The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Renowned lawyer Joe Jamail inducted into NFF Leadership Hall of Fame
09.23.2015 | Texas Athletics
Jamail inducted on Sept. 17, 2015.
Joe Jamail, the renowned lawyer from Texas known as the "King of Torts," was officially inducted into the NFF Leadership Hall of Fame during a dinner on Sept. 17 at the Hilton Americas-Houston.
Jamail has won more than $13 billion in judgements during more than 500 jury trials, and he earned national attention when he won the landmark verdict in the 1985 Pennzoil v. Texaco case that resulted in a $10.53 billion verdict for Pennzoil. Jamail and his wife, Lee, have engaged in major philanthropic efforts over the years, donating more than $256 million to various charitable organizations.
A graduate of The University of Texas and The University of Texas School of Law, Jamail has made multiple donations to his alma mater totaling more than $50 million, including $10 million to the School of Law for faculty recruitment and retention, the largest single gift in the school's history, and $15 million for law, nursing and undergraduate advising. More than 4,000 students are enrolled in or have graduated from the University of Texas thanks to scholarships donated by Jamail. The field at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium was named Joe Jamail Field in his honor, and he has two statues on the university's campus.
CBS Broadcaster and 2011 NFF Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Award recipient Verne Lundquist served as the event's emcee, and NFF Chairman and College Football Hall of Famer Archie Manning (Mississippi) welcomed everyone to the event. America's beloved tenor Daniel Rodriguez graced the crowd with the singing of "God Bless America." NFF Board Member and former Texas All-America linebacker Corbin Robertson Jr. highlighted the NFF's new postgraduate scholarships at three universities in Texas while also paying tribute to Jamail. A humorous Q&A between Jamail and Lundquist was followed by a panel featuring fellow Houston lawyer Ronald Krist, College Football Hall of Famer Doug English (Texas) and 2015 College Football Hall of Fame electee Ricky Williams (Texas). NFF Vice Chairman and College Football Hall of Famer Murry Bowden (Dartmouth) and Robertson presented Jamail with his Leadership Hall of Fame ring, designed by Herff Jones.
Those in attendance included College Football Hall of Famers Ray Childress (Texas A&M), Chris Gilbert (Texas) and Jerry LeVias (SMU), 2007 William V. Campbell Trophy winner Dallas Griffin (Texas) and former Texas athletics director and 2006 NFF John L. Toner Award recipient DeLoss Dodds.
NFF is inducting renowned lawyer & @Longhorn_FB field namesake Joe Jamail into it's Leadership HOF tonight pic.twitter.com/VcqfELgaRe
— Football Foundation (@NFFNetwork) September 17, 2015NFF Leadership Hall of Fame inductee Joe Jamail takes the stage to standing ovation pic.twitter.com/2g28MqUOSK
— Football Foundation (@NFFNetwork) September 18, 2015
