Peyton Manning congratulates Todd Helton on Hall of Fame nod

“Was an honor to be your backup, an honor to be your fan, and it’s an honor to be your friend,” Peyton Manning told Todd Helton.

From one Hall of Famer to another, game recognizes game. For Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, his former cross-town Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton’s election to the Baseball Hall of Fame, it means a little bit more.

Helton and Manning were football teammates at the University of Tennessee. Believe it or not, Helton was actually Tennessee’s starting quarterback for a brief time in 1994, before suffering an injury that would pave the way for Manning to take the starting job — and a Hall-of-Fame career career from that point on.

Helton went on to have a stellar 17-year career with the Colorado Rockies, who selected him eighth overall in the 1995 MLB draft. After Manning took the reins as a starter for the Volunteers, he was selected first overall by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1998 NFL draft.

Manning and Helton shared a sports home again when Manning signed with the Broncos prior to the 2012 season. Helton finished his playing career with the Rockies in 2013.

Manning congratulated Helton on Instagram when Helton passed the 75% threshold needed to be elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

Social media reacts to Todd Helton elected to Baseball Hall of Fame

Social media reacts to Todd Helton elected to Baseball Hall of Fame.

Former Vol Todd Helton was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday.

Joe Mauer and Adrian Beltré were also elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame alongside Helton.

Helton played baseball and football at the University of Tennessee before a career with the Rockies (1997-2013). He was the No. 8 overall selection by Colorado in the 1995 Major League Baseball draft.

Helton’s career batting average was .316, while totaling 2,519 hits, 369 home runs, 1,406 RBIs and 1,401 runs.

He was a five-time all-star (2000-04), a three-time Gold Glove Award winner (2001, 2002, 2004) and a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner (2000–2003). His No. 17 is retired by the Rockies.

PHOTOS: Todd Helton through the years

Below is social media reaction to Helton being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Todd Helton elected to Baseball Hall of Fame

Former Vol Todd Helton elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Former Colorado first baseman Todd Helton appeared on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot for the sixth time on Tuesday.

He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Helton played baseball and football at the University of Tennessee before a career with the Rockies (1997-2013). He was the No. 8 overall selection by Colorado in the 1995 Major League Baseball draft.

Helton’s career batting average was .316, while totaling 2,519 hits, 369 home runs, 1,406 RBIs and 1,401 runs.

He was a five-time all-star (2000-04), a three-time Gold Glove Award winner (2001, 2002, 2004) and a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner (2000–2003). His No. 17 is retired by the Rockies.

PHOTOS: Todd Helton through the years

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

PHOTOS: Todd Helton through the years

PHOTOS: Todd Helton through the years

Todd Helton played baseball and football at the University of Tennessee.

During the 1993 and 1994 seasons, he totaled 484 passing yards and four touchdowns for the Vols.

Helton recorded a .370 batting average, 38 home runs and 238 RBIs from 1993–95 at Tennessee. He was the No. 8 overall selection by the Colorado Rockies in the 1995 Major League Baseball draft.

The former Vol played for Colorado from 1997-2013. His career batting average was .316, while totaling 2,519 hits, 369 home runs, 1,406 RBIs and 1,401 runs.

Helton was a five-time all-star (2000-04), a three-time Gold Glove Award winner (2001, 2002, 2004) and a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner (2000–2003). His No. 17 is retired by the Rockies.

Helton was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Jan. 23, 2024.

Below are photos of Helton through the years.

Baseball Hall of Fame: Todd Helton’s 2023 voting results

Baseball Hall of Fame: Former Vol Todd Helton’s 2023 voting results

Former Colorado first baseman Todd Helton appeared on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot for the fifth time in 2023.

Helton received 72.2% of votes on 2023 ballots. He needs 75% for election into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Helton played baseball and football at the University of Tennessee before a career with the Rockies (1997-2013). He was the No. 8 overall selection by Colorado in the 1995 Major League Baseball draft.

Helton’s career batting average was .316. He totaled 2,519 hits, 369 home runs, 1,406 RBIs and 1,401 runs.

He was a five-time all-star (2000-04), a three-time Gold Glove Award winner (2001, 2002, 2004) and a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner (2000–2003). His No. 17 is retired by the Rockies.

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Redmond Walsh ties Todd Helton for Tennessee career saves record

Pitcher Redmond Walsh ties Todd Helton for the Tennessee career saves record.

No. 1 Tennessee (51-7) defeated No. 4 LSU, 5-2, Friday in the Southeastern Conference Tournament in Hoover, Alabama.

Redmond Walsh pitched 2.0 innings against the Tigers, earning his seventh save of the season. He recorded one strikeout, while surrendering one hit and one walk.

