Texas Sports Hall of Fame Inducts Class of 2026

Von Miller, Zack Martin, and Clint Dempsey among the new inductees

Apr. 19, 2026 at 1:06am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting abstract geometric shapes and forms representing football, soccer, and the Texas state flag, conceptually illustrating the induction of legendary athletes into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.The Texas Sports Hall of Fame's Class of 2026 induction ceremony celebrates the state's deep well of athletic talent across multiple sports.Waco Today

The Texas Sports Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2026, which includes several legendary athletes with ties to the state. Former Texas A&M star and Super Bowl MVP Von Miller, Dallas Cowboys great Zack Martin, and U.S. soccer icon Clint Dempsey are among the inductees who will be honored at a ceremony later this year.

Why it matters

The Texas Sports Hall of Fame is one of the most prestigious sports institutions in the state, recognizing the achievements of the greatest athletes to come out of Texas. The induction of these three standouts further cements their legacies and highlights the deep well of talent the state has produced across multiple sports.

The details

Von Miller, who led Texas A&M to success on the gridiron, reflected on his earliest memories of football being shaped by watching the Dallas Cowboys with his father. Zack Martin, a Cowboys offensive lineman, spoke about the high expectations that come with playing for 'America's Team' and how it brought out the best in him. Clint Dempsey, a former Premier League star who represented the U.S. in three World Cups, believes the upcoming World Cup could further raise soccer's popularity in the country.

  • The Texas Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will be inducted later this year.
  • The 2026 World Cup will take place this summer.

The players

Von Miller

A legendary defensive player who starred at Texas A&M and won Super Bowl MVP honors, Miller is now being inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

Zack Martin

An offensive lineman who spent his entire NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys, Martin is joining the Texas Sports Hall of Fame after a highly successful career.

Clint Dempsey

A former Premier League soccer player, Dempsey represented the United States in three World Cups and is being honored by the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

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What they’re saying

“My very first memory of football was my dad screaming in the room, and I didn't know what was going on. I ran back there in the room. I heard my dad screaming. I looked at him, he was yelling at the TV, and I see this blue star...he's watching the Cowboys game and he was screaming. I don't know what happened. But that was my earliest memory of football, and I just wanted to make my dad scream like that, and that's how it all started for me.”

— Von Miller

“Eyes are on us at all times. We could be 3-10 and everyone's still talking about us. The great part of playing in a place like that is it brings out the best in you and I'm very fortunate to play it, not only Notre Dame, but with the Dallas Cowboys. I think it really brought out the best in me on the field.”

— Zack Martin

“What's going to happen next? I don't know, but I'm looking forward to this summer and seeing how they perform and hopefully they'll inspire this country like the team in '94 did, and soccer will be something that's talked about every year instead of waiting every four years to do so.”

— Clint Dempsey

What’s next

The Texas Sports Hall of Fame will hold its induction ceremony later this year to formally welcome the Class of 2026, including Von Miller, Zack Martin, and Clint Dempsey.

The takeaway

The Texas Sports Hall of Fame's Class of 2026 showcases the state's deep well of athletic talent, with legends from football and soccer being recognized for their immense contributions to their respective sports. The induction of these three standouts further cements their legacies and highlights the pride Texans take in the accomplishments of their homegrown stars.