Kentucky Legends Head to Hall of Fame

Two Kentucky football legends, Jerry Blanton and Ermal Allen, are set to be honored in the only state-specific pro football hall of fame in the nation — the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame — as part of the 2026 class. Blanton, the first true freshman to start at UK and a key member of the 1976 SEC champs, went on to have a seven-year NFL career with the Chiefs and later served as the highest-ranking African American in Kentucky’s Department of Parks. Allen, a WWII veteran and multi-sport star, coached and played professionally, including 22 seasons with the Cowboys where he pioneered analytics in player evaluation and helped them reach five Super Bowls. Both have already been enshrined in UK’s Athletics Hall of Fame, with Allen’s jersey retired. The Hall, founded in 2003, has honored over 100 inductees and raised more than a million dollars for youth charities. Their induction on June 26 in Lexington celebrates not just their gridiron achievements, but their lasting impact on Kentucky and beyond. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/ffe0e793d11c541b