Lee Mays Is First Miner Inducted Twice Into UTEP Hall of Fame

When UTEP announced its 2020 Hall of Fame class earlier this week, one name earned a special distinction among the all-time great Miners. Lee Mays, who starred for UTEP before playing four seasons in the NFL will be inducted twice in the same year.

The man known as "TD Lee" earned that nickname during his sophomore and junior seasons when he found the end zone 24 times. He finished his career with the Miners as the school's all-time receptions leader with 200. His 2,908 receiving yards is second best in program history. He was also the 2000 Humanitarian Bowl Player of the Game when he caught 15 passes for 291 yards.

In addition to being one of the most dominant receivers to wear a Miners uniform, Mays was on the 2000 UTEP team, the only football squad ever to finish first in the Western Athletic Conference. That team won 8 games and they finished tied for the WAC lead with TCU. UTEP played Boise State in the Humanitarian Bowl but lost to the Broncos on their home field 38-23. The 2000 Miners will also be inducted as a team into the UTEP Hall of Fame.

When his time with UTEP came to an end, Mays was selected by the Pitsburgh Steelers in the 6th round of the 2002 NFL Draft and he made the team. Although he never scored an NFL touchdown, Mays returned kickoffs as a rookie and his best year with the Steelers came in 2004. That season, he caught 9 passes for 137 yards and started a game. Mays also has a Super Bowl ring after Pittsburgh beat the Seattle Seahawks 21-10 in Super Bowl XL.

Mays was always one of the most popular Miners, a fan favorite who was extremely personable both on and off the field. It is great to see him join such an exclusive club of the best UTEP athletes and coaches in school history.