Tom Osborne Inducted While Alive | Lincoln News

0:00It's September 18th. Lincoln News today starts now. AI powered and ready. I'm Cory with the story. Alright, so the Nebraska Hall of Fame is getting a new edition and it's a big one. They're officially inducting Tom Osborne and get this. He's the first person ever to be inducted while still alive. This happened back on July 22nd and the official ceremony where they'll unveil his statue is set for September 18th at the state. Capitol Rotunda in Lincoln. Now the reason this is even happening is because lawmakers changed the rule. Before you had to be dead for at least 35 years to even be considered for the Hall of Fame. That law, LB-596, got passed clearing the way for living legends like Osborne to be recognized. Governor Jim Pillen is going to be there to present a proclamation and the artists who created the bust. Matthew Plasek will also be speaking. Tom Osborne isn't just known for his time as the head coach of the Nebraska Corn Huskers though that's a huge part of it.

1:02He's also been a congressman and a major advocate for youth programs. Governor Pillen himself said Osborne brought people together and made them fall in love with Nebraska and that his name is recognized all across the country. The Hall of Fame Commissioner Jim Rose was the one who pushed for Osborne's nomination. He argued that over the last 50 years there's nobody who's had a bigger impact on Nebraska, both here at home and on a national level. He said Osborne has poured his heart and soul into the future of this state and the commissioners agreed unanimously. So yeah, this is a pretty significant moment for Nebraska and for Tom Osborne himself. It's not every day you see someone get this kind of recognition while they're still around to see it. It really speaks to the lasting legacy he's built over decades of service.