The Tyler ISD Athletic Department is proud to announce 2022 Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Mr. Andrew Melontree Jr. – John Tyler High School, 1976.
Andrew Melontree Jr., a graduate and football standout at the former John Tyler High School, was recognized during halftime of the Tyler High School home football game held at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium on Friday, October 7.
Melontree was selected based on his high school achievements, post high school accomplishments, and other contributing factors. In 2021, he was named to the Baylor University Hall of Fame.
As a high school sophomore, Melontree was part of John Tyler’s (JT) 1973 Class 4A state championship team, including 1977 Heisman Trophy winner Earl Campbell and Baylor Hall of Famers Ronnie Lee and Gary Don Johnson.
During his three-year varsity career at JT, Melontree's teams compiled a record of 32-3 with two district championships and a state championship, the Lions' first since 1930. During high school, he received all-district honors, was named Texas Sports Writers Association Class 4A All-State, and the Tyler Morning Telegraph All-East Texas Defensive Player of the Year.
Melontree received football scholarship offers from big-name schools, including SMU, TCU, Texas Tech, Rice, and Houston, among others, but “There was never another school, in my heart,” Melontree said of his desire to go to Baylor.
After graduating from JT, with his eyes still set on Baylor, Melontree played football at Tyler Junior College, where he was a two-time All-Southwest Junior College Football Conference selection, earning honorable mention All-America honors as a sophomore.
In his first year at Baylor, the Bears finished with a disappointing 3-8 season. However, a dominant defense the following year led to an 8-4 finish and a 24-18 Peach Bowl win over Clemson. Melontree earned consensus All-Southwest Conference honors as a senior and was named MVP for the 1979 Peach Bowl.
Drafted in the sixth round by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1980, Melontree played parts of two seasons in the NFL and three years in the USFL. When the USFL folded after the 1985 season, Melontree said, “I knew that was it. I got offers from the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots, but when the light goes out, it’s time to go.”
Since 2013, Tyler ISD Athletics has honored sixty-one former student-athletes, coaches, and championship teams who have demonstrated principles of character, citizenship, success, and leadership through its annual Hall of Fame induction process. Former inductees include Earl Campbell, Matt Flynn, Billy Hall, Aaron Ross, A’Quonesia Franklin, Marianne Jones, and various state championship teams.
To be considered for the Athletic Hall of Fame, an athlete, coach, or contributor must be nominated. To nominate someone, visit the Tyler ISD Athletics website.
For more information on the Tyler ISD Athletic Hall of Fame, contact Greg Priest at 906-262-3080.