Utah Great Alex Smith To Be First Inductee In Utah Football Ring Of Honor
Aug 19, 2024, 10:39 AM | Updated: Aug 29, 2024, 11:13 am
a SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Athletics announced a new tradition to honor the all-time greats of Utah Football. Featured in the announcement is Utah legend Alex Smith will be the first inductee into the new Ring of Honor.
Led by Kyle Whittingham for the last 20 seasons, the Utah Football program has elevated itself to one of the most respected programs in the country. The rich history extends well beyond Whittingham’s tenure though, in fact, there are 130 years of history in the football program.
Alex Smith honored to be first Ring of Honor inductee
There is perhaps no better representative to begin this tradition than Smith, who is also being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame later this year.
“I am incredibly honored and humbled to become the first member of the Utah Football Ring of Honor this fall,” Smith said in the press release issued by Utah Athletics. “I want to thank Director of Athletics Mark Harlan, President Randall Taylor and head coach Kyle Whittingham for allowing me to be a part of a new tradition within Utah Football that will carry a legacy for years to come. Utah Football has always been and will always be a part of my family and I, and having the honor to be a permanent part of Rice-Eccles Stadium is something I will cherish for the rest of my life. A Utah Man Am I Forever.”
The program will be able to honor coaches and players alike. Those who have left a lasting impact on the program and achieved incredible honors.
Mark Harlan looking to the future by honoring the past
“The rich history of Utah Football has been written by so many tremendous student-athletes and coaches whose achievements have given our fans memorable moments from generation to generation,” said Mark Harlan, Director of Athletics.
“It is fitting that we permanently recognize the all-time greats of Utah Football with the establishment of the Ring of Honor at Rice-Eccles Stadium, and we are excited to announce Alex Smith as our first inductee. His record of achievements both as a Ute and in the NFL, as well as his incomparable impact beyond the field, demonstrate all of the attributes that embody the spirit and identity of Utah Football. In this year of his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, we congratulate Alex on being the inaugural member of the Utah Football Ring of Honor. We look forward to adding many more legends of Utah Football each year to join Alex in this prestigious group.”
Utah will only add Smith this season as an inaugural member. Following this season, Utah Athletics will add up to two new members to the Ring of Honor each year.
Utah has a high bar of requirements for induction into the new Ring of Honor. Specific things such as owning school records, being a consensus All-American, playing 10 or more years in the NFL, or coaching a team to at least two conference championships, among others.
Not only are there on-field requirements, a candidate must be a member of the Crimson Club Hall of Fame. As well as graduated from a four-year institution or attended the University of Utah for at least three years.
Utah Football Schedule
Utah will kick off the season against Southern Utah on August 29. You can find Utah football’s conference schedule here.
