Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
TSHOF names Blankenship as Pro Athlete of the Year
5/12/2025 1:00:00 PM | Football
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – May 12, 2025 – The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Tennessee Lottery, announced the recipients of its 2025 Achievement Awards today. Former MTSU great and 2025 Super Bowl winner Reed Blankenship received the Professional Athlete of the Year award.
Blankenship emerged as one of the NFL's most reliable safeties during the 2024 season. As a starter for the Philadelphia Eagles, Blankenship led the team in tackles, anchored the secondary, and became a defensive leader both on and off the field. Blankenship, MTSU's all-time leading tackler, played for the Blue Raiders from 2017 to 2021 where he had 50 starts and three bowl appearances.
This year's full list of honorees includes the Tennessean of the Year, the Pat Summitt Lifetime Achievement Award, the Professional Athlete of the Year, the Male and Female Amateur Team of the Year, and the Male and Female Amateur Athlete of the Year.
The Hall will formally present its top honors at its 2025 Banquet, presented by the Tennessee Titans, on July 19 at the Omni Nashville Downtown.
"This year's Achievement Award honorees reflect the very best of Tennessee's rich sports tradition — from legends who've inspired generations to rising stars making their mark on the national stage," said Harold Graeter, Chairman of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame's Board of Directors. "We are proud to honor these individuals and teams whose dedication, excellence, and impact represent what the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame stands for."
Blankenship emerged as one of the NFL's most reliable safeties during the 2024 season. As a starter for the Philadelphia Eagles, Blankenship led the team in tackles, anchored the secondary, and became a defensive leader both on and off the field. Blankenship, MTSU's all-time leading tackler, played for the Blue Raiders from 2017 to 2021 where he had 50 starts and three bowl appearances.
This year's full list of honorees includes the Tennessean of the Year, the Pat Summitt Lifetime Achievement Award, the Professional Athlete of the Year, the Male and Female Amateur Team of the Year, and the Male and Female Amateur Athlete of the Year.
The Hall will formally present its top honors at its 2025 Banquet, presented by the Tennessee Titans, on July 19 at the Omni Nashville Downtown.
"This year's Achievement Award honorees reflect the very best of Tennessee's rich sports tradition — from legends who've inspired generations to rising stars making their mark on the national stage," said Harold Graeter, Chairman of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame's Board of Directors. "We are proud to honor these individuals and teams whose dedication, excellence, and impact represent what the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame stands for."
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