Three-sport athlete, Ginn played 2 seasons in NFL

Editor’s Note: The Berryville Sports Hall of Fame proudly announced the inaugural class of inductees earlier this year. Coach Jo Ann Clark, Coach Ronnie Clark, Coach Jack Edens, Tom Ginn and Coach Joe Mills. We’ll be highlighting one inductee each week, leading up to the Sept. 7 induction ceremony.

It is with much pride that the Berryville Sports Hall of Fame recognizes Tom Ginn. A graduate of the Berryville High class of 1976, Tom was an allaround athlete who excelled in football, basketball and track.

Ginn was a rare athlete who was talented enough to play defensive tackle in football, center/forward in basketball and run high hurdles in track. After his decorated high school career, the University of Arkansas offered Tom a scholarship to play football for the Razorbacks. Legendary Coach Frank Broyles retired after the 1976 season and from 1977 until 1983, Lou Holtz was head coach. One highlight of Ginn’s career at Arkansas was in 1977 when the Razorbacks went 101. They accepted an invitation to play the Oklahoma Sooners, also 10-1, in the Orange Bowl. Despite the records being the same, Arkansas was ranked No. 6 and the heavily favored Sooners were ranked No. 2. The Razorbacks played one of their finest games, defeating the Sooners 31-6 and finishing the year ranked as the No. 3 team in the country.

After an outstanding career with the Razorbacks, Tom was drafted in the fifth round of the NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. He played center on the offensive line and earned a spot on the Pro Football Writers Association All Rookie Team in 1980. Tom played center for two seasons on the Detroit line before injuries shortened his career.

Tom and his wife, Charlotte, now live in Northwest Arkansas where he stays busy in his career as a business manager and spending time with family.