2026 tennessee state athletics
Hall of Fame

Granville “Sonny” Lyons was a four-year starter at free safety for Tennessee State and remains one of the most accomplished defensive backs in program history. A defensive captain and signal caller during his senior season, Lyons recorded 19 career interceptions, a school record that has stood since 1974. His first career interception came against Grambling State in just his third game as a starter. In 1974, he earned Associated Press All-America honors after anchoring one of the nation’s premier defenses. During Lyons’ career, Tennessee State lost only four games while capturing two national championships, two undefeated seasons, and victories in the 1971 Grantland Rice Bowl and 1973 Pioneer Bowl. Following graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Communications and Theatre, he signed free-agent contracts with the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings before returning to Tennessee State as a graduate assistant coach from 1975-76.