IRVING, Texas – The National Football Foundation & College Football Hall of Fame revealed the 2023 Hall of Fame Class on Monday afternoon, announcing Troy Vincent, Sr., as a Class of 2023 inductee. Vincent is the 12
th Badger player to be selected to the College Football Hall of Fame.
Vincent, a standout defensive back, was the first player to earn First-team All-America honors (1991) under Hall of Fame coach Barry Alvarez, establishing himself as one of the most dominating players in the Big Ten during his time as a Badger. Vincent earned Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors and was the runner-up for the Thorpe Award in 1991. Vincent was inducted into the UW Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.
With Vincent's selection, five former Badgers have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame since 2010.
- Barry Alvarez (Coach) – 2010
- Ron Dayne – 2013
- Tim Krumrie – 2016
- Joe Thomas – 2019
- Troy Vincent – 2023
The Trenton, N.J., native finished his Badger career with 192 tackles, 31 passes defended and four interceptions while adding 66 punt returns for 773 yards and three touchdowns. Patrolling the Badger secondary, Vincent totaled a then-UW season record 13 pass breakups in 1990. Vincent's 90-yard punt return touchdown in 1991 is the longest in UW history and his 773 career punt return yards rank third.
To cap his collegiate career, Vincent was a nominee for the Jesse Owens Big Ten Athlete of the Year Award in 1992 and played in the Japan Bowl and the East-West Shrine Game.
Drafted seventh overall in 1992 by the Miami Dolphins, Vincent played with the Dolphins (1992-95), Eagles (1996-03), Bills (2004-06) and Washington (2006). He was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro pick. Vincent is the only player in NFL history to have received the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year award, the NFL Players Association Byron Whizzer White Award and the Sporting News Good Guy Award.
Vincent, who was the president of the NFL Players Association from 2004-2008, now serves as the Executive Vice President of Football Operations for the NFL. Outside of football, Vincent has dedicated his time and effort to multiple charitable causes and initiatives.
Along with his wife, Tommi, Vincent is an advocate against domestic violence and sexual assault. The couple serves their community through developing and advancing policies and initiatives aimed at ending domestic violence and sexual assault. Through their foundation, Love Thy Neighbor, the Vincent family is dedicated to humanitarian efforts defined by giving back to those in need throughout communities across America, beginning with their hometown of Trenton.
Full 2023 Hall of Fame Class
The 18 First-team All-America players and four standout coaches in the 2023 Class were selected from the national ballot of 80 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 96 players and 33 coaches from the divisional ranks.
The 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Class will officially be inducted during the 65th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 5, 2023, at the ARIA Resort & Casino Las Vegas.
