Former Georgia All-American Thomas Davis named to SEC Legends Class

BIRMINGHAM, ALA. – Former University of Georgia All-America linebacker Thomas Davis has been named to the 2022 Southeastern Conference Football Legends class according to an announcement Thursday by the SEC Office.

The Legends class, an assemblage of former SEC football standouts, will be honored at the 2022 SEC Football "Weekend of Champions" December 2-3 in Atlanta, Ga, highlighted by the annual SEC Legends Celebration on Friday, December 2 at the College Football Hall. The group will also be recognized prior to the SEC Football Championship Game, which will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, December 3.

The 2022 Football Legends Class includes 14 former stars who excelled on the gridiron and helped write the rich history of the sport at their respective institutions. This year's class includes All-Americans, All-SEC selections, Academic All-Americans, a Heisman Trophy winner and a Hall of Fame head coach. The group represents teams that won SEC Championships, won Super Bowl titles and are represented in state, school and college football halls of fame.

Davis started with Georgia as a redshirt freshman in 2002 and quickly made his presence known on the Dog defense. Davis helped the Dogs to three consecutive seasons of 10 wins or more and three bowl victories. He finished his career as a first-team All-SEC selection, first team All-American and was a semi-finalist for the Bednarik Award given annually to the nation's top defensive player.

Davis was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft. He survived three ACL surgeries and completed 14 seasons with the Panthers including a Super Bowl and Pro Bowl appearance. He completed his NFL career with the LA Chargers and Washington Football Team, finishing with 199 NFL games and 1,212 total tackles. He was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2014, an award recognizing a player's off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence. Davis returned to Georgia in 2011 to complete requirements for his degree.

Other SEC Legends in the 2022 class include Ozzie Newsome, SE, Alabama, 1974-77; Steve Korte, OG, Arkansas, 1981-82; Ben Tamburello, OG/C, Auburn, 1983-86; Alex Brown, DE, Florida, 1998-2001; Joe Federspeil, LB, Kentucky, 1969-71; Todd McClure, C, LSU, 1995-98; Eli Manning, QB, Ole Miss, 1999-2003; K.J. Wright, LB, Mississippi State, 2007-10; Gary Pinkel, head coach, Missouri, 2001-15; Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina, 2009-11; Peyton Manning, QB, Tennessee, 1994-97; Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M, 2012-13; Allama Matthews, TE, Vanderbilt, 1979-82.

Former Georgia All-American Thomas Davis named to SEC Legends Class

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