Tim Couch will be honored by Hall of Fame during Kentucky-Georgia game

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Former Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in December. But before his name is officially enshrined in the record books, the Bluegrass native will first be recognized at Kroger Field this weekend.

Kentucky and The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame will jointly honor Couch, who won SEC Player of the Year in 1998 with the Wildcats, during Kentucky’s home game against No. 1 Georgia on Saturday. He’ll accept a Hall of Fame plaque during the on-field celebration, which will remain on permanent display at UK. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. EST.

After a long wait, Couch will finally enter the College Football Hall of Fame this winter. Considering he set endless school records and even several NCAA records, it was about time. He joins a 2024 class that features the likes of Larry Fitzgerald (Pittsburgh), Randy Moss (Marshall), Julius Peppers (North Carolina), and many more.

“So happy for Tim. For him to be recognized into the Hall of Fame, what an incredible honor,” Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops said on Thursday. “It’s a very special group that Tim is getting inducted to. Well deserved. Maybe a couple of years too late, but that’s okay. What an honor it is for him. We’re proud of him, he’s been a close friend and a guy I can rely on. A guy that’s there no matter what we need. Just greatly appreciate Tim, his support, he’s always there.”

Couch becomes the sixth Kentucky player to enter the College Football Hall of Fame, joining Bob Gain (1947-50), Babe Parilli (1949-51), Steve Meilinger (1951-53), Lou Michaels (1955-57), and Art Still (1974-77). Coaches Paul “Bear” Bryant and Jerry Claiborne have also been inducted into the HOF.

Considered the most decorated player in program history, Couch thrived under the game-changing Air Raid offense in Lexington. He broke out as a sophomore in 1997, making the All-SEC Second Team while helping the Wildcats beat Alabama for the first time in 75 years. The Leslie County product was even better as a junior in 1998, finishing fourth in Heisman voting before going on to be the NFL’s No. 1 pick in 1999.

“I’ll tell you, I was very relieved when they broke the news and told me I was going in,” Couch said in January after learning of his induction into the Hall of Fame. “It’s just an unbelievable honor, one that you never dream of when you’re actually in the moment playing this game. You just want to be the best teammate you can be and you’re trying to go out there and win football games. You never dream of something like this happening. So, it’s definitely an overwhelming feeling.”

Couch has already been admitted into the UK Athletics Hall of Fame and has his #2 jersey retired by the school. Soon, he’ll be enshrined as one of the best college football players of all time. If you’re planning to make the trip to Kroger Field on Saturday, make sure to give him a big ovation.

The 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Dec. 10.