Varsity K Hall of Famer Gerald Tinker Honored by City of Miami
11/18/2025 11:04:00 AM | Football, Men's Track & Field
The City of Miami has officially named a street after Kent State legend and Varsity K Hall of Famer Gerald Tinker, co-designating a portion of Charles Terrace in Coconut Grove as Gerald Tinker Way. The honor recognizes the Olympic gold medalist, former NFL wide receiver and Golden Flash for his extraordinary athletic achievements and lasting impact on his hometown community.
At Kent State, Gerald was a two-sport standout, excelling in football and track and field. He earned All-America honors in track, won the 1973 NCAA Indoor Championship in the 60-yard dash and set multiple Mid-American Conference records. On the football field, he was a dynamic wide receiver and kick returner, helping the Golden Flashes to their first-ever bowl appearance in the 1972 Tangerine Bowl.
His speed carried him to Olympic glory at the 1972 Munich Games, where he ran the third leg of the U.S. 4x100-meter relay to capture gold and tie the world record. After college, Gerald was drafted in the second round of the 1974 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons and later played for the Green Bay Packers.
Gerald Tinker Way now stands as a lasting reminder of what you can achieve through hard work, perseverance and excellence. It's a fitting tribute to a Golden Flash who was determined to succeed.
![Four Kent State track and field athletes pose together on the awards podium wearing light blue Under Armour uniforms and gold MAC Championship medals. Left to right: Chaz Sakala (bib 1196), Sean [last name partially visible] (bib 1157, holding a relay baton), Ryan Gross (bib 1167), and Jacob Stanley (bib 1192). The group smiles for the camera following their relay event at the MAC Outdoor Championships.](https://images.sidearmdev.com/resize?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdxbhsrqyrr690.cloudfront.net%2Fsidearm.nextgen.sites%2Fkentstatesports.com%2Fimages%2F2026%2F5%2F21%2FIMG_2657.jpg&height=340&type=webp)
