TITLE: Recognizing Troy Vincent as an honorary Texan.

SUMMARY: Recognizing Troy Vincent as an honorary Texan.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Troy Vincent was born June 8, 1970, in Trenton, New Jersey; he grew up in East Trenton then moved to suburban Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where he attended Pennsbury High School and starred in football and track; and WHEREAS, Troy's talent on the football field brought him several scholarship offers; he chose the University of Wisconsin, where he started on varsity his freshman year as a defensive back and return man; and WHEREAS, An impact player, Troy earned a letter all four years at Wisconsin; as a sophomore in 1989, he led the Big Ten with a 15.1 punt return average; as a junior he set new Wisconsin single-season and career records for passes broken up; in 1991, Troy was voted team captain and MVP; that season he was also named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, set a school record for punt return yards, and was honored as an All-American as a senior--the school's first since 1987; and WHEREAS, In 1992 he entered the NFL Draft and was the seventh pick in the first round by the Miami Dolphins; wearing #23, he started at left corner as a rookie and helped the Dolphins reach the AFC Championship Game; Miami had a winning record in each of Troy's four seasons with the team and made the playoffs three times; during that time, Troy intercepted 14 passes and ranked among the team leaders in tackles; and WHEREAS, In 1996, Troy signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent; Vincent was a major player in the Eagles' dominant defense of the late '90s; he was selected for the Pro Bowl consecutively from 1999 to 2003, and was named First-Team All-Pro in 2002; and WHEREAS, In 1999, Troy tied for the NFL lead in interceptions with a total of 7, and in 2001 helped the Eagles get to the NFC Championship Game; and WHEREAS, In 2004, Vincent agreed to terms with the Buffalo Bills, ending a stellar eight-year tenure with Philadelphia; then in 2006 he moved to the Washington Redskins; he retired from the NFL following that season and finished with a total of 47 career interceptions; and WHEREAS, Troy's leadership and success extends well beyond the football field to this day; he has served as VP of the NFL Player Engagement Organization, Board of Directors for the University of Wisconsin Foundation, and the State of New Jersey After 3 Program; he has spoken at league-held seminars on the importance of sound financial planning and preparing for life after football; he served as president of the NFL Players Association and became the first active NFL player to serve on the National Board of Directors for Pop Warner Little Scholars Football; and WHEREAS, In 2010, Vincent also partnered with Feed The Children to help families in need and returned to Pennsbury School District in support of the Fuel Up To Play 60 program; recently, Troy was honored with a 2012 Jefferson Award for outstanding public service by an athlete and was elected to the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby commend Troy Vincent for his life work and recognize him as an honorary Texan; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Troy Vincent as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Turner of Collin Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1592 was adopted by the House on April 16, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House