DALLAS, August 31, 2011 - The University of Alabama and The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today that they will jointly honor Marty Lyons with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute, presented by Fidelity Investments®, on September 3 in Tuscaloosa during the game between the Crimson Tide and Kent State. Coverage of the game will start at 12 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.

"It's been 33 years since I played college ball, and to be recognized by the Hall of Fame as somebody special, it's one of those honors that you truly treasure," said Lyons when it was announced on May 17 that he would be inducted. "But when you really look deep inside at it, a lot of people whose names are not written alongside mine, are really there as well."

The NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute program is a hallowed tradition that began with the inaugural class in 1951, and to this day the salutes remain the first of numerous activities in each inductee's Hall of Fame experience. During the NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salutes, each inductee from the Football Bowl Subdivision returns to his alma mater to accept a Hall of Fame plaque that will remain on permanent display at the institution. The events take place on the field during a home game, and many inductees cite the experience as the ultimate capstone to their careers, providing them one more chance to take the field and hear the crowd roar their name.

Unquestionably one of the most accomplished defenders in Alabama's hallowed history, Marty Lyons, who played defensive tackle from 1975-78 in Tuscaloosa, built a stellar legacy, which earned him spots as a member of the Crimson Tide's All-Centennial Team and on the Southeastern Conference's All-1970s Team.

"Marty Lyons is among the most dominant players in college football history," said NFF President and CEO Steve Hatchell. "His exceptional playmaking helped Alabama to four bowl victories and the 1978 national title. It will be a thrill to honor in front of the Crimson Tide faithful at Bryant-Denny Stadium."

A consensus All-American in 1978, Lyons enjoyed considerable success under College Football Hall of Fame coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. The Crimson Tide compiled a 42-6 mark and finished 24-2 in SEC play during Lyons' tenure in Tuscaloosa. Lyons was a member of four bowl winners, including the 1975, 1978 and 1979 Sugar bowls, helping the Crimson Tide win their 10th national title in 1978.

For his career, Lyons compiled 202 tackles, 20 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries. In addition to earning All-America honors as a senior, he was a two-time All-SEC player and was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 1978.

Lyons was selected in the first round (14th overall) of the 1979 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. He spent his full career in New York, appearing in 147 games over 11 seasons. He was selected to two Pro Bowls and was named the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year in 1984. He is a member of the Jets' 1980s All-Decade Team. Lyons currently serves as Senior Vice President of Operations at the LandTek Group, Inc. in Amityville, N.Y.

For 27 years, Lyons has run the Marty Lyons Foundation, which aims to fulfill wishes of terminally ill children. The organization currently reaches nine states across the Eastern seaboard and Southern United States. He also claims 32 years of experience as a motivational speaker and 20 years as a broadcaster. Lyons is a member of seven halls of fame in Alabama, Florida, Maryland and New York. He and his wife, Christine, have four children and reside in Smithtown, N.Y.

Lyons becomes the 18th Alabama player to be inducted, including recent honorees Woodrow Lowe (2009), Cornelius Bennett (2005), Billy Neighbors (2003), and Johnny Musso (2000). Four coaches with stops in Tuscaloosa are in the hall: Gene Stallings (2010), Paul "Bear" Bryant (1986), Frank Thomas (1951), and Wallace Wade (1955). For a complete list of players and coaches in the hall, please visit www.collegefootball.org.

The 2011 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted at the 54th NFF Annual Awards Dinner, held at New York City's historic Waldorf=Astoria Hotel on Tuesday, December 6. For tickets, please contact Will Rudd at wrudd@footballfoundation.com or by calling 972-556-1000.

This year's class includes: Carlos Alvarez (Florida), Doug English (Texas), Bill Enyart (Oregon State), Eddie George (Ohio State), Marty Lyons (Alabama), Russell Maryland (Miami, Fla.), Deion Sanders (Florida State), Jake Scott (Georgia), Will Shields (Nebraska), Sandy Stephens (Minnesota), Darryl Talley (West Virginia), Clendon Thomas (Oklahoma), Rob Waldrop (Arizona), Gene Washington (Michigan State), coach Lloyd Carr (Michigan), and coach Fisher DeBerry (Air Force). Currently Scheduled 2011 NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salutes (Chronological Order)

* Deceased and represented by a family member and/or teammates.

The 2011 season marks the second season that Fidelity Investments will serve as the national presenting sponsor of the NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salutes. The NFF and Fidelity recently announced an expanded multi-year initiative between the two organizations to celebrate the scholar-athlete ideal and a joint commitment to higher education. The salutes are one component the sponsorship, which also includes Fidelity being named the first presenting sponsor of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards in the 53-year history of the program.