Category: Pro Football Hall of Fame

Tom Brady jokes about attending Peyton Manning’s Hall of Fame induction

Tom Brady jokes about attending Peyton Manning’s Hall of Fame induction:

Peyton Manning will have a familiar face at his Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Sunday. Former rival and current Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady will be in attendance.

Throughout Manning’s career, the two quarterbacks faced off in numerous AFC showdowns. Despite that, the two often displayed a friendship off the field which clearly still rings true with Brady showing his support this weekend.

Manning confirmed Brady will be there during the broadcast of the Hall of Fame preseason game on Thursday.

“Tom Brady is coming in, sitting in my section. I’m not sure how my Colts teammates will handle that,” Manning said. “But that means a lot that he’s taking the time.”

Brady has explained his pending appearance in Canton, Ohio. In the social media persona that Brady has dusted off since joining Twitter, Brady joked that he’s just going to make sure Manning doesn’t have second thoughts:

Brady, who is looking to defend his Super Bowl title from last season, might have a sliver of seriousness in the back of his mind.

Super Bowls? Brady has seven to Manning’s two. Head-to-head, Brady hold an 11-6 record vs. Manning as well.

But in the postseason season, Manning has the 3-2 edge…

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Troy Polamalu tests positive for COVID days before HOF induction

Troy Polamalu has tested positive for COVID-19 a week before his HOF induction

Legendary Pittsburgh Steeler DB Troy Polamalu is going to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH, next week.

Now, there is a question of whether he will be able to attend the ceremonies.

Polamalu took to Twitter on Friday and announced he has tested positive for COVID-19.

Had it not been for the COVID-19 pandemic postponing the Class of 2020 induction until this year, Polamalu would already be enshrined.

Polamalu played 12 seasons as a strong safety with the Steelers from 2003-2014.

The Class of 2020 will be inducted on Aug. 7 with the Class of 2021 following on Aug. 8.

“We are disappointed for Troy right now and pray for his quick recovery with no complications,” David Baker, President & CEO of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, said in a press release. “We’ll work with him to make sure he’s honored as an enshrinee the way he should be — and that’s mindful of others in the Centennial Class, fans and everyone else in attendance. He had an incredible football career and will have an equally incredible career as a Hall of Famer.”

Giants’ George Young and 8 other Hall of Famers to be honored with TV special

Late New York Giants general manager George Young will honored during 2021 NFL draft weekend.

Former New York Giants general manager George Young and eight other new members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame will receive special recognition with a TV program on the weekend of the NFL draft.

From the PFHOF:

The Pro Football Hall of Fame will celebrate the careers and contributions of nine men – members of either the Centennial Class of 2020 or the Class of 2021 – during a 90-minute special that will air Saturday, May 1 on NFL Network and Tuesday, May 4 on ESPN2.

Those to be honored posthumously during “Hall of Famer Forever: Enshrinement Special” are Centennial Class of 2020 members Bobby Dillon, Winston Hill, Alex Karras, Steve Sabol, Duke Slater, Mac Speedie, Ed Sprinkle and George Young, as well as Bill Nunn from the Class of 2021.

Dillon, Hill, Karras, Nunn, Sabol, Slater, Speedie, Sprinkle and Young also will be recognized this summer during their respective Enshrinements – the Centennial Class of 2020 on Saturday, Aug. 7 and the Class of 2021 on Sunday, Aug. 8.

Young was the Giants’ general manager from 1979-1997, leading them out of the “wilderness era” to two Super Bowl championships and changing the culture of the franchise.

Young was named NFL Executive of the Year five times and also won a Super Bowl and an NFL championship as an assistant coach with the Baltimore Colts from 1968-1974.

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Deion Sanders leads Jackson State to 53-0 win in coaching debut

Deion Sanders led Jackson State to a 53-0 victory in front of former Cowboys teammate Troy Aikman

As head-coaching debuts go, Deion Sanders and Jackson State could not have found a softer opponent, which led to a predictably successful result.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back led the Tigers against NAIA school Edward Waters on Sunday at Mississippi Veteran Memorial Stadium. Jackson State went on to a 53-0 victory over a school that was coming off a 1-10 season.

Sanders had an unexpected visitor in another Hall of Famer. Former Dallas Cowboys star Troy Aikman was in attendance.

