Jesse Tuggle

Georgia Sports Hall of Fame inductee Jessie Tuggle was selected for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.
 
Tuggle was selected through the Divisional Class category that considers players and coaches from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA), Divisions II, III and the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics). 

The Griffin, Georgia native played at Division II Valdosta State University (Ga.) from 1983 – 1986 earning the Gulf South Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1986.  He was also a First Team All-American and three-time All-Conference selection. 

Other selected from the Divisional Class include Georgia Southern University star, Tracy Ham, Kentucky State University quarterback Joe “Tarzan” Kendall, and Bloomsburg University linebacker Frank Sheptock.  Legendary coaches Jim Christopherson (Concordia College) and William “Billy” Joe (Florida A&M, Central State and Cheyney University) were also chosen. 

Tuggle’s  No. 88 was retired by VSU in 1993, and he was inducted into its hall of fame in 1997.  “The Hammer” received a distinguished alumnus honor in 2002 and VSU’s workout facility is named in his honor. 

Tuggle will be inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame on May 19, 2007 at the Macon City Auditorium with Steve Bartkowski, Larry Campbell, Betty Jaynes, Don Richardson, John Tutt, Russell Ellington, Guy McIntyre, and Kevin Brown. 

For more information on the 2007 GSHF Induction Ceremony, please call (478) 752-1585 or visit www.gshf.org.