Another Majors with Lynchburg roots is making football news. Former Tennessee Volunteer punt and kick returner, Bobby Majors, joined two other former Tennessee players – wide receiver Willie Gault and linebacker Al Wilson – on the National Football Foundation’s 2021 College Football Hall of Fame ballot.

Robert Owen Majors grew up in Lynchburg with his football family and his famous brother John Majors, who coach the Volunteers from 1977 -1992. Bob came along 14 years after John but both inherited their father, Shirley Majors’, athletic abilities and competitive nature.

At Tennessee, Bobby enjoyed an All-American career. As a punt returner, Bobby set Tennessee records with 117 returns for 1,163 yards. He also averaged more than 30 yards per kick returned during his 1971 season landing him in the Vol record books as the third-highest average in program history.

On defense, Majors plays a ferocious defensive back and ball hawk who led the nations in interceptions in 1970. SEC official named him to the All-SEC team in 1970 and 1971. UT officials also named him to the 100-year team as Defensive Back of All Time. He led his team to victory in the 1971 Sugar Bowl and would later be drafted into the NFL by the Philadelphia Eagles. He also played for the Cleveland Browns.

Bobby Majors now lives in Chattanooga.

To see the complete Hall of Fame Ballot, click here. The 2021 voting deadline is July 7. The Hall of Fame winners will be announced at the annual NFF Awards Dinner in New York on December 8. •

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