridge High School standout starred at Stanford University, winning multiple Pac-10 championships. Her success expanded at the international level and WNBA where she won Olympic and World Championship gold medals with USA basketball while playing for the Detroit Shock, Utah Starzz and San Antonio Silver Stars. Azzi retired from professional basketball in 2004 and moved into coaching from 2010-16. She was inducted into the Women's Basketball hall of Fame in 2009.

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Matt Cain was a star pitcher at Houston High and was selected No. 25 overall by the San Francisco Giants in the 2022 MLB Draft. He was nicknamed "The Horse" because of his workhorse-like mentality and became the youngest player to ever make his Major League debut at 20 years old in 2005. He won 104 games and struck out 1,694 batters with a 3.68 lifetime ERA before retiring in 2017.

Jerry Caldwell began work at Bristol Motor Speedway as an intern in 1997 before becoming the general manager in 2010 and president in 2022. He was part of such monumental events as the "Battle at Bristol," the Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech football game as well as the Speedway Classic, the 2025 MLB game between the Atlanta Braves and Reds at Bristol Motor Speedway.

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Mike Clary's legacy was built on longevity as one of the most successful multi-sport administrative figures in NCAA Division III history. He started coaching Rhodes College Track and field, swimming and diving, football and women's golf teams during the early 1980s while simultaneously becoming the athletic director in 1990.

Cobb was an powerful, explosive running back who shared the field with Charles McRae and Antone Davis during his time at Tennessee He rushed for more than 2,300 yards and becoming one of the school's all-time leaders in rushing touchdowns. Cobb was drafted in the second round by the Tampa Buccaneers in the 1990 NFL Draft and rushed for more than 3,700 yards in his career.

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Antone Davis dominated opposing defenders as a vital piece to the Volunteers offensive line in the late 1980s. He helped Tennessee win consecutive SEC championships in 1989 and 1990, winning a unanimous All-American award and the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the SEC'S Best Blocker and was an Outland Trophy finalist. Davis was selected No. 8 overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1991 NFL Draft and played 97 games in seven seasons.

Kermit Davis won more than 300 victories as the Middle Tennessee State men's basketball coach, the highest mark in the history of its basketball program. His most notable moment came in the midst of his coaching dominance when No. 15-seed MTSU shocked second seed Michigan State in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament. He most recently coached at Ole Miss from 2018-2023.

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Marc Gasol was a key contributor for Spain's national team and the Memphis Grizzlies, earning a 2013 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in Memphis and winning multiple Olympic and FIBA World Cup medals. Gasol attended Lausanne Collegiate in Memphis and won Tennessee's Division II Mr. Basketball in 2003. He averaged 14.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists in his NBA career.

Bubba Luckett was one of the most prestigious players and head coaches in Memphis high school basketball history. He set 12 different school-records as a player at Christian Brothers High School, which includes holding the record for most points scored in a game (44), season (601) and career (1,677). As a coach, Luckett won five different local and national coach of the year awards at his alma mater and won more than 700 games along with the 2022 DII-AA state championship after going 28-0.

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Charles McRae carved out a dominant Volunteers career of his own as a force on the offensive line from 1987-90. He was teammates with Davis, who were picked right after each other in 1991 and made history as the first two offensive tackles selected in the top-10 of the NFL Draft (McRae No. 7 overall). McRae played five seasons at tackle and guard with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and one with the Oakland Raiders during his professional career.

Ron Mercer was recognized for his basketball dominance across all levels. He was a two-time Tennessee Mr. Basketball at Goodpasture Christian before transferring to Oak Hill and becoming one of the most highly recruited players in the nation. Mercer played two seasons at Kentucky and is known for his crucial 20-point performance as a freshman in a victory during the 1996 national championship game. Mercer was a SEC Player of the Year before he was drafted sixth overall by the Boston Celtics in 1997. Mercer scored 5,892 career points in the NBA.

Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats prepares to cut the net after beating the Syracuse Orangemen, 76-67, in the final at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)
Goodpasture High sophomore Ron Mercer, left, and junior Drew Maddux pose together at the school's gym Jan. 7, 1993. The M&M boys are drawing such college coaches as Kentucky's Rick Pitino to the small school to check them out. (Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean)
Ron Mercer, Goodpasture High (1992-94): Here, Mercer, right, goes up for two points despite the tight pressure from a Trenton Peabody High defender in the quarterfinal of the TSSAA Class A state tournament at Middle Tennessee State’s Murphy Center in Murfreesboro on March 16, 1994. (Bill Steber / The Tennessean)
Goodpasture High's Ron Mercer tip in a missed shot for a basket, but Mercer and teammates lost to Waverly High 76-63 at home Jan. 27, 1993. (Freeman Ramsey / The Tennessean)
7 Mar 1997: Forward Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats sits on the bench during a playoff game against the Auburn Tigers at the Pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee. Kentucky won the game 92 - 50. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport (Getty Images)
BOSTON, : Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers (L) moves for the ball against Ron Mercer of the Boston Celtics 26 November at the Fleet Center in Boston, MA. AFP PHOTO/John MOTTERN (Photo credit should read JOHN MOTTERN/AFP via Getty Images) (AFP via Getty Images)
Ron Mercer played for the Tennessee Travelers, now a member of Nike’s Elite Youth Basketball League, before going on to Kentucky. (Copyright 1997 The Courier-Journal)
Ron Mercer, put up a shot high above Minnesota's Eric Harris. (The Courier-Journal)
Goodpasture High standouts Drew Maddux, left, and Ron Mercer pose in the school’s locker room on Nov. 10, 1993. Maddux just signed a grant-in-aid with Vanderbilt and Mercer, a junior, must sit out the first seven games of the season because he participated in a Nike all-star game. (Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean)
Goodpasture High eight-grade wunderkind Ron Mercer fires a pitch against a Brentwood Academy batter in the first round of the TSSAA District 11-AA tournament at David Lipscomb University May 6, 1991. Mercer held Brentwood Academy to just one hit through five innings for 5-0 lead, but his team faltered and loss 7-5 in the double-elimination action. (Delores Delvin / The Tennessean)
21 Mar 1996: Head coach Rick Pitino of the University of Kentucky talks to player Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats during their 101-70 victory over the Utah Utes in the NCAA Men''s Basketball Regional finals at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Getty Images)
Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats goes up for two against Dana Dingel of the Massachusetts Minutemen during the 1996 NCAA Final Four semifinal game at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, N.J. Kentucky won the game, 81-74. (Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)
29 Mar 1997: Forward Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball over the head of a Minnesota Golden Gopher during a NCAA Final Four game at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. Kentucky won the game 78 - 69. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Al (Brian Bahr, Getty Images)
20 Mar 1997: Forward Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats drives to the basket as forward Dmitri Domani defends him during a playoff game at the San Jose Arena in San Jose, California. The Wildcats won the game 83 - 68.. (Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images)
8 Mar 1997: Forward Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats runs down the court during a playoff game against the Mississippi Rebels at the Pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee. Kentucky won the game 88 - 70. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport (Andy Lyons, Getty Images)
8 Mar 1997: Forward Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats looking on during a playoff game against the Mississippi Rebels at the Pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee. Kentucky won the game 88 - 70. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport (Andy Lyons, Getty Images)
22 Mar 1997: Guard Ben Caton of the Utah Utes tries to block the jump shot of foward Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats during a playoff game at the San Jose Arena in San Jose, California. The Wildcats won the game 72 - 59. Mandatory Credit: Todd Warsh (Todd Warshaw, Getty Images)
15 Mar 1997: Forward Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats slam dunks a ball during a playoff game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Wildcats won the game 75 - 69. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule Jr. /Alls (Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images)
15 Mar 1997: Forward Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats drives to the basket as teammate forward Jared Prickett and guard Kent McCausland of the Iowa Hawkeyes watch during a playoff game at the Jon M. Huntsman in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Wildcats the (Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images)
29 Mar 1997: Forward Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats dribbles the ball as a member of the Minnesota Golden Gophers guards him during an NCAA Final Four game at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. Kentucky won the game 78 - 69. Mandatory Credit: Br (Brian Bahr, Getty Images)
29 Mar 1997: Forward Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots a jump shot as guards Quincy Lewis and Bobby Jackson of the Minnesota Golden Gophers try to block him during an NCAA Final Four game at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. Kentucky won th (Brian Bahr, Getty Images)
3 Dec 1996: Forward Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats moves the ball during a game of the Great 8 Tournament against the Purdue Boilermakers at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Kentucky won the game, 101-87. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel / (Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
CHICAGO - OCTOBER 31: Guard Ron Mercer #5 of the Chicago Bulls passes over guard Reggie Miller #31 of the Indiana Pacers during the NBA game at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois on October 31, 2001. The Pacers won 98-73. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2001 NBAE (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
31 Dec 2001: Guard Ron Mercer #5 of the Chicago Bulls posts up guard Michael Redd #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the NBA game at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Bucks 90-83.Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images (Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES: Ron Mercer (R) of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket past Toni Kukoc (C) and Scottie Pippen (L) of the Chicago Bulls 23 March during the first half of their game at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. AFP PHOTO Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) (JEFF HAYNES, AFP via Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - FEBRUARY 5: Ron Mercer #1 of the New Jersey Nets advances the ball upcourt during the game against the Philadelphia Sixers on February 7, 2005 at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) (Jim McIsaac, Getty Images)
Orlando Magic's newly acquired guard Ron Mercer (R) goes around Indiana Pacers' guard Reggie Miller (L) for two points during the first period of the game at the Arena 05 February 2000 in Orlando, FL. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO/Tony RANZE (Photo by TONY RANZE / AFP) (Photo credit should read TONY RANZE/AFP via Getty Images) (TONY RANZE, AFP via Getty Images)
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Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats prepares to cut the net after beating the Syracuse Orangemen, 76-67, in the final at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

