NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WGNS) — Former Middle Tennessee State University football standout Reed Blankenship has been named the Professional Athlete of the Year by the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, following a stellar 2024 season with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. The award recognizes Blankenship’s rise from undrafted free agent to one of the league’s top safeties — and continues to shine a spotlight on his roots in Murfreesboro.
A leader both on and off the field, Blankenship led the Eagles in tackles last season and was instrumental in solidifying their defensive secondary. Before the NFL, he was a record-setting force at MTSU, where he finished as the program’s all-time leader in career tackles.
Blankenship will be honored at the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame’s 2025 Banquet, presented by the Tennessee Titans, on Saturday, July 19 at the Omni Nashville Downtown.
In addition to Blankenship, the Hall announced a wide-ranging group of honorees that highlight the depth and diversity of Tennessee’s sports excellence:
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Tennessean of the Year: Mt. Juliet native and NASA astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore, recently returned from commanding a mission aboard the International Space Station.
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Pat Summitt Lifetime Achievement Award: Rick Barnes, head coach of the University of Tennessee Men’s Basketball team, recognized for his leadership and back-to-back Elite Eight appearances.
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Female Amateur Team of the Year: Union University Women’s Basketball, after a 33-4 season and NCAA Division II Tournament run.
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Male Amateur Teams of the Year (Tie): University of Tennessee Baseball, 2024 College World Series Champions, and Chattanooga Men’s Basketball, winners of the 2025 NIT Championship.
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Female Amateur Athlete of the Year: Olivia Reeves, a Chattanooga native and Olympic gold medalist in weightlifting, who set multiple national and international records.
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Male Amateur Athlete of the Year: Seth Henigan, quarterback for the University of Memphis, who became the school’s all-time leader in passing yards after a standout 2024 season.
The awards, presented in partnership with the Tennessee Lottery and other sponsors, celebrate athletes and programs whose achievements have brought pride to communities across the state.
