Olympic gold medalist Justin Gatlin, NFL star Doug Baldwin honored at Pensacola Sports Banquet

For Justin Gatlin, being inducted into the Pensacola Sports Hall of Fame hits different.

Even for someone who won the Olympic gold medal in the 100 meters in 2004 and went on to win medals in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, being a part of the rich sports legacy in this town is humbling.

“It’s totally different from any Hall of Fame I know of in the world,” Gatlin said. “Because so many athletes have come out of Pensacola and made their mark not only statewide, nationwide, but worldwide. We’re arguably the best in almost every category of sports and I’m proud to be a part of that.”

Gatlin was one of four inductees in this year’s class, who were enshrined at the Pensacola Sports Annual Awards Banquet on Feb. 24 at the Brownsville Community Center.

Seven others were recognized with individual honors, while 22 athletes and six teams were given special recognition.

Before winning national championships at the University of Tennessee and going on to an Olympic gold medal and four world titles, Gatlin starred at Woodham High School, winning five state titles and graduating in 2000.

In 2024, he started sponsoring a local high school competition, the Justin Gatlin Invitational, for freshmen and sophomores. This year’s meet will take place March 28 at Pine Forest High School.

Justin Gatlin is inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame during the annual Pensacola Sports Awards Banquet at Brownsville Community Center in Pensacola on Feb. 24, 2026.

Gatlin was one of two new Hall of Famers to give a speech, being joined by former NFL wide receiver Doug Baldwin.

Baldwin graduated from Gulf Breeze in 2007, then played at Stanford from 2007-10 before playing eight years in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks. After being signed as an undrafted free agent, Baldwin spent eight years in the NFL from 2011-18. He finished with 6,563 receiving yards and 49 touchdowns and helped the Seahawks win Super Bowl 48 in 2014.

He currently ranks fourth in team history in receiving yards and touchdowns and first in playoff receptions (58), yards (734) and touchdowns (6).

In a video package before his speech, Baldwin recounted going to a camp put on by NFL Hall of Famer and Escambia alum Emmitt Smith, who told the kids there that likely no one would make it to the NFL and only one or two would go on to play college football.

From that day on, Baldwin decided he would prove Smith wrong. In retirement, Baldwin doesn’t watch a lot of sports, he told the crowd. He’s more focused on how he can use his Christian faith to spread the message that everyone, no matter their race, religion or sexual orientation, matters in God’s eyes.

“I’m asking you, I’m actually begging you, spread love,” Baldwin said. “And if we do that, I’m not saying you’re going to win every championship. But you have a chance. And in life, I know we all know, that all you can ask for is a chance.”

Doug Baldwin is inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame during the annual Pensacola Sports Awards Banquet at Brownsville Community Center in Pensacola on Feb. 24, 2026.

Peter Dyson and David Williams joined Gatlin and Baldwin as part of the 2026 class.

Dyson competed on the University of West Florida golf team from 1985-87, winning team MVP in 1985 and 1986. He also won the Southern Juniors title and the American Amateur Classic in 1986.

Peter Dyson is inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame during the annual Pensacola Sports Awards Banquet at Brownsville Community Center in Pensacola on Feb. 24, 2026.

Williams starred at Pensacola High School in the mid-1970s and was an All-American at Southern University before being drafted by the Phoenix Suns in the seventh round of the 1981 NBA Draft. A knee injury cut short a prospective pro career.

Williams went to coach the PHS boys basketball team from 1986-2004, leading the Tigers to the Final Four in his final season. He then served as PHS principal for 17 years and currently serves on the Escambia County Board of Education.

David Williams is inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame during the annual Pensacola Sports Awards Banquet at Brownsville Community Center in Pensacola on Feb. 24, 2026.

Individual award winners

Five Flags Speed general manager Tim Bryant was named Sportsman of the Year. Washington Commanders defensive back and Pensacola Catholic graduate Jeremy Reaves was named Professional Athlete of the Year, after his 91 tackles ranked second for an injury-marred Commanders squad.

Jeremy Reaves receives Professional Athlete of the Year Award during the annual Pensacola Sports Awards Banquet at Brownsville Community Center in Pensacola on Feb. 24, 2026.

Auburn sophomore infielder and Catholic alumnus Chris Rembert was named Amateur Athlete of the Year after a standout freshman campaign. Rembert slashed .344/.467/.555 with 10 home runs and 46 RBIs, becoming the first Auburn freshman to be named All-SEC since 2008.