Goodpasture High sophomore Ron Mercer, left, and junior Drew Maddux pose together at the school's gym Jan. 7, 1993. The M&M boys are drawing such college coaches as Kentucky's Rick Pitino to the small school to check them out. (Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

Ron Mercer, Goodpasture High (1992-94): Here, Mercer, right, goes up for two points despite the tight pressure from a Trenton Peabody High defender in the quarterfinal of the TSSAA Class A state tournament at Middle Tennessee State’s Murphy Center in Murfreesboro on March 16, 1994. (Bill Steber / The Tennessean)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

Goodpasture High's Ron Mercer tip in a missed shot for a basket, but Mercer and teammates lost to Waverly High 76-63 at home Jan. 27, 1993. (Freeman Ramsey / The Tennessean)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

7 Mar 1997: Forward Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats sits on the bench during a playoff game against the Auburn Tigers at the Pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee. Kentucky won the game 92 - 50. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport (Getty Images)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

BOSTON, : Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers (L) moves for the ball against Ron Mercer of the Boston Celtics 26 November at the Fleet Center in Boston, MA. AFP PHOTO/John MOTTERN (Photo credit should read JOHN MOTTERN/AFP via Getty Images) (AFP via Getty Images)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

Ron Mercer played for the Tennessee Travelers, now a member of Nike’s Elite Youth Basketball League, before going on to Kentucky. (Copyright 1997 The Courier-Journal)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

Ron Mercer, put up a shot high above Minnesota's Eric Harris. (The Courier-Journal)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

Goodpasture High standouts Drew Maddux, left, and Ron Mercer pose in the school’s locker room on Nov. 10, 1993. Maddux just signed a grant-in-aid with Vanderbilt and Mercer, a junior, must sit out the first seven games of the season because he participated in a Nike all-star game. (Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

Goodpasture High eight-grade wunderkind Ron Mercer fires a pitch against a Brentwood Academy batter in the first round of the TSSAA District 11-AA tournament at David Lipscomb University May 6, 1991. Mercer held Brentwood Academy to just one hit through five innings for 5-0 lead, but his team faltered and loss 7-5 in the double-elimination action. (Delores Delvin / The Tennessean)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

21 Mar 1996: Head coach Rick Pitino of the University of Kentucky talks to player Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats during their 101-70 victory over the Utah Utes in the NCAA Men''s Basketball Regional finals at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Getty Images)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats goes up for two against Dana Dingel of the Massachusetts Minutemen during the 1996 NCAA Final Four semifinal game at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, N.J. Kentucky won the game, 81-74. (Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

29 Mar 1997: Forward Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball over the head of a Minnesota Golden Gopher during a NCAA Final Four game at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. Kentucky won the game 78 - 69. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Al (Brian Bahr, Getty Images)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

20 Mar 1997: Forward Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats drives to the basket as forward Dmitri Domani defends him during a playoff game at the San Jose Arena in San Jose, California. The Wildcats won the game 83 - 68.. (Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

8 Mar 1997: Forward Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats runs down the court during a playoff game against the Mississippi Rebels at the Pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee. Kentucky won the game 88 - 70. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport (Andy Lyons, Getty Images)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

8 Mar 1997: Forward Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats looking on during a playoff game against the Mississippi Rebels at the Pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee. Kentucky won the game 88 - 70. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport (Andy Lyons, Getty Images)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

