2025 Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Induction Kicks Off This Week with Multiple Events

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LEXINGTON, KY | June 25, 2025 – The Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame, the nation’s only state-specific Pro Football Hall of Fame, will induct the Class of 2025 at the annual Purple Jacket Dinner Party and Induction Ceremony this Friday night, June 27^th, at the Downtown Hilton Ballroom, 369 W. Vine Street, in Lexington. The festivities begin at 6pm. This event is sold out.

This year’s distinguished honorees include:

• Michael Bush (University of Louisville)
  • Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals
• Danny Trevathan (University of Kentucky)
  • Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears
• Jim Daopoulos (University of Kentucky)
  • NFL Official and Supervisor of Officials
• Sam Gruneisen (St. Xavier H.S. Louisville / Villanova University)
  • San Diego Chargers, Houston Oilers
• Walt Yowarsky (University of Kentucky)
  • Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers
  • Dallas Cowboys (Scout)

Additionally, the prestigious Blanton Collier Award for Integrity On and Off the Field will be presented to longtime NFL coach, and five-time Super Bowl Champion, Romeo Crennel (Western Kentucky University).

Additional Events This Week

On Thursday, June 26, the Blanton Collier Sportsmanship Group will host An Evening with Legends from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hilton Downtown Lexington. The event, which is also sold out, will feature remarks by Romeo Crennel and former Cleveland Browns legend Ernie Green. During the evening, the Blanton Collier Sportsmanship Group will present its annual honors:

• Dudley Hilton, Bell County High School – Howard Schnellenberger High School Coach of the Year
• Paul J. Doyen – Tommy Bell Referee of the Year
• Ronald Vaughn – Phillip Haywood Volunteer Coach of the Year

At 11 a.m. Friday, June 27, the Collegiate All-Commonwealth Team—comprised of 80 players from Kentucky’s 17 college football programs—will be recognized at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, 100 W. Broadway in Frankfort. Former University of Kentucky star and Super Bowl champion Derrick Ramsey will serve as keynote speaker. This event is free and open to the public.
More information, including the team members, can be found at Collegiate All-Commonwealth Team – Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame

On Friday at 4.pm., Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton will host the Purple Jacket Presentation Ceremony at the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Center, 200 E. Main St. Jackets will be presented to the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame’s three living Class of 2025 inductees and family members of the two posthumous honorees. This ceremony is also open to the public.

More About the Inductees and Honoree

Michael Bush – (Male High School / University of Louisville)
Widely regarded as one of Kentucky’s greatest high school athletes, Michael Bush turned down offers from major collegiate football programs like Ohio State to play for his hometown Louisville Cardinals. As a junior, he rushed for over 1,100 yards and ended the year as a preseason Heisman Trophy contender before a devastating injury cut his campaign short his senior season. Despite this setback, the Oakland Raiders selected him in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. After recovering from a broken tibia, Bush made his NFL debut in 2008 and in 2011 recorded 242 rushing yards from scrimmage in a single game — the fourth-most in Raiders’ history. Over six seasons with the Raiders and Bears, he amassed over 3,200 rushing yards and scored 29 touchdowns. Michael Bush – Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame

Danny Trevathan – (University of Kentucky)
A native of Leesburg, Florida, Danny Trevathan emerged as an All-American linebacker at the University of Kentucky before being selected by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. By his second season, he became Denver’s starting inside linebacker, leading the team in tackles. Trevathan played a pivotal role in the Broncos’ Super Bowl 50-winning defense, tallying eight tackles and a crucial fumble recovery in the championship game. He later spent six seasons with the Chicago Bears, finishing his 10-year NFL career with 741 total tackles. Danny Trevathan – Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame

Jim Daopoulos –NFL Referee & Supervisor of Officials (University of Kentucky)
Hailing from Marlboro, Massachusetts, Jim Daopoulos began his officiating career at the high school and college levels before joining the NFL as a field judge in 1989. He transitioned to umpire in 1996 and officiated Super Bowl XXXIII. Over his 11-season career, Daopoulos worked four NFL Wild Card games, two Divisional Playoffs, and a Conference Championship. In 2000, he became the NFL’s Supervisor of Officials, a position he held for 12 years until his retirement in 2011. Jim Daopoulos – Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame

Sam Gruneisen – (St. Xavier High School / Villanova University)
A Louisville native and St. Xavier High School graduate, Sam Gruneisen played college football at Villanova before being drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the 25th round of the 1962 AFL Draft. He became the Chargers’ starting center in 1965 and maintained that role through the 1970 season. A key contributor to the team’s 1963 AFL Championship and multiple AFC Western Conference titles, Gruneisen played until 1973 before transitioning to coaching at both the collegiate and professional levels. He passed away in 2012 at the age of 71. Sam Gruneisen – Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame

Walt Yowarsky – (University of Kentucky)
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Walt Yowarsky was initially drafted to play baseball by the Cincinnati Reds. Still, he opted for football instead, starring at the University of Kentucky under legendary coach Bear Bryant. He earned MVP honors in the 1951 Sugar Bowl, leading Kentucky to a stunning upset victory that snapped top-ranked Oklahoma’s 31-game winning streak. Selected 29th overall in the 1951 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins, Yowarsky showcased his versatility by playing eight positions across four teams—the Redskins, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, and San Francisco 49ers—during his six-year NFL playing career. He was a member of the Giants’ 1956 Championship team and later embarked on a decades-long career as a coach and scout, including a long tenure with the Dallas Cowboys. His impact on the game spanned over 50 years before he passed away in 2014 at the age of 86. Walt Yowarsky – Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame

Blanton Collier Award Honoree – Romeo Crennel (Western Kentucky University)
This year’s Blanton Collier Award for Integrity On and Off the Field will be presented to Romeo Crennel, a distinguished NFL and college coach. A graduate of Western Kentucky University, Crennel built a legendary career as a defensive coach, earning five Super Bowl rings and shaping the game over 50 years. He also made history as the first African American head coach for the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans. Romeo Crennel – Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Frank Minnifield, Executive Director, Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame

fminnifield@minnifield.net | 859.621.5854

Chris Aldridge, Board Member/Media Relations, Kentucky Pro Football of Fame chrisaldridge@windstream.net | 859.825.8484

For more information, visit www.kyprofootballhof.org

THE KENTUCKY PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME: Founded in 2003, the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame is dedicated to recognizing players, coaches, and contributors with ties to Kentucky who have impacted professional football. With 110 inductees to date and five more joining this year, the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame continues to honor NFL legends and pioneering figures who exemplify dedication, skill, and passion.

The Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame has a clear mission: “Celebrating Kentucky’s Football Legends to support Kentucky’s children and young people.”

Over the years, the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame has raised over $1 million for youth and children’s charities, with the Foster Care Council of Kentucky as its current beneficiary.