Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Welcomes Tracy Ham
2/26/2012 5:30:00 AM | Football
MACON, Ga. -- Georgia Southern quarterback Tracy Ham and five other individuals were inducted into the Class of 2012 Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Saturday night at the Macon City Auditorium. The weekend full of activities celebrated the achivements of the inductees and culminated with a ceremony and dinner Saturday night. The distinguished 2012 class included Ham, Jack Bauerle, Sally Smalley Bell, Bob Boylston, Cliff Kimsey and John Smoltz.
Georgia Southern's first football All-American, Ham led the Eagles to back-to-back I-AA national championships in 1985 and 1986 under the tutelage of Coach Erk Russell. Named Atlanta Journal Constitution "College Player of the Year" three consecutive years (1984-1986), he is recognized as one of the greatest collegiate quarterbacks to ever play the game.
Compiling 509 yards of offense and throwing for four touchdowns, Ham led the Eagles to an exciting comeback win for their first national title. He still holds numerous Georgia Southern and NCAA records, including most yards of total offense in a career as an Eagle with 8.969. He finished his career as the first player in NCAA college football history to run for more than 3,000 yards and pass for more than 5,000 yards. His number 8 jersey was retired with Ham the only Eagle to wear that number.
Ham opted to remain a quarterback and play in the Canadian Football League after being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams. A stellar 13-year career in the CFL produced two championships and more records and awards, including selection as league MVP and Most Outstanding Player of the Grey Cup.