The save is Walsh’s 23rd during his career at Tennessee. He is tied with Todd Helton for most saves during a Tennessee career.

“That was a well earned one and I think he really kind of gutted through the thing because their
lineup’s really good, and the guys were on what he was throwing more so than the average
cat,” Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello said of Walsh. “The park was kind of playing big, for both teams, so he utilized the park and threw strikes. The one walk, he was right around the plate. He just lost the guy but gutted it out, is the best way I can say it, and good for him to have that individual deal. That’s something he’ll be able to remember and throw around the clubhouse when he returns to campus. For now, I’m sure he wants to ball again tomorrow.”

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Todd Helton on call for Tennessee-Alabama baseball series

Former Vol Todd Helton on call for the Tennessee-Alabama baseball series.

Alabama (22-12, 7-5 SEC) will play at No. 1 Tennessee (31-2, 12-0 SEC) Friday-Sunday.

First pitch for Friday’s game No. 1 is slated for 6:30 p.m. EDT. Saturday’s contest will start at 6 p.m. EDT, while Sunday’s series finale is slated for 1 p.m. EDT.

All games will be televised by SEC Network+.

The voice of Tennessee football and basketball Bob Kesling (PxP) and former Vols’ baseball and football player Todd Helton (analyst) will be on the call for all three contests.

Helton recorded a .370 batting average, 38 home runs and 238 RBIs from 1993–95 at Tennessee. He was the No. 8 overall selection by the Colorado Rockies in the 1995 Major League Baseball draft.

No. 1 Tennessee announces starting pitching rotation for Alabama series

Alabama announces starting pitching rotation for Tennessee series

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Luc Lipcius ties Donnie Ross for home runs, 10 behind Todd Helton for career record

Luc Lipcius ties Donnie Ross for all time home runs in Tennessee history and is 10 behind Todd Helton for the program career record.

No. 1 Tennessee (25-1, 7-0 SEC) notched its 17th consecutive victory Friday, defeating Vanderbilt, 6-2, at Hawkins Field in Nashville.

Super senior first baseman Luc Lipcius went 1-for-4 against the Commodores. He hit a home run and recorded two RBIs.

Lipcius’ home run is his 28th at Tennessee. He is now tied for 10th all time in Tennessee’s program history with Donnie Ross. Ross played for Tennessee from 1998-99.

Todd Helton is Tennessee’s program leader for career home runs. Helton recorded 38 home runs for the Vols from 1993-95.

Lipcius has appeared in 179 games for Tennessee since 2017. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Lipcius is from Lafayette High School in Williamsburg, Virginia.

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Bo Jackson leads list of athletes to play both football and baseball in recent memory

This list seems to be inspired by Bo Jackson.

Over the years we have seen plenty college athletes play multiple sports. More specifically we have seen those athletes play football and baseball. One of the best multi-sport athletes was the iconic Jackie Robinson.

As a member of the UCLA Bruins, Robinson lettered in four sports and baseball would actually be his worst. He would bat just .097 with UCLA. Robinson stuck with it and it worked out in his favor as he would break the color barrier in the sport and changed the course of history.

When it comes to Auburn, they know a thing or two about two-sport stars. Or should I say, Bo knows. When Bo Jackson wasn’t terrorizing defenses, you could find him on the baseball field. He would play both sports at Auburn and then as a professional.

Recently Ole Miss defensive tackle Tywone Malone showed his stuff on the diamond for the Rebels. He hit the game-winning home run against VCU. Apparently hitting quarterbacks and running backs isn’t the only thing that he can hit for the Rebels.

We break down the list of players who starred in both football and baseball. It seems Bo Jackson inspired a lot of players in recent history.

Todd Helton’s 2022 Baseball Hall of Fame voting results

A look at Todd Helton’s 2022 Baseball Hall of Fame voting results.

Former Colorado first baseman Todd Helton appeared on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot for the fourth time in 2022.

Helton received 205 votes (52 percent) on 2022 ballots, needing 75 percent for election into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Helton played baseball and football at the University of Tennessee before a career with the Rockies (1997-2013). He was the No. 8 overall selection by Colorado in the 1995 Major League Baseball draft.

Helton’s career batting average was .316, while totaling 2,519 hits, 369 home runs, 1,406 RBIs and 1,401 runs.

He was a five-time all-star (2000-04), a three-time Gold Glove Award winner (2001, 2002, 2004) and a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner (2000–2003). His No. 17 is retired by the Rockies.

Below are 2022 Baseball Hall of Fame voting results. David Ortiz finished with at least 75 percent and will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Players receiving less than 5 percent will drop off future ballots.