Former NFL quarterback and Longview native Jeb Blount is scheduled to speak at the 2024 Best Preps Tyler event on Tuesday in Tyler. (Les Hassell/Longview News-Journal Photo)

Jeb Blount, a former Longview High School multiple-sport standout who earned Hall of Fame honors at the collegiate level and a Super Bowl ring in the National Football League, will be the keynote speaker for the Sixth Annual Best Preps Tyler on Tuesday at Green Acres Baptist Church’s Crosswalk Center in Tyler.

Best Preps Tyler, which honors student-athletes who have excelled at a high level in all areas, is set for 6:30 p.m. with about 1,000 people, including athletes and their families and coaches, expected to attend.

Coaches from participating schools were asked to submit nominations based on the student-athlete’s contributions to varsity athletics as well as their work in the classroom and in the community.

These athletes were required to have a GPA of 3.0 or better and to have verifiable community service or volunteer credentials of 10 or more hours in the current school year.

Blount was a three-year Longview varsity basketball starter and a two-year starter at quarterback for the Lobos.

Blount signed to play football at the University of Tulsa, and helped lead Tulsa to three straight Missouri Valley Conference titles and a 15-1 record in conference play during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons.

He finished his Tulsa career having completed 320 of 588 passes for 4,372 yards and 35 touchdowns, and was inducted into the Tulsa Athletic Hall of Fame as part of the 2021 class.

Blount was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 1976 NFL Draft (50th overall), and earned a Super Bowl ring when the Raiders defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 32-14, later that season.

He was waived prior to the 1977 season and was claimed by several teams, but the NFL awarded the Tampa Bay Buccaneers his rights.

He started four games and played in five for Tampa Bay, passing for 522 yards.

Highlighting the event will be the naming of the Best Preps Tyler Male and Female Athletes of the Year.

A special souvenir magazine will be passed out at the event after the winners are announced and it will also be delivered to home delivery subscribers in the Wednesday Tyler Morning Telegraph. A special newsprint section will be in the Weekend edition, May 4-5.

Presenting sponsor for the event is Baylor, Scott & White Spine & Joint.

Other major sponsors included CHRISTUS Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute (Male and Female Athlete of the Year), East Texas Professional Credit Union (Red Carpet) and Jucys Tacos (photo booth).

Specialty Awards sponsors are Baylor, Scott & White Texas Spine & Joint (Heart and Desire, Sportsmanship), Kona Ice (Going the Extra Mile), East Texas Professional Credit Union (Community Excellence), Tyler Morning Telegraph (Outstanding Achievement Academics, Coach of the Year), M. Roberts Digital (Inspiration) and ETX View Magazine (Athletic Director of the Year).

Sponsors for sports awards are Altra Federal Credit Union (Football), Jucys Taco (Volleyball, Softball), J&K Storage (Baseball), East Texas Professional Credit Union (Boys and Girls Track & Field), UT Health East Texas Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute (Boys and Girls Golf), Tyler Morning Telegraph (Cheerleading, Bass Fishing, Boys and Girls Cross Country, Boys and Girls Soccer), M. Roberts Digital (Boys and Girls Basketball, Boys and Girls Swimming, Student Athletic Trainer) and ETX View Magazine (Boys and Girls Powerlifting, Boys and Girls Tennis, Drill Team).

Congratulations to our honored student-athletes and coaches. We are proud to recognize your hard work in all areas, and we thank you for providing a shining example to others in the community through your hard work, dedication and desire to help others.

And, finally, a special thanks to our Best Preps Tyler sponsors for continuing to support the young people of East Texas.