Aikman and Sanders played together on the Cowboys from 1995-99 and won the 1995 Super Bowl. Aikman received a COVID-19 test before heading down to the field.

 Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger

Drew Pearson with emotional response to learning he is Hall of Famer

Dallas Cowboys star is in a Pro Football Hall of Famer a year after Canton heartbreak

A year after the disappointment that turned into anger, former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Drew Pearson is a Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Pearson was emotional and humble as he received the news from PFHOF honcho David Baker with his former quarterback Roger Staubach and Dallas Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones present.

The decision was announced officially during NFL Honors on Saturday.

Tears flowed last year but for a different reason. Pearson said repeatedly, “They broke my heart … they broke my heart” after learning he would not be part of the Class of 2020.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxDbFn8DCz4

A year later, the original No. 88 will take his place in Canton, presuming the pandemic subsides and the ceremony can take place in August.

Peyton Manning tops Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalists

Peyton Manning tops the first-year semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021.

The list of semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame was released on Tuesday. Peyton Manning will certainly get in as a member of the Class of 2021. The other three first-year semifinalists are Jared Allen, Calvin Johnson, and Charles Woodson.

Expect Johnson and Woodson to easily become Hall of Famers along with Manning.

The complete list:

CLASS OF 2021 MODERN-ERA PLAYER SEMIFINALISTS

The following is the list of 2021 Modern-Era Semifinalists, including their positions, years and teams. Also listed are the number of times and years the candidate has been named a semifinalist since this reduction vote was added to the Bylaws for the Selection Committee in 2004.

  • Eric Allen, CB – 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2021)
  • Jared Allen, DE – 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2021)
  • Willie Anderson, T – 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2021)
  • Ronde Barber, CB/S – 1997-2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2018-2021)
  • Cornelius Bennett, LB – 1987-1995 Buffalo Bills, 1996-98 Atlanta Falcons, 1999-2000 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2021)
  • Tony Boselli, T – 1995-2001 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2002 Houston Texans (injured reserve) | (Times as a Semifinalist: 6 – 2016-2021)
  • LeRoy Butler, S – 1990-2001 Green Bay Packers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2018-2021)
  • Alan Faneca, G – 1998-2007 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2008-09 New York Jets, 2010 Arizona Cardinals | (Times as a Semifinalist: 6 – 2016-2021)
  • Rodney Harrison, S – 1994-2002 San Diego Chargers, 2003-08 New England Patriots | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2021)
  • Torry Holt, WR – 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars | (Times as a Semifinalist: 7 – 2015-2021)
  • Calvin Johnson, WR – 2007-2015 Detroit Lions | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2021)
  • John Lynch, FS – 1993-2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004-07 Denver Broncos | (Times as a Semifinalist: 9 – 2013-2021)
  • Peyton Manning, QB – 1998-2011 Indianapolis Colts (injured reserved 2011), 2012-15 Denver Broncos | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2021)
  • Clay Matthews, LB – 1978-1993 Cleveland Browns, 1994-96 Atlanta Falcons | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2012, 2017, 2019-2021)
  • Sam Mills, LB – 1986-1994 New Orleans Saints, 1995-97 Carolina Panthers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2016, 2019-2021)
  • Richard Seymour, DE/DT – 2001-08 New England Patriots, 2009-2012 Oakland Raiders | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2018-2021)
  • Steve Tasker, ST/WR – 1985-86 Houston Oilers, 1986-1997 Buffalo Bills | (Times as a Semifinalist: 8 – 2004, 2008-2010, 2012-13, 2020-21)
  • Fred Taylor, RB – 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2020-21)
  • Zach Thomas, LB – 1996-2007 Miami Dolphins, 2008 Dallas Cowboys | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2019-2021)
  • Hines Ward, WR – 1998-2011 Pittsburgh Steelers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2017-2021)
  • Reggie Wayne, WR – 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2020-21)
  • Patrick Willis, LB – 2007-2014 San Francisco 49ers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2020-21)
  • Charles Woodson, CB/S – 1998-2005, 2013-15 Oakland Raiders, 2006-2012 Green Bay Packers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2021)
  • Darren Woodson, S – 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2015, 2017, 2019-2021)
  • Bryant Young, DT – 1994-2007 San Francisco 49ers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2020-21)

Pro Football Hall of Famer Floyd Little enters hospice care

Pro Football Hall of Famer Floyd Little has entered hospice care

The great former Syracuse and Denver Broncos running back Floyd Little has entered hospice care after undergoing cancer treatments since the spring.

