Maurkice Pouncey, Emmitt Smith to be Inducted into Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | Football
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gator legends Maurkice Pouncey and Emmitt Smith will be inducted into the Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 30. The prestigious Induction Ceremony and Luncheon, presented by Miller Electric Company, will take place at 12 p.m. at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, GA.
The rivalry game will be played in Atlanta in 2026 and Tampa in 2027, and return to the City of Jacksonville in 2028 in the Stadium of the Future. The two Georgia players earning induction are Brandon Boykin and Andre Hastings.
Pouncey helped anchor one of the most dominant eras in Florida football history, playing a pivotal role in the Gators' success from 2007 to 2009. During his three seasons in Gainesville, Florida posted a 36-5 record, captured two SEC Championships, and won the 2008 BCS National Championship. Pouncey faced Georgia three times, helping lead the Gators to back-to-back victories in 2008 and 2009 while protecting Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim Tebow and paving the way for one of the nation's most explosive offenses.
A Freshman All-American in 2007, Pouncey developed into the nation's premier center by his junior season. In 2009, he became the first player in Florida history to win the Rimington Trophy, presented annually to the nation's top center, while earning Consensus First-Team All-American and First-Team All-SEC honors. He started 39 games during his collegiate career before being selected 18th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2010 NFL Draft. Over an 11-year NFL career, Pouncey was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time First-Team All-Pro, three-time Second-Team All-Pro, a member of the NFL's 2010s All-Decade Team, and was later inducted into both the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame and the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor.
Before becoming the NFL's all-time leading rusher, Smith established himself as one of the greatest players in University of Florida history. A three-year standout from 1987 to 1989, Smith rewrote the Gators' record book while delivering memorable performances against Georgia, including a 224-yard effort in his first collegiate start during the 1987 season. He finished his Florida career as the school's all-time leading rusher with 3,928 rushing yards and 36 rushing touchdowns, helping elevate the Gators into national prominence while earning three consecutive First-Team All-SEC selections.
Smith's remarkable junior season included 1,599 rushing yards, Consensus First-Team All-American honors, and SEC Most Valuable Player recognition before he was selected in the first round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. During a 15-year NFL career, he became the league's all-time leading rusher, won three Super Bowl championships, earned NFL MVP and Super Bowl XXVIII MVP honors, and was selected to eight Pro Bowls. A member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame, Smith's impact on the game continues to stand among the greatest in football history.
Limited tickets are still on sale for the Florida-Georgia game on Saturday, Oct. 31 in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium at FloridaGators.com.
Tickets for the 2026 Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Lunch presented by Miller Electric Company, at the College Football Hall of Fame, are on sale now at https://gafljax.com/hall_of_fame.
The City of Jacksonville is the largest city by land mass in the contiguous United States, serving one million residents. City of Jacksonville leadership includes Mayor Donna Deegan and a 19-member City Council led by President Nick Howland. To learn more, visit jacksonville.gov.
Established in 1995, the Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame celebrates the remarkable players, coaches, and administrators who have shaped one of college football's most enduring rivalries. Over its 30+ year history, the Hall of Fame has honored more than 100 distinguished individuals, including iconic Gators like Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel, Tim Tebow, and Fred Taylor, as well as legendary Bulldogs such as Vince Dooley, Herschel Walker, David Pollack, and Knowshon Moreno.
The City of Jacksonville Office of Sports and Entertainment attracts, hosts, and creates opportunities that drive economic impact, accelerate the Jacksonville brand, and improve the quality of life and cultural engagement for visitors and residents. Jacksonville hosts hundreds of diverse events yearly, making Northeast Florida a premier destination with rich tradition and world-class hospitality. For more information, visit events.coj.net.
The rivalry game will be played in Atlanta in 2026 and Tampa in 2027, and return to the City of Jacksonville in 2028 in the Stadium of the Future. The two Georgia players earning induction are Brandon Boykin and Andre Hastings.
Pouncey helped anchor one of the most dominant eras in Florida football history, playing a pivotal role in the Gators' success from 2007 to 2009. During his three seasons in Gainesville, Florida posted a 36-5 record, captured two SEC Championships, and won the 2008 BCS National Championship. Pouncey faced Georgia three times, helping lead the Gators to back-to-back victories in 2008 and 2009 while protecting Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim Tebow and paving the way for one of the nation's most explosive offenses.
A Freshman All-American in 2007, Pouncey developed into the nation's premier center by his junior season. In 2009, he became the first player in Florida history to win the Rimington Trophy, presented annually to the nation's top center, while earning Consensus First-Team All-American and First-Team All-SEC honors. He started 39 games during his collegiate career before being selected 18th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2010 NFL Draft. Over an 11-year NFL career, Pouncey was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time First-Team All-Pro, three-time Second-Team All-Pro, a member of the NFL's 2010s All-Decade Team, and was later inducted into both the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame and the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor.
Before becoming the NFL's all-time leading rusher, Smith established himself as one of the greatest players in University of Florida history. A three-year standout from 1987 to 1989, Smith rewrote the Gators' record book while delivering memorable performances against Georgia, including a 224-yard effort in his first collegiate start during the 1987 season. He finished his Florida career as the school's all-time leading rusher with 3,928 rushing yards and 36 rushing touchdowns, helping elevate the Gators into national prominence while earning three consecutive First-Team All-SEC selections.
Smith's remarkable junior season included 1,599 rushing yards, Consensus First-Team All-American honors, and SEC Most Valuable Player recognition before he was selected in the first round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. During a 15-year NFL career, he became the league's all-time leading rusher, won three Super Bowl championships, earned NFL MVP and Super Bowl XXVIII MVP honors, and was selected to eight Pro Bowls. A member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame, Smith's impact on the game continues to stand among the greatest in football history.
Limited tickets are still on sale for the Florida-Georgia game on Saturday, Oct. 31 in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium at FloridaGators.com.
Tickets for the 2026 Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Lunch presented by Miller Electric Company, at the College Football Hall of Fame, are on sale now at https://gafljax.com/hall_of_fame.
The City of Jacksonville is the largest city by land mass in the contiguous United States, serving one million residents. City of Jacksonville leadership includes Mayor Donna Deegan and a 19-member City Council led by President Nick Howland. To learn more, visit jacksonville.gov.
Established in 1995, the Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame celebrates the remarkable players, coaches, and administrators who have shaped one of college football's most enduring rivalries. Over its 30+ year history, the Hall of Fame has honored more than 100 distinguished individuals, including iconic Gators like Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel, Tim Tebow, and Fred Taylor, as well as legendary Bulldogs such as Vince Dooley, Herschel Walker, David Pollack, and Knowshon Moreno.
The City of Jacksonville Office of Sports and Entertainment attracts, hosts, and creates opportunities that drive economic impact, accelerate the Jacksonville brand, and improve the quality of life and cultural engagement for visitors and residents. Jacksonville hosts hundreds of diverse events yearly, making Northeast Florida a premier destination with rich tradition and world-class hospitality. For more information, visit events.coj.net.
Tuesday, September 15
Tuesday, September 15
Tuesday, September 15
Tuesday, September 15
