2012 BYU Hall of Fame

Former offensive lineman John Tait started off his BYU football career strong by being named to The Sporting News Freshman All-America Team. As a sophomore and again as a junior, he claimed First-Team All-WAC honors.  During his college career, Tait helped lead the Cougars to a 29-11 record.

After three great years at BYU, Tait played 10 seasons in the NFL. He spent his first five years with the Kansas City Chiefs, who drafted him in the first round and 14th overall in 1999. John then signed with the Chicago Bears in 2004, where he played the rest of his career.

In 2006, Tait was given the Brian Piccolo Award, a recognition that the Bears annually give to the player who “best exemplifies the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor of the late Brian Piccolo.” During his professional tenure, Tait played in 148 games and started in 139 of them, including Super Bowl XLI.

After retiring from the NFL, Tait went back to school to complete his bachelor’s degree. In May 2012, he graduated from Columbia College in Chicago in film and video. As a student, he won awards for two different student films he entered into Columbia College’s Take 1 Film Festival.

John is a father of three and recently moved his family to California. He has worked with several charities and community groups over the last 10 years, including establishing the John Tait Foundation, which helped raise money and awareness for special needs children from 2000-03. He has also worked with other groups in the Kansas City and Chicago areas, including the Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education, First Downs for Down Syndrome, and the La Rabida Children’s Hospital.

In 2004 the Chicago Bears recognized Tait’s accomplishments, selflessness, and willingness to serve by nominating him for the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, an NFL honor that recognizes one player each year for his community service activities as well as his excellence on the field. In 2005, Tait was the recipient of the SEDOL Foundation Heart of Gold Award for his work with children and young adults with disabilities.

John and his wife, Jenava, have 3 children: Vanessa, Christian, and Alexandra.

Participated in spring drills...selected freshman All-America by The Sporting News...earned praise from the coaching staff for play against Texas A&M...coaches' lineman of the game vs. UTEP...started all 15 games.

First team All-Western Athletic Conference and Honorable mention Post-season All-America, College Sports News...started nine of 11 games in 1997, but missed two due to injury...named coaches' offensive lineman of the game vs. Washington, Arizona St., and Hawai`i.

Pre-season All-America third team by Bob Griese's College Football...started all 14 games at left tackle...All-WAC First Team Selection...Football News First Team...was named coaches' outstanding lineman for games against Alabama, Washington, Murray State, Fresno State, UTEP and Utah...elected to forego his senior season to enter the NFL draft...selected in the first round (14th overall) by the Kansas City Chiefs.