22 Mar 1997: Guard Ben Caton of the Utah Utes tries to block the jump shot of foward Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats during a playoff game at the San Jose Arena in San Jose, California. The Wildcats won the game 72 - 59. Mandatory Credit: Todd Warsh (Todd Warshaw, Getty Images)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

15 Mar 1997: Forward Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats slam dunks a ball during a playoff game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Wildcats won the game 75 - 69. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule Jr. /Alls (Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

15 Mar 1997: Forward Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats drives to the basket as teammate forward Jared Prickett and guard Kent McCausland of the Iowa Hawkeyes watch during a playoff game at the Jon M. Huntsman in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Wildcats the (Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

29 Mar 1997: Forward Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats dribbles the ball as a member of the Minnesota Golden Gophers guards him during an NCAA Final Four game at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. Kentucky won the game 78 - 69. Mandatory Credit: Br (Brian Bahr, Getty Images)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

29 Mar 1997: Forward Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots a jump shot as guards Quincy Lewis and Bobby Jackson of the Minnesota Golden Gophers try to block him during an NCAA Final Four game at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. Kentucky won th (Brian Bahr, Getty Images)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

3 Dec 1996: Forward Ron Mercer of the Kentucky Wildcats moves the ball during a game of the Great 8 Tournament against the Purdue Boilermakers at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Kentucky won the game, 101-87. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel / (Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

CHICAGO - OCTOBER 31: Guard Ron Mercer #5 of the Chicago Bulls passes over guard Reggie Miller #31 of the Indiana Pacers during the NBA game at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois on October 31, 2001. The Pacers won 98-73. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2001 NBAE (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

31 Dec 2001: Guard Ron Mercer #5 of the Chicago Bulls posts up guard Michael Redd #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the NBA game at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Bucks 90-83.Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images (Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

CHICAGO, UNITED STATES: Ron Mercer (R) of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket past Toni Kukoc (C) and Scottie Pippen (L) of the Chicago Bulls 23 March during the first half of their game at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. AFP PHOTO Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) (JEFF HAYNES, AFP via Getty Images)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - FEBRUARY 5: Ron Mercer #1 of the New Jersey Nets advances the ball upcourt during the game against the Philadelphia Sixers on February 7, 2005 at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) (Jim McIsaac, Getty Images)

Ron Mercer, basketball star at Kentucky from Nashville, retired from NBA

Orlando Magic's newly acquired guard Ron Mercer (R) goes around Indiana Pacers' guard Reggie Miller (L) for two points during the first period of the game at the Arena 05 February 2000 in Orlando, FL. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO/Tony RANZE (Photo by TONY RANZE / AFP) (Photo credit should read TONY RANZE/AFP via Getty Images) (TONY RANZE, AFP via Getty Images)

David Price, a former Blackman High standout, is Vanderbilt baseball's all-time leader in strikeouts and had one of best single seasons in college baseball history in 2007. He swept every major award honor including the Golden Spikes Award (best amateur player), the Dick Howser Trophy (national player of the year) and the Roger Clemens Award (best pitcher), while leading his team to its first SEC regular season and tournament titles. Price was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 by the Tampa Bay Rays. He earned five All-Star selections, the 2012 American League Cy Young and a 2018 World Series championship with the Red Sox.

Peter Weber has been the play-by-play commentator for the Nashville Predators since their first season in 1998. He became one of the most notable figures in the NHL radio scene next to his commentary partner Terry Crisp. Weber has called more than 2,000 games as a broadcaster, including work with the Buffalo Bills in the NFL, the Seattle Supersonics in the NBA and professional bowling. He was inducted into the Nashville Predators Golden Hall in 2025 and still calls Predator hockey games.

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Jason Witten, a former Elizabethton High standout, was a standout tight end at Tennessee before being taken in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. He spent 17 seasons in the NFL, catching more than 1,200 passes for more than 13,000 receiving yards in his career. Witten was awarded the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2012.

The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame will also honor several others for their achievement this past year.

Tennessean of the Year: Candice Lee, Vanderbilt

Pat Summitt Lifetime Achievement: Rick Insell, MTSU

David Williams Significant Achievement: Dylan and Carter Nutt

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Pro Athlete of the Year: Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans

Pro Team of the Year: Nashville SC

Amateur Athletes of the Year: Maya Johnson, Belmont; Karlyn Pickens, Tennessee; Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt

Amateur Teams of the Year: Vanderbilt women's basketball, Freed-Hardeman men's basketball

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Meet the 2026 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame class