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Former UK football player Steve Meilinger has been elected to the college football Hall of Fame, it was announced on Tuesday.

“I thank the National Football Foundation for naming me to the Hall of Fame,” Meilinger said in a UK Athletics press release.  “There are so many great players across the nation every year that don’t get honored, so I really appreciate it.”

Meilinger caught 16 touchdown passes and 75 catches total for 1,210 yards during his four years at UK from 1950-53.

Due to NCAA rules at the time Meilinger was unable to play in the 1950 season as a freshman.

Following his collegiate career Meilinger was selected as the eighth overall pick in the 1954 NFL draft but did not play a professional game until 1956 due to time spent on military service.

Meilinger played in the NFL for six seasons, scoring eight touchdowns in time spent on the rosters of Washington, Green Bay and Pittsburgh.

Meilinger’s official induction ceremony will be held in New York City as part of the National Football Foundation’s Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 10.