Texas Sports Hall of Fame inducts 2016 class

A couple of Longhorn greats are part of the 2016 inductees into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. One helped take University of Texas basketball to new heights while the other followed DKR with some football coaching success of his own.

Former UT star point guard and National Player of the Year T.J. Ford, who also led the Horns to the Final Four back in 2003, can now add Texas Sports Hall of Famer to his resume.

Ford says, "I don't know if there's another award I can receive from a basketball perspective.  So for me I think this is it.  And what a way to go out.  And I think this is a great night for me to close that chapter of my life.  As far as all the things I accomplished basketball wise."

Joining Ford in this year's class is another former Longhorn, Fred Akers. Akers is the former University of Texas head football coach.

Akers told FOX 7 that while it was an amazing day for him it was also an emotional one as well. Akers says he lost his son Danny to cancer at the age of 54 a little more than week ago.

Akers says, "It is very sweet.  The most sweet thing I have been associated with athletics."

It’s a sentiment that Ford agrees with.

"What a huge honor. Something that I never anticipated.  Something I never thought about. So when I got the call that I was going to the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, you know I definitely smiled. I definitely shed a tear because this is amazing."

Five-time World Series champion and former Yankees and Astros pitcher Andy Pettitte was also inducted and he says he was blown away when he got the call.

"It's just a great honor.  And of course the championships are great.  But you know you're retired now.  And you're at home and you're in Houston and you're coaching your son's little league teams.  And just being there just kind of you know just being dad.  And then kind of stuff like this comes along.  And it just it makes it extremely special," Pettitte says.

Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Larry Allen also was inducted in Waco.