Tennessee Volunteer football legend Heath Shuler will be the guest speaker at the Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County’s 23rd Champions Dinner on Tuesday at the Eastview Parks & Recreation Center.
Shuler is a former politician and professional football quarterback who served as the U.S. representative for North Carolina’s 11th congressional district. He played in the National Football League for five seasons prior to his political career.
Shuler played college football at the University of Tennessee, where he was named Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, and was selected by the Washington Redskins third overall in the 1994 NFL draft. After three seasons in Washington, Shuler was traded to the New Orleans Saints.
Shuler’s athletic career began at Swain County High School in Bryson City, North Carolina. Shuler quarterbacked Swain County to three state championships. He was named the North Carolina High School Player of the Year and attracted attention from colleges across the country before accepting a scholarship to the University of Tennessee in 1990.
Under legendary Tennessee Volunteer coaches Johnny Majors and Phillip Fulmer, Shuler gained national attention as one of the SEC’s top quarterbacks.
After a limited role in the 1991 season behind quarterback Andy Kelly, he became a prolific passer. In the 1992 season, he passed for 1,712 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions as Tennessee finished with a 9–3 record.
The next season, Shuler finished with 2,354 passing yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions as Tennessee finished with a 9–2–1 record.
Shuler held nearly all Tennessee Volunteer passing records by the end of his collegiate career; most were subsequently eclipsed by Peyton Manning.
In 1993, Shuler was the SEC player of the year and finished second behind Florida State quarterback Charlie Ward in the voting for the Heisman Trophy.
The Champions Dinner event is a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club that serves many children annually throughout Greeneville & Greene County with a variety of after-school, summer and youth sports programs.
This year’s event is title sponsored by Ballad Health/Greeneville Community Hospital and John Deere. The speaker is sponsored by Greeneville Federal Bank, the event meal is sponsored by Dr. Chris Bullington and the reception to meet Shuler is sponsored by the Greeneville Energy Authority and Marsh Propane.
The Champions Dinner is known for its dynamic speakers which have included past speakers such as Pat Summitt, Phil Fulmer, Tee Martin, Dale Ellis, Rick Barnes, Josh Dobbs, Grant Williams and Dale Murphy.
“This year promises to be no different, with Heath Shuler,” said Scott Bullington, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club. “Heath Shuler embodies everything that is right with sports today and he is very accomplished in politics, business and community service, in addition to his previous feats on the football field.”
Program ads and other sponsorships are available, and tables and tickets are limited. For more information, contact Scott Bullington or Peyton Malone at 423-787-9322, by email at gbgc@comcast.net or stop by the Boys & Girls Club at 740 West Church Street.
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