ESPN College Football

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Three of Tennessee's greatest football players will have their numbers retired this season, university officials announced Tuesday as part of plans to honor the program's achievements.

The school selected quarterback Peyton Manning and defensive linemen Reggie White and Doug Atkins based on stringent criteria that include major honors during college and professional careers.

Four former Volunteers who died in World War II had their numbers retired in 1946, but the university shunned the idea of starting the practice again until now.

"When you look at programs like Nebraska, Oklahoma and Florida State and Ohio State and others and you see the retired numbers there, we felt like this was a logical progression that we needed to really consider," athletic director Mike Hamilton said. "We have a great football heritage, and maybe we need to start recognizing that more so."

There are plans in the works to recognize more former players in a "Legends Plaza" to be included in renovations of Neyland Stadium that are slated to begin at the end of this season. The 1985 team, dubbed "Sugar Vols," will be honored this season 20 years after beating Miami in the Sugar Bowl.

Numbers will not be retired on a regular basis, and currently there are no other former players who meet the criteria.

Candidates have to be considered good citizens, be out of school for at least five years and recommended unanimously by a committee made up of the athletic director, university president, chairman of the athletics committee of the board of trustees and the president of the letterman's association.

The candidates had to achieve three of the following five honors during their college careers: induction into the college football hall of game, Southeastern Conference player of the year, consensus All-America, Heisman Trophy winner or be the winner of the Sullivan Award, SEC athlete of the year or Draddy Award.

Candidates also have three of the following four pro honors: induction into the NFL hall of fame, NFL offensive or defensive player of the year, Pro Bowl status within five years and have a major career or season statistical record such as yards, sacks or touchdowns thrown.

Manning, who wore No. 16, is the most decorated athlete in school history as the SEC's all-time leading passer and a high academic achiever. Last season he set a new NFL record with the Indianapolis Colts for touchdown passes with 49.

"I feel one of the most significant honors a player can have in his sport is to have his number retired," Manning said in a statement. "Certainly for me to have that at Tennessee, it's with great pride."

White, who wore No. 92, died last December. Known as the "Minister of Defense," White has the school record of career sacks at 32 and retired after the 2000 season as the NFL's all-time leader in sacks with 198. The mark has since been broken. White played for Philadelphia, Green Bay and Carolina.

"Reggie would have been thrilled to receive this honor," White's widow, Sara White, said. "The University of Tennessee had a special place in his heart."

Atkins, No. 91, is the only former Vol in the college and pro halls of fame. A defensive end, he was an All-American in 1952 and retired after playing in 205 NFL games, the most ever for a pro defensive lineman. He played for Cleveland, Chicago and New Orleans from 1953-69.

"I'm honored the university is retiring my number," Atkins said.

White will be recognized at the Mississippi game on Oct. 1; Manning at the South Carolina game on Oct. 29 and Atkins at the Vanderbilt game on Nov. 19.

All three numbers are worn by current players, who will get to keep the numbers until their eligibility runs out.

------

On the Net:

Tennessee football: www.utsports.com

Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index