Where Kentucky's Greatest
Pro Football Players Live!
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Phil Simms Featured Hall of Fame Member Learn More Join us on June 26, 2026 for our annual Purple Jacket Dinner Party and Induction Ceremony! RESERVE NOW Hall of Fame Members Learn about our 115 Learn More

Purple Jacket Dinner Party

The 2026 Purple Jacket Dinner Party will be held on Friday, June 26
at the Hilton in downtown Lexington.

Doors open at 5pm, Dinner and Program at 6pm.

The 2025 Annual Purple Jacket Dinner Party, where we officially inducted the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025, was a night to remember.

2025 PHOTOS

Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026

Ermal
Allen

University of Kentucky
Morristown, TN
Cleveland Browns
Dallas Cowboys

Mark
Pike

Georgia Tech
Dixie Heights H.S.
Edgewood, KY
Buffalo Bills

Jerry
Blanton

University of Kentucky
Toledo, OH
Kansas City Chiefs

Bilal
Powell

University of Louisville
Lakeland, FL
New York Jets

Chad
Pennington

Marshall University
Knoxville, TN
New York Jets, Miami Dolphins

Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame
Announces Class of 2026

Watch the Announcement Show

our mission

Honoring Kentucky’s Pro Football legends to support Kentucky’s children and young people

The Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame was founded in 2003 when members of the Kentucky Chapter of the NFL Players Association came together to organize events supporting children’s charities across the Commonwealth. What began as a way to unite local NFL alumni soon evolved into a larger vision—one that recognized the incredible football talent with Kentucky ties. In a state renowned for basketball, why not also celebrate the athletes, coaches, officials, executives, and media personalities who have made their mark in the National Football League? From this idea, the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame was born.

Proudly, it stands as the only Professional Football Hall of Fame at the state level, outside of the national NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Jason Dunn, Class of 2006

Our Mission has always been clear:

To honor Kentucky’s football legends while supporting Kentucky’s children and youth

Supporting our Legacy

We remain steadfast in this commitment. Each year, we proudly present a check to our chosen beneficiary, helping fund youth and children’s charities while also fostering the growth of football at all levels throughout Kentucky. Over the years, we have raised more than a million dollars for these charities, making a lasting impact on countless young lives.

In a world of constant change, we recognize the enduring values the game instills—discipline, teamwork, and perseverance—qualities that extend far beyond the field and into the game of life.

Looking ahead, we envision the Hall of Fame Living History House—a space not only dedicated to preserving the memorabilia and legacies of Kentucky’s football’s greats but also serving as a place where the story of the game, and its impact on our nation and Commonwealth, can be shared and understood for generations to come.

Learn more about our story and passion to support our Kentucky children:

Learn more about our story and passion to support our Kentucky children:

Press / Media

Connect on social media for updates and spotlight features!

📺 MUST-SEE TV! 🏈

If you missed Everyday Kentucky’s India Jones and Dave Baker's interview with Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame Executive Director Frank Minnifield and 2026 Hall of Fame inductee Chad Pennington, now's your chance to catch it! 👏

Hear Chad reflect on his remarkable football journey, Hall of Fame honor, and more, while Frank shares news about the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame.

🎥 Copy and paste the link below to WATCH NOW! ⬇️

https://www.wkyt.com/video/2026/06/26/chad-pennington-frank-minnifield-kentucky-pro-football-hall-fame/

#KYPFHOF #KentuckysFootballLegendsLiveHere #ChadPennington #FrankMinnifield #MarshallFootball #NewYorkJets #MiamiDolphins #KentuckyFootball #FootballLegends
Our second group of three - the 2026 Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Commonwealth Team representing Georgetown, Kentucky Christian, Kentucky State, Kentucky Wesleyan, Lindsey Wilson, and Morehead State.
@gctigerfball 
@kcuknights 
@kentuckystatefootball 
@kywesleyan 
@lwuathletics 
@msueaglesfootball
A standout at Marshall University and one of the most accurate quarterbacks of his era, Chad Pennington built an outstanding NFL career with the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, earning two NFL Comeback Player of the Year awards and becoming one of the league's most respected leaders on and off the field. 💪

The Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame is proud to honor Chad Pennington as a member of the Class of 2026. 💜

Paste into your browser to learn more about Chad Pennington:

https://kyprofootballhof.org/hof/chad-pennington/

#KYPFHOF #KentuckysFootballLegendsLiveHere #ClassOf2026 #ChadPennington #MarshallFootball #NewYorkJets #MiamiDolphins #NFLLegends
Rolling out your 2026 All-Commonwealth Team
over the next three days. Meet the men who excel on
and off the field from Campbellsville, Centre,
Cumberlands, and EKU. @cvilletigers  @centrefootball 
@ucumberlands  @eku_football
A defensive standout at the University of Kentucky, where he was a key contributor on the 1976 SEC Championship team 🏈, Jerry Blanton spent his entire 7-year NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs. Among the faithful fans of Chiefs’ Kingdom, Blanton earned a reputation as one of the NFL's most dependable linebackers. 💪

The Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame is proud to honor Jerry Blanton as a member of the Class of 2026. 💜

Copy and paste this into your browser to learn more about Jerry Blanton:

https://kyprofootballhof.org/hof/jerry-blanton/

#KYPFHOF #KentuckysFootballLegendsLiveHere #ClassOf2026 #JerryBlanton #KansasCityChiefs #KentuckyFootball #NFLLegends
A standout at the University of Louisville 🏈 and a key contributor to the New York Jets for nine seasons, Bilal Powell totaled more than 5,200 yards from scrimmage and earned the respect of teammates, coaches, and Jets fans with his relentless work ethic. 💪

The Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame is proud to honor Bilal Powell as a member of the Class of 2026. 💜

Copy and paste into your browser to learn more about Bilal Powell:

kyprofootballhof.org/hof/bilal-powell/

#KentuckysFootballLegendsLiveHere #ClassOf2026 #BilalPowell #NewYorkJets #LouisvilleFootball #NFLLegends
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