Vols legendary safety Eric Berry will be back in Knoxville on Saturday to watch Tennessee football take on Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium.
Berry’s visit will include a halftime ceremony honoring the former Vol and 2023 College Football Hall of Fame elect. The National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame will jointly honor Berry with a plaque at halftime.
Berry will spend time with the team on Friday before being honored on Saturday during halftime of the Vols’ 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff against Texas A&M.
“Whether he was in college or he was in the NFL — dominant, dynamic playmaker that changed the way the game was played in the middle of the football field,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said. “He played violently, he played downhill. Just one of the best to ever play the position. I feel that way in college but also at the next level.”
Defensive back Eric Berry #14 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN. Nov. 10, 2007. Photo by Tennessee Athletics
The NFF and College Football Hall of Fame will present Berry with a plaque which will be displayed permanently at Tennessee. He will become the 22nd Vol to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Including Berry’s 18-player class, the Hall of Fame only holds 1,074 players — less than 0.02% of players all-time.
Berry found a lot of success at Tennessee, helping lead the Vols to two bowl berths and an SEC East title in 2007. He was a Freshman All-American that season.
“A two-time unanimous First Team All-American, Eric Berry quickly etched his name among the all-time greats in Tennessee history with his acrobatic interceptions and defensive prowess,” Steve Hatchell, NFF president and CEO, said. “We are thrilled to honor him at Neyland Stadium as a member of the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Class.”
Berry brought home the Jim Thorpe Award in 2009 — an award given annually to the nation’s top defensive back. Known for being a ball hawk, Berry led the Vols in interceptions in 2007 and 2008.
He capped off his successful college career with 245 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and 14 interceptions.
“I ain’t going to lie, that’s going to be a great experience,” safety Wesley Walker said of Berry returning to Knoxville. “I remember being a kid watching him play up here. I never got to meet him. He’s coming to the game, so I want to put on a show for him. Make him proud. He came here to this game, be happy with everything that we’re doing.”
Berry was drafted fifth overall in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. He played with the Chiefs until 2018.
The safety earned 2015 NFL Comeback Player of the Year after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2014. Since his retirement, Berry returned home to Fairborn, Georgia, and he currently works as an entrepreneur.
Berry founded The Eric Berry Foundation in 2011. The foundation focuses on providing children with safe environments to participate in sports.
Berry has also been a strong supporter and has donated more than $100,000 to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
“His instincts were off the charts,” defensive coordinator Tim Banks said. “He just played so fast, and you could feel the energy and the passion when he made plays. All the players that have come back and talked about him talk about his leadership skills, as well, particularly on the field.
“It is a tremendous honor for him, and we talk about him a lot in the recruiting process. He set the standard of what a defensive back looks like as a Vol, so we are trying to recruit those types of guys. He was definitely a pleasure to watch, and it is great to have him on our sideline this weekend.”
