Sports
Florida-Georgia Hall Of Fame To Induct Four Greats In 2019
Another exceptional class is set for induction into the 2019 Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
September 26, 2019
Spikes, Jones, Culpepper, and Curran to be honored at Nov. 2 luncheon
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Another exceptional class is set for induction into the 2019 Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Luncheon presented by Miller Electric Company on Friday, Nov. 1, as part of the Florida-Georgia Weekend and Duval’s Bold City Bash.
Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes and defensive lineman Brad Culpepper will join Georgia linebackers Jarvis Jones and Rennie Curran on being inducted at the 24th annual luncheon inside the West Club at TIAA Bank Field.
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“The Florida-Georgia game is one of Jacksonville’s longest running traditions, and one of the most storied rivalries in college football,” said Mayor Lenny Curry. “Every year, the Hall of Fame Luncheon allows us the opportunity to recognize some of the most talented student-athletes and coaches and highlight the tremendous impact and strong connection this game has to our city.”
One of the most decorated linebackers in Florida history, Brandon Spikes helped lead the Gators during one of the most successful periods in school history. Spikes won two National and SEC Championships during his 4 years with the Gators, while collecting numerous individual honors along the way. A two-time consensus first team All-American, he collected 307 total tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss, including 6.5 QB sacks, forced two fumbles, recovered four fumbles and had six interceptions which he returned for 139 yards and four touchdowns in his career. Spikes was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.
Jarvis Jones only played in two Georgia-Florida games, but he made his presence known during each game. In 2011, Jones had four sacks and a forced fumble to lead Georgia to a come from behind victory over the Gators. Jones made an even bigger impact on the 2012 game; a top 10 matchup with the SEC East on the line.
He totaled 13 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles, the last forced fumble occurred with two minutes left in the fourth quarter to seal the win for the Dawgs. Jones was named a two-time consensus first team All-American; first team All-SEC, SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2012 and broke David Pollack’s single season sack record with 14.5. He was drafted in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As a defensive lineman at the University of Florida from 1988-1991, Brad Culpepper was a major part of the Gators resurgence under head coach Steve Spurrier. Culpepper was a team captain on the 1991 SEC Championship team; he was also named a first-team All-SEC selection and a consensus first-team All-American. Culpepper was the true definition of a student-athlete, named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll all four years, was a first-team Academic All-American, and received the Draddy Trophy recognizing him as college football's most outstanding student-athlete. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the 1992 NFL Draft and went on to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Chicago Bears during his NFL career.
Rennie Curran was perceived to be too undersized to make an impact at the University of Georgia, he proved the doubters wrong during his three years with the Dawgs. Curran amassed 298 tackles in his career, including 24 tackles for loss. In 2009, he led the SEC in tackles with 130, collected All-American honors, as well as first team All-SEC honors for the second straight year and was named one of Georgia’s permanent team captains. He was a finalist for the Rotary Lombardi and Chuck Bednarik awards. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the 2010 NFL Draft and is currently a renowned keynote speaker, author and personal development coach.
Hall of Fame tickets presented by RJ Young and table sponsorships for the event are on sale through the City of Jacksonville Sports & Entertainment Office. Contact Chandler Fussell at 904-255-5418 or [email protected] for more information.
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 24-year history of the Hall of Fame there have been 100 people inducted including legendary Gators Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel, Tim Tebow and Fred Taylor, as well as Bulldog legends Vince Dooley, Herschel Walker, David Pollack and Knowshon Moreno. For information, please visit www.FLGAjax.com.
This press release was produced by the City of Jacksonville. The views expressed here are the author’s own.