Jessie Tuggle to be inducted in Georgia’ Hall
Published 11:57 pm Tuesday, October 10, 2006
VALDOSTA — The 2007 Georgia Sports Hall of Fame inductees have been announced, and among them is former Valdosta State and Atlanta Falcons linebacker Jessie Tuggle.
“It feels great man, I would have never imagined it,” said Tuggle after the Blazers beat Southern Arkansas on Saturday. “It’s truly an honor.”
Tuggle spent his whole career playing football in the Peach State.
After coming out of Griffin High School, he played in a small, undeveloped football program at Valdosta State University.
That is when his career started to bloom.
“There used to be talk like, ‘Valdosta, where’s that?’ It’s great to come back now and see where this program is at,” said Tuggle.
While at VSU, Tuggle amassed three All-Gulf South selections, and in 1986 he was named the Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Tuggle became the leading tackler at Valdosta State, a record that still stands, and his No. 88 jersey was retired by the Blazers in 1993.
“Twenty years ago is when I played my last game here, and I was telling the younger guys after the game that I’m so proud of them and what they are doing now,” said Tuggle.
In 1987, Tuggle joined the Atlanta Falcons and made his mark there as well.
It didn’t take long for Tuggle to break out and make offenses wary of his every move.
Tuggle led the National Football League in tackles in both the 1990 and 1991 seasons. He was a Sports Illustrated All-Pro pick in 1991, and in 1992 he went to his first Pro Bowl. Tuggle would make the trip to Honolulu four more times during his career.
Tuggle made the Pro Bowl for the last time after being on the 1998 NFC Championship team. He later retired in 2000, but his name can still be seen in the Georgia Dome, on the Ring of Honor.
After retiring, Tuggle still holds two records in the NFL. He holds the all-time tackle mark for the Falcons with 2,065.
He also holds the NFL record for most fumbles recovered for a touchdown, with five.
With all of his accomplishments it came as no surprise that Tuggle was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.
Everyone besides Tuggle, who had a 14-year career in the NFL, could believe it.
“I got a Call 3 or 4 months ago to let me know I was in the final 35. I was thrilled.
Then last week I got the call and they let me know I was in and I was truly honored,” said Tuggle.
Now with Tuggle making the Georgia Hall of Fame, the light-hearted debate returns. Who’s the best player to ever step on the field at VSU, Tuggle or Chris Hatcher?
Hatcher led the Blazers to numerous victories from the quarterback position and now he is coaching the team to numerous wins.
“I love Hatcher to death, he holds his own,” said Tuggle. “I promise you I will be right there behind him when he makes it, too. The only thing I question is whether he is better at playing football or coaching.”
Just two months ago, Tuggle got to see one of his close family members go into another Hall of Fame, one that he hopes for one day as well. The Professional Football Hall of Fame came calling this past year to former Cowboys defensive lineman Rayfield Wright. Wright is a close family member to Tuggle and he, like many other members of the family, hopes that one day Tuggle will be enshrined in Canton as well.
“Let’s hope so. The other day, my oldest brother, who was in the military for over 20 years, called me. He said, ‘You’re one step away now.’ I said from what, and he said, ‘the NFL Hall.’”
Others to be inducted into the Hall of Fame for 2007 include: Steve Bartkowski (football), Kevin Brown (baseball), Larry Campbell (coach/manager), Russell Ellington (coach/manager), Betty Jaynes (contributor), Guy McIntyre (football), Don Richardson (coach/manager), and John Tutt (coach/manager).
The Class of 2007 now makes the total number of members in the GSHF, 353.
The 2007 Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 19, 2007. It will be in the Macon City Auditorium, and those with questions can contact the Hall at (478) 752-1585, extension 101 or 102.