Tennessee Titans great Jevon Kearse going into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame

Mike Organ, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read
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Tennessee Titans great Jevon Kearse will be enshrined into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

Kearse became the first member of the 2022 class announced Friday night during a pep rally in downtown Nashville before the Titans AFC divisional playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals Saturday (3:30 CT, p.m. CBS) at Nissan Stadium.

Brad Willis, executive director of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, called Kearse on stage and surprised him during the pep rally with the announcement of his induction.

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jevon Kearse (90) leaps in the air as officials ruled that teammates Kevin Dyson kickoff return was a touchdown and they defeated the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card game Jan. 8, 2000.
Tennessee Titans defensive end Jevon Kearse (90) leaps in the air as officials ruled that teammates Kevin Dyson kickoff return was a touchdown and they defeated the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card game Jan. 8, 2000.

"The very first player drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 1999, the Freak and the man who absolutely led this defense to new heights, I'm here to night to tell you that you've been selected for induction into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame," Willis said.

Fellow hall of famer and Titans running back great Eddie George and several others congratulated Kearse on stage after the announcement.

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Kearse, 45, a rookie defensive end at the time, and George helped lead the Titans to Super Bowl 34. Kearse was the defensive rookie of the year in 1999.

Kearse went on to play 11 seasons in the NFL including two stints with the Titans from 1999-2003 and 2008-2009. He played with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2004-2007.

Kearse was a first team All-Pro in 1999 and three-time Pro Bowler (1999, 2000 and 2001). He finished his career with 336 tackles and 74 sacks.

The full 2022 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Class will be released in the coming weeks.

Information regarding tickets for the 2022 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be announced at a later date.

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Titans Jevon Kearse going into Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame