Reaching the NFL is no easy task. On average, the league drafts only 170 athletes out of roughly 120
NCAA Division 1 schools. Athletes must first prove themselves academically to enter a top school, and
then to make the jump into a professional sport of any category takes dedication, a deep understanding of
the game, and a certain level of physical prowess. A dedicated heart and strong spiritual life doesn’t hurt
either.
Tamme, a native of central Kentucky, illustrated each of these characteristics through a highly successful
college career and a number of accolades, but according to Tamme, it was his strong faith and supportive
family that really helped maintain his focus. “I was raised by two great parents, and I grew up learning
discipline and fun. I was always surrounded by great people who pushed me in the right direction,”
Tamme said during a recent phone interview.
His Christian character was recognized in 2007 when he won the Bobby Bowden Award, given by the
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). This honor recognizes a Division I football player who epitomizes a
student-athlete and conducts himself as a faith model in the community, in the classroom, and on the field.
Nominees must have at least a 3.0 career grade point average and be endorsed by the school’s head
coach and director of athletics. The award is named after the long time Florida State coach who is a big
supporter of FCA.
In the classroom, Tamme completed his bachelor’s degree in Integrated Strategic Communications with a
3.8 GPA and continued on to earn his Master’s in Business Administration in May of 2008. He was named
first-team Academic All-America by the College Sports Information Directors of America and chosen as the
Southeastern Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year by the SEC coaches.
On the field, Tamme has been a first-team All-SEC pick each of the last two seasons and is Kentucky’s all-
time top pass-catching tight end. He had 56 receptions for 619 yards and six touchdowns in the 2007
season.
Now playing in the NFL, Tamme understands he will have to push himself to keep up with the talent
involved on such a high playing field. “It is such a different level of competition—the best players in the
world—you have to step up to compete.”
As far as his faith is concerned, Tamme feels like there will be some challenges while playing in the NFL
but feels he was drafted by the right team to help keep the focus on faith. “Playing games on Sunday, it’s
definitely going to be difficult to stay involved in church, but I couldn’t have landed in a better place than
Indianapolis with Coach Tony Dungy.” Dungy tries to encourage his players to follow the mantra that faith
and family come before football, making the locker room of the Indianapolis Colts a very faith-friendly
environment.
If the long list of academic and athletic accomplishments is any indication, Jacob Tamme is sure to have a
great NFL career. With his background of strong Christian faith and community outreach, he is sure to
affect many people around him for years to come. As for the future, Tamme says he would love to make it
10 years in the NFL, but he knows God has a plan for him. “I will go wherever the Lord leads me.”
The Tamme Touch
by Jeff Hendrix
Anyone vaguely familiar with UK
football will immediately recognize the
name Jacob Tamme. His consistent
play over 4 years, topped off by key
plays in UK’s 2006 Music City Bowl
victory over Clemson and the Wildcat’s
2007 upset of #1 LSU, helped him
become a cornerstone of the offense
and step into the role of team leader
during his 2003-2007 tenure with the
Cats. In April of 2008, the faith and
discipline of Tamme, one of Kentucky’s
best high school and collegiate football
players, was realized. With their fourth
round pick, the Indianapolis Colts
selected the All-SEC tight end. In July
2008, Tamme solidified his standing
with the Colts by signing a four-year
contract, making him one of the few
Kentucky natives to make it into the
NFL.
by Jeff Hendrix
Anyone vaguely familiar with UK
football will immediately recognize the
name Jacob Tamme. His consistent
play over 4 years, topped off by key
plays in UK’s 2006 Music City Bowl
victory over Clemson and the Wildcat’s
2007 upset of #1 LSU, helped him
become a cornerstone of the offense
and step into the role of team leader
during his 2003-2007 tenure with the
Cats. In April of 2008, the faith and
discipline of Tamme, one of Kentucky’s
best high school and collegiate football
players, was realized. With their fourth
round pick, the Indianapolis Colts
selected the All-SEC tight end. In July
2008, Tamme solidified his standing
with the Colts by signing a four-year
contract, making him one of the few
Kentucky natives to make it into the
NFL.
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Feature
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| Copyright © 2009 Hendrix Media Group/Bluegrass Christian Magazine/KYfamily.com |
Tamme says he was involved with
Athletes in Action throughout his
college career and got involved with
FCA his senior year. According to
Tamme, “These organizations are
important in keeping the spiritual
aspect in the forefront of life in
college. Especially as a student
athlete, you are pulled in so many
directions and faith is often left out.”
As a team leader for the Wildcats,
Tamme organized both weekly Bible
studies and road trip devotionals. He
was also committed to doing good
works in the community and earned
the National Good Works Team Award
by the American Football Coaches
Association and the SEC Community
Service Team Award.
Athletes in Action throughout his
college career and got involved with
FCA his senior year. According to
Tamme, “These organizations are
important in keeping the spiritual
aspect in the forefront of life in
college. Especially as a student
athlete, you are pulled in so many
directions and faith is often left out.”
As a team leader for the Wildcats,
Tamme organized both weekly Bible
studies and road trip devotionals. He
was also committed to doing good
works in the community and earned
the National Good Works Team Award
by the American Football Coaches
Association and the SEC Community
Service Team Award.
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