The 2018 class of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame has some stellar inductees from the college football ranks.
On Nov. 8, the Florida Sports Hall of Fame will have an enshrinement ceremony for the newest inductees.
This year, the class of 2018 is amazing. FSHOF President Barry Smith said: “Without question, this is one of the most talented, eclectic and accomplished classes in Florida Sports Hall of Fame history.The contributions these individuals have made within their chosen sport, to their communities, the nation and indeed on a worldwide stage, demand recognition and we are honored to welcome them as the newest members of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame.”
Candidates include former University of Florida quarterback and Heisman winner Tim Tebow, former Atlanta Braves player Chipper Jones, and former Florida State running back Warrick Dunn. The 1967 Coral Gables High School football team, once dubbed “The Team of the Century” will be recognized on the 50th anniversary of its national championship.
Former PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem, who was instrumental in popularizing the PGA, will also be honored. Florida State graduate and LPGA star Colleen Walker will be inducted posthumously.
Tim Tebow was a standout star for the Florida Gators. Tebow won the 2007 Heisman Trophy and helped the Gators clinch two national championships. He threw for 9,286 yards, 88 touchdowns, and ran for 2,947 yards and 57 touchdowns during his college career. He is currently playing baseball as part of the New York Mets franchise teams.
Chipper Jones played for the Atlanta Braves for 19 seasons. He had a batting average of .303 with 2,726 hits, 468 home runs and 1,623 runs batted in. Jones won the National League MVP in 1999.
Warrick Dunn set the bar for running backs at Florida State. He was part of the superlative 1993 team in which the Seminoles won their first national title. Dunn ran for 3,953 yards and 37 touchdowns in four years with the Seminoles, He went on to play in the NFL for 12 seasons for both Tampa Bay and Atlanta. In his pro career, Dunn rushed for 10,967 yards and had 49 touchdowns.
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Tim Finchem, a former White House advisor under Jimmy Carter, was the PGA Tour commissioner from 1994-2015. Under his leadership, the tour started the World Golf Championships and the FedEx Cup. The tour grew exponentially under his leadership.
Some of the proceeds from the event will go to hurricane and flood relief in Florida.