Former Cleveland Browns left tackle Joe Thomas and former John Carroll linebacker London Fletcher are headed to the College Football Hall of Fame, but they won't be the only ones representing Northeast Ohio in Atlanta this year.
On Monday, the National Football Foundation announced that in addition to its 13-player and 2-coach class, the Goodyear Blimp will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as an honorary member.
The blimp will be the first nonhuman ever inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Known for its presence at the sport's biggest games, the Goodyear Blimp began its connection with college football when aerial coverage was requested by network television at the 1955 Rose Bowl Game. Since then, it has appeared at more than 2,000 games, including several bowl games and championships.
"College players and fans know that when the Goodyear Blimp shows up, it's a big game. Its presence is intrinsically known and tied to the traditions that make college football so great," Archie Manning, the National Football Foundation chairman, said in a statement. "As the eye in the sky to college football's greatest coaches, players and moments, it's only fitting that the Goodyear Blimp joins the College Football Hall of Fame in a year when the game celebrates its 150th anniversary."
Added former Ohio State quarterback and ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit: "I've been lucky enough to both play and broadcast underneath the shadow of one of sports' biggest icons, and each time it's special. For me, playing under the blimp felt like a payoff for the hard work that goes into game day, so I'm excited it's getting recognized for its contributions to college football."
Later this year, the Chick-fil-A College College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta will open an exhibit commemorating the blimp's history with artifacts, video footage, pictures and more. The Blimp will also be in action on Monday night, providing a "Blimpcast" stream during ESPN's coverage of the College Football Playoff Championship Game between No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Clemson.
