Jacob Tamme

Jacob Francis Tamme (born March 15, 1985) is a former American football tight end.

Known for his contributions back to the community, in 2006, he was named to the National Good Works Team by the American Football Coaches Association, the SEC Community Service Team by the SEC Office, and to the Frank G. Ham Society of Character by UK Athletics.

In 2007, he was one of 15 finalists for the prestigious Draddy Trophy, which is presented to the top scholar athlete in the country.

He gave the acceptance speech on behalf of the 15 finalists at the award ceremony in New York City.

Also in 2007, he was named the SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year and elected to the first-team Academic All-America squad by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

He was the 2007 recipient of the Bobby Bowden Award, a national honor presented by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

He played college football at Kentucky and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

Tamme also played for the Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, and Los Angeles Kiss.

Tamme graduated from Boyle County High School in Danville, Kentucky, where he was a multi-sport star in football, baseball, and basketball.

He was a four-year letterman and three-year starter at wide receiver and cornerback for Boyle County, who won four consecutive state championships, two in Class AA and two in Class AAA, and had a 58–2 record over those seasons.

He was a first-team all-state selection as a senior by the Associated Press and Louisville's The Courier-Journal when he caught 46 passes for 797 yards, a 17.3-yard average, and 13 touchdowns.

In addition, he was a finalist for the Kentucky "Mr. Football" Award, given to the top performer in high school football.

His career totals include 97 receptions for 1,866 yards, a 19.2-yard average, and 32 touchdowns.

On defense, he intercepted 23 passes, including two returns for touchdowns.

As a kick returner, he took 25 punts for 395 yards, a 15.8-yard average, and two touchdowns.

As a redshirt freshman, he played in all 11 games for the Kentucky Wildcats.

He started three games at wide receiver before moving to his more natural position of tight end for the season-ending game at Tennessee, where he had two touchdowns.

For the season, he had 16 catches for 161 yards.

He was also named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll for excellent work in the classroom.

As a redshirt sophomore, he played in all 11 games, starting 10.

He was second on the team in pass receptions with 29 catches for 253 yards and one touchdown.

On special teams, he blocked punts against Louisville and Florida.

He also earned a slot on the SEC Academic Honor Roll for the second straight year.

As a redshirt junior, he was voted to the All-SEC first-team by the SEC coaches and the Associated Press.

He led SEC tight ends in receptions with 32, netting 386 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

He made the SEC Academic Honor Roll for the third year in a row.

As a redshirt senior, he had 56 receptions for 619 yards and six touchdowns.

For the second year in a row, he earned first-team All-SEC honors from both the Associated Press (unanimous decision) and coaches polls.

Tamme finished his career as Kentucky's all-time top pass-catching tight end and second in the history of all SEC tight ends with 133 catches for 1,417 yards.

As one of the top scholar-athletes in the country, Tamme completed his degree in integrated strategic communications in only three years and earned his MBA just before entering the NFL.

The Indianapolis Colts selected Tamme in the fourth round (127th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft.

Tamme was the ninth tight end drafted in 2008.

He and the Colts agreed to a 4-year contract with undisclosed terms on July 23, 2008.

As a rookie in 2008, Tamme appeared in 12 games and had three receptions for 12 receiving yards.

In 2009, Tamme appeared in all 16 games and started one.

He totaled three receptions for 35 receiving yards.

He played in Super Bowl XLIV but lost to the New Orleans Saints 31–17.

After Week 7 of the 2010 season, Dallas Clark was placed on Injured Reserve after an injury to the wrist and Tamme took over as the starting tight end.

In Week 9, against the Philadelphia Eagles, he had 11 receptions for 108 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in the 26–24 loss.

Tamme was inducted in 2018 to the University of Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame.