The former Tennessee All-American recorded 14 career interceptions while on Rocky Top
Oct. 4, 2016
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Former Tennessee defensive back Deon Grant has been named to the 2016 Southeastern Conference Football Legends class, the league office announced Tuesday.
The 2016 Football Legends Class includes 14 former stars who excelled on the gridiron and helped write the rich history of the sport at their respective institutions. This year’s class includes a Heisman Trophy winner, All-Americans, All-SEC selections and Academic All-Americans as well as NCAA and SEC record holders. The group represents teams that won National and SEC Championships and are represented in state, school and college football halls of fame.
Grant, who wore the orange and white from 1997-99, had eyes for the football during his years on Rocky Top. He totaled 14 interceptions and 141 tackles in a standout career for the Volunteers. The All-American defensive back had multiple interceptions in three different games during his junior season of 1999, finishing with nine picks and 167 return yards on the season to tie for the lead in the NCAA. Grant helped lead the Vols to the inaugural BCS National Championship in 1998. He remains the last Vol to intercept three passes in a game as he accomplished the feat on Oct. 2, 1999 vs. Auburn.
Grant was selected in the second round draft of the 2000 NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers and played 12 seasons in the NFL for Carolina, Jacksonville, Seattle and the New York Giants. He earned a Super Bowl ring with the Giants in their win over New England in Super Bowl XLVI.
The class will be honored at the 2016 SEC Football “Weekend of Champions” Dec. 2-3 in Atlanta. The annual SEC Legends Dinner presented by AT&T will be heldDec. 2 at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta and the group will also be recognized prior to the SEC Football Championship Game, which will be held at the Georgia Dome onSat., Dec. 3.