Paco Burrell was named Volunteer of the Year and Pensacola Sports CEO Ray Palmer won the excellence in Sports Tourism award. Palmer is retiring in September after 25 years with the company.

“It’s such an honor to be able to lead this organization and this phenomenal, staff and board and friends,” Palmer said. “

Ray Palmer receives the Excellence in Sports Tourism Award during the annual Pensacola Sports Awards Banquet at Brownsville Community Center in Pensacola on Feb. 24, 2026.

Special Achievement Awardees

Evan Beckham: A Pace senior, Beckham won the 3A 139-pound traditional weightlifting state championship as a junior.
Drew Beroset: Beroset finished second in the 3A 3,200 meter run as a sophomore at Gulf Breeze. He transferred to McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee for his junior season.
Ja’Kobe Clinton: A senior, Clinton was named the Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year and was an American Football Coaches Association First Team All-American in 2025. He recorded 78 tackles (19 TFL), seven sacks, two interceptions, nine pass deflections, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Kollin Daniels: A Pace senior, Daniels swept the 129-pound 3A Olympic and traditional weightlifting titles as a junior.
Shannah Dillman: A UWF women’s swimming and diving senior, Dillman garnered All-American honors as a junior with an eighth place finish in the 200-yard individual medley.
Shyann Donaldson: A Milton 2025 alumna, Donaldson won the 3A unlimited Olympic and traditional girls weightlifting titles as a senior.
Chase Dooley: A Jay junior, Dooley swept the 1A unlimited Olympic and traditional boys weightlifting titles as a sophomore, becoming the first weightlifting state champion in school history.
West Fowler: A Gulf Breeze native, Fowler won three medals at the 2025 Trampoline World Championships. The 17-year-old and youngest member of Team USA won gold in team double mini, silver in team tumbling and bronze in double mini.
Ireland Grimes: A Pace senior, Grimes swept the 169-pound 3A Olympic and traditional girls weightlifting state titles as a junior.
Gianna Guerriero: A 2025 UWF alumna, Guerriero hit .442 with 40 stolen bases and scored 57 runs on her way to All-American honors as a senior.
Gulf Breeze Beach Volleyball: The Dolphins won their second straight 2A state title in 2025.
Adriana Mieses-Sanchez: A UWF swimming and diving senior, Mieses-Sanchez was named first team All-American in 1-meter diving as a junior.
Alyssa McMurtrie: A Pace senior, McMurtrie won the 3A 154-pound traditional girls weightlifting state title as a junior.
Olivia Nelson: A UWF swimming and diving senior, Nelson was the NSISC champion in the one and three-meter diving and was an honorable mention all-American in the one-meter as a junior.
Pace Boys Weightlifting: The Patriots repeated as Olympic and traditional state champions in 2025.
Pace Girls Weightlifting: The Patriots repeated as 3A Olympic champions and won their third straight traditional state title in 2025.
Pete Pena: Pena is currently in his 17^th season as the PSC men’s basketball college and led the Pirates to the Panhandle Conference Tournament championship and the NJCAA National Tournament for the first time in his tenure in 2025.
Pensacola State College Men’s Basketball: The Pirates went 23-12 in 2025, winning a conference championship and advancing to the national tournament.
Alena Rosova: A UWF women’s swimming and diving junior, Rosova was named first team All-American in the 100 breast in 2025.
Layah Slaughter: A Pace senior, Slaughter won the 3A 154-pound Olympic girls weightlifting title in 2025.
Mya Swinton: A UWF soccer graduate student and Gulf Breeze alumna, Swinton was named United Soccer Coaches First Team All-Region in 2025.
Tate Cheerleading: The Aggies were small varsity runners-up at the 2025 FHSAA 2A state championship.
Cooper Tendick: A UWF senior, Tendick was named GCAA/Ping First Team All-American as a junior.
Arman Truitt: A West Florida alum currently attending Naval Academy Preparatory School, Truitt won the boys 110-meter hurdles and long jump state championships in 2025.
Grant Wise: A Pace alum who early enrolled with Clemson football in Janaury, Wise won the 3A unlimited Olympic and traditional boys weightlifting state titles in 2025.
UWF Men’s Golf: The Argonauts won their third national championship and first since 2008 in 2025.