Temple University Athletics
Paul Palmer Named to Hall of Fame Ballot
3.12.08 | Football
March 12, 2008
PHILADELPHIA - Former Temple football standout Paul Palmer (1983-86) has been named one of 75 players on the 2008 Football Bowl Subdivision ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation (NFF) announced Tuesday evening.
A running back, Palmer was a 1986 unanimous first-team All-America selection. As a senior under coach Bruce Arians in 1986, he led the nation in rushing yards (1,866), rushing yards per game (169.6), and all-purpose yards (2,633). Palmer finished as the runner-up for the prestigious Heisman Trophy and Maxwell Trophy. He also earned MVP honors at the Blue-Gray Game and the Hula Bowl.
As a junior, Palmer set 15 school records en route to second-team UPI and Honorable Mention Associated Press All-America honors. He garnered co-ECAC Player of the Year accolades. As a true freshman in 1983, Palmer was named the ECAC Rookie of the Year and made the first-team AP All-East. His 628 yards rushing established a new Temple freshman rushing record.
During his collegiate career, Palmer set 23 school records and was named the 1986 ECAC Player of the Year. He holds the Owls' career record for rushing with 4,895 yards on 935 attempts and 39 touchdowns. The Potomac, Md., native was inducted into the Temple University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000.
"This has really caught me off guard," Palmer said. "I'm surprised, but I'm happy. I'm going to call my teammates. It's an accomplishment to be celebrated with everyone associated with Temple Football, those that came before me, my former teammates, and the players of the future. I'm extremely proud just to be nominated."
In addition to the 75 players, eight former collegiate coaches are also on the ballot.
"Since our founding in 1947, the NFF has stood at the forefront of preserving the rich history of our game, and nothing better represents our efforts than the selection of college football's greatest legends for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame," said NFF President & CEO Steven J. Hatchell. "We take great care in engaging all our key constituents in the process, especially our membership. Their enthusiasm to have a voice is a testament to America's passion for college football."
The ballot mailed this week to more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF's Honors Court, which deliberates and selects the class. Chaired by Gene Corrigan, a former ACC Commissioner and NCAA president, the 11-member NFF Honors Court includes an elite and geographically diverse pool of athletics directors, conference commissioners, Hall of Famers, and members of the media. Of the 4.6 million individuals who have played college football, only 829 players have earned induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. From the coaching ranks, 178 individuals have achieved Hall of Fame distinction.
"The College Football Hall of Fame symbolizes the pinnacle of achievement in our sport," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, a 1989 Hall of Fame inductee from Ole Miss. "Each year we go through a painstaking process to determine the names that will be added to a short list of our sport's finest players and coaches, and it's a privilege to play a role."
The FBS Hall of Fame Class will be announced live on ESPNEWS at a press conference at New York City's prestigious Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on May 1 and inducted at The National Football Foundation's Annual Awards Dinner on December 9, 2008, also at the Waldorf-Astoria. They will be officially enshrined at the Hall in South Bend, Ind., in the summer of 2009.
To be eligible for the ballot, players must have been named a first-team All-American by a major/national selector as recognized and utilized by the NCAA for their consensus All-America teams; played their last year of intercollegiate football at least ten years prior; played within the last 50 years and cannot be currently playing professional football. Coaches must have coached a minimum of 10 years and 100 games as a head coach; won at least 60% of their games; and be retired from coaching for at least three years; be retired from coaching and over the age of 70 (no waiting period); or over the age of 75 (active coaches eligible). In both cases, the candidate's post-football record as a citizen may also be weighed.
Once nominated for consideration, all player candidates are submitted to one of eight District Screening Committees, depending on their geographic location, which conducts a vote to determine who will appear on the ballot and represent their respective districts. Each year, 15 candidates, who are not selected for the Hall of Fame, will be named automatic holdovers and will bypass the district screening process and automatically appear on the ballot the following year. Additionally, the Honors Review Committee may make recommendations to Honors Court for exceptions that allow for the induction of players who played more than 50 years ago and coaches who have not won at least 60 percent of their games.
For more information, visit the NFF's website at www.footballfoundation.com.
