The Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame brought together 35 of the greatest football players at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta Saturday for the fifth-annual induction ceremony.

And the inductees were not alone. Friends, families, former coaches and other loved ones also walked into the building to support their inductee throughout the ceremony, which was broadcast live on WANF/PSN.

The evening began with a dinner which included tender steak, seared salmon, roasted brussels sprouts and a salad bar with all of the fixings. There were various desserts including a beautiful fruit tart and a dark chocolate mousse.

Patrons gathered around the Hall of Fame, dining and mingling, encouraged by several open bars, which led to funny conversations and renewed friendships throughout the evening.

Opening the ceremony, IJ Rosenberg, the President of Score Atlanta, welcomed everyone before playing a videoed interview between board member Sam Crenshaw and 2026 inductee Runt Moon. In which, Moon detailed his time on the field and post-football struggles involving a prison sentence and also his redemption and how he rebuilt his life.

“It is all about second chances,” Rosenberg said. “That is what this country is all about.”

Landon Knight, the Score Atlanta host for the Georgia High School Sports Daily show and the Drive for the GHSA State Title series broadcast on WANF/PSN, sang a wonderful rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner.

“I am not sure why she is working with us,” Rosenberg quipped, before welcoming GHSA Executive Director Tim Scott, who said a few words on the greatness of the current induction class and the spirit of high school football that permeates the state’s history.

Robin Hines, the former GHSA Executive Director, joined the stage to say a few words on longtime GHSA Executive Ernie Yarbrough, who passed away last week, which was a tremendous loss for the organization and the state.”

“He did everything for the GHSA and countless athletes across the state and he was my best friend,” Hines said. “Please keep his family in your prayers.”

Dave Hunter was brought to the stage and honored for his impact off and on the field and named an honorary member of the Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame.

“Could everyone stand up and give him a hand,” Rosenberg said to applause from those in attendance. “He is a good man. Thank you, Dave Hunter.”

As with the passage of time, many of the state’s greatest coaches left the mortal world this year and some of those were honored.

Rosenberg called Crenshaw to the stage to honor the late legendary coach Buck Godfrey, who passed away in September at age 83. And Bill Hart was welcomed to the stage to honor the late legendary coach Ray Lamb, who also passed away in September at 90 years old. Long-time legendary coach Rodney Walker passed away in May at the age of 79. He and his son Chip, who was in attendance, are the only father-son duo to win state championships in Georgia.