Three iconic players and one coach in Florida-Georgia history will be inducted into the 2023 Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame at the Induction Ceremony and Luncheon presented by Miller Electric Company on Friday, October 27 at noon inside the East Club at EverBank Stadium.
Florida Gators players Earnest Graham and Joe Haden, Georgia Bulldogs player Terrence Edwards and Coach Mark Richt are set to be inducted at the annual Luncheon.
Earnest Graham Jr. emerged as one of Florida's elite running backs. He holds a prominent place in Gators history with school records in 33 rushing touchdowns and 3,065 career rushing yards. His versatility extends to 3,468 all-purpose yards and nine career 100-yard rushing games, tying for fifth in school history. A key player in multiple seasons, he led the 1999 squad with 654 yards, the 2001 team with 650 yards, and the 2002 team with 1,085 yards. He stands as the sole player in school history with three 100-yard rushing games and an average of 135 yards per bowl game. Transitioning to the NFL, Graham signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003 and remained with the team through 2011.
Joe Haden made history as the first true freshman to start at cornerback on UF's opening day in 2007. Starting all 40 games at cornerback for the Gators, Haden concluded his college career with impressive stats including 218 total tackles, 157 solo, 34 pass breakups, eight interceptions, and 3.5 sacks. As the tenth overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns and after a successful seven seasons with the team, Haden showcased his talents with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In a fitting conclusion, he announced his retirement on September 21, 2022, signing a one-day contract with the Cleveland Browns.
Terrence Edwards left a mark during his four-year tenure with the Georgia Bulldogs. Edwards dominated, leading the team in receiving for four consecutive seasons. His senior year showcased record-breaking achievements including most career receptions (204), single season receiving yards (1,004 in 2002), career receiving yards (3,093), and career touchdown receptions (30). Edwards continued his success in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons before a nine-season stint in the CFL, ultimately retiring with 508 receptions, 7,637 yards, and 47 touchdowns.
Mark Richt, a beloved figure in college football, is not only a dedicated husband and father, but also a motivational speaker, philanthropist, and author. During his UGA tenure from 2001-2015, Richt achieved a remarkable record of 145-51 and was named SEC Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2005. He led the team to two SEC championships, an impressive 15 consecutive bowl games, and eight top ten final national poll finishes. Richt has received numerous accolades including 2017 ACC Coach of the Year, 2017 Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award, 2022 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Hall of Fame, 2023 Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, and the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame.
Tickets for the 2023 Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Luncheon presented by Miller Electric Company are on sale now at
https://bit.ly/FLGA23HoF.
About the Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Luncheon presented by Miller Electric Company: Created in 1995, the Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame honors and recognizes the memorable players, coaches, and administrators involved in the long-standing rivalry. Over the Hall of Fame history, there have been over 100 people inducted including legendary Gators Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel, Tim Tebow and Fred Taylor, as well as Bulldogs legends Vince Dooley, Herschel Walker, David Pollack and Knowshon Moreno. For more information, visit https://flgajax.com/.
About the City of Jacksonville Division of Sports and Entertainment: The City of Jacksonville Division of Sports and Entertainment attracts, hosts and creates opportunities that drive economic impact, accelerate the Jacksonville brand and improve the quality of life and cultural engagement for visitors and residents. Jacksonville hosts hundreds of diverse events each year making Northeast Florida a premier destination with rich tradition and world-class hospitality. For more information, visit events.coj.net.