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Heath Shuler will be speaker at Sunday's Hall of Fame banquet
Heath Shuler, the 1993 Heisman Trophy runner-up

Heath Shuler

 Heath Shuler, the 1993 Heisman Trophy runner-up, will be the featured speaker at the eighth annual Jackson County Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet.

The banquet and induction ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. Sunday, May 7, at the Sylva Comfort Inn. Tickets are $15 and must be bought in advance. They are available at Sylva Insurance Agency on Main Street and from members of the Hall of Fame Board of Directors.

This year's inductees are Steve Dillard, Joe Hicks and the late Jeff Owen.

Shuler is a Bryson City native and quarterbacked Swain to three straight state 1-A football championships from 1988-90.

He starred at the University of Tennessee, where he was named All-Southeastern Conference and the league's offensive player of the year in 1993 when he was a second team All-American. He was the most valuable player in the 1992 Hall of Fame Bowl.
In just two seasons as a starter for the Volunteers, Shuler became the school's third all-time leading passer with 4,088 yards and reached fourth on UT's total offense list with 4,471 yards. He broke or tied six school records including touchdown passes in a season (25) and career (36).

Washington made Shuler the third pick in the 1994 NFL Draft. He became the first rookie to start at quarterback for the Redskins since 1961.

He set a team record by averaging 190 yards passing per start and was only the second rookie in NFL history to throw two TD passes for more than 75 yards in the same game.

Shuler's playing time was limited by injury in 1995 and '96. He was traded to New Orleans prior to the 1997 campaign. He started nine games for the Saints before having his season ended by a foot injury. He finished his career as a member of the Oakland Raiders.

The 1974 Sylva-Webster state 2-A championship baseball team will be honored as will the 1953-54 basketball team from Central Consolidated High School.

Outstanding athletes will be named from both Jackson County high schools. Scholarships will be awarded to high school seniors, and a Patron Award will be presented.

The Hall of Fame is seeking contributions to help defray costs. Sponsorships are $325, and memberships are $25. All levels of giving are appreciated. Checks should be made payable to the Jackson County Athletic Hall of Fame and mailed to Sports Editor, P.O. Box 307, Sylva, N.C. 28779.

Back to Sports: 05/4/00.