“Floyd’s courageous battle with a difficult disease (cancer) is now at a critical stage in his life,” former Syracuse teammate Pat Killorin wrote on Facebook Saturday night. “This is a time when a husband and wife must make important decisions regarding potential end of life decisions.”

Today we are going to talk about a new phase in Floyd’s journey…. hospice,” Killorin wrote. ” … In the many years I have had the honor to be a family caregiver for hospice, I have seen the mentral strain, tearful decision-making process, and frustration of two people in love asking the Lord to take their hand and guide them to make the right decision for their loved one. So much is discussed that is heartbreaking, however necessary for peace of mind. Hospice provides a chaplain to help hospice patients as they struggle through this process.”

He was the NFL rushing champion in 1971 (1,133 yards) and currently ranks second in team history in rushing attempts (1,641), yards (6,323), and touchdowns (43), behind fellow Hall of Famer Terrell Davis in all three categories.

A Gofundme called Friends of Floyd has been ongoing. You can click here if you wish to contribute.

Legendary Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers dies at 77

Pro Football Hall of Famer Gale Sayers, the great Chicago Bears running back, has died at the age of 77

The world of football has lost one of its greatest Hall of Famers. Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers died Wednesday at the age of 77.

He had been diagnosed with dementia in 2012, his wife Ardythe announced in 2017.

“All those who love the game of football mourn the loss of one of the greatest to ever play this Game with the passing of Chicago Bears legend Gale Sayers,” Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker said in a statement. “He was the very essence of a team player — quiet, unassuming and always ready to compliment a teammate for a key block. Gale was an extraordinary man who overcame a great deal of adversity during his NFL career and life.

 “The ‘Kansas Comet’ burst onto the scene in the National Football League and captured the attention of all of America. Despite playing only 68 NFL games because of an injury-shortened career, Gale was a clear-cut — and first-ballot — Hall of Famer for his accomplishments on the field and for the man of character he was in life.

“The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Gale. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Ardie, and their entire family. We will forever keep his legacy alive to serve as inspiration for future generations. The Hall of Fame flag will fly at half-staff until he is laid to rest.”

Sayers, the “Kansas Comet,” was drafted in 1965 out of Kansas. The Bears had back-to-back selections and chose Dick Butkus out of Illinois third and then Sayers fourth.

Sayers scored 56 touchdowns in 64 games over his first five seasons in the NFL from 1965-69 — 39 rushing, nine receiving, six on kickoff returns, and two on punt returns. He also threw a touchdown pass. Sayers totaled 9,435 all-purpose yards.

“If you wish to see perfection as a running back, you had best get a hold of a film of Gale Sayers,” Bears founder George Halas said in 1977 when he presented Sayers for Hall of Fame enshrinement. “He was poetry in motion. His like will never be seen again.”

His career was ruined by a knee injury suffered against the San Francisco 49ers in 1968.

Per the Chicago Tribune:

The play — “49 Toss Left” — was called in the huddle by quarterback Virgil Carter. It was designed to be run to the outside of the left tackle. It called for Sayers’ blocker, Randy Jackson, to lead the way, but instead of waiting a half second for the play to unfold, Sayers instinctively ran up on the heels of his blocker.

Sayers planted his right leg to make a cut, but San Francisco 49ers right cornerback back Kermit Alexander lunged ahead and pounced on his leg.

There was no arthroscopic surgery then and the damage done took away much of his speed and elusiveness. He did run for a league-leading 1,032 yards in 1969 but suffered another knee injury the following year.

Sayers gained mainstream notice for his friendship with fellow Bears RB Brian Piccolo. Their bond became the movie “Brian’s Song, which told the story of how the free-agent Piccolo and Sayers became close friends and of cancer that struck down Piccolo.

“You flatter me by giving me this award,” Sayers said in his speech for the George Halas Award. “But I tell you that I accept it for Brian Piccolo. It is mine tonight. It is Brian Piccolo’s tomorrow.”

Cardinals Hall of Fame DB, executive Larry Wilson dies at 82

Longtime Cardinals exec and Hall of Fame DB Larry Wilson has died at 82

Larry Wilson, a Hall of Fame defensive back for the St. Louis franchise who went on to become a team executive died Thursday night at the age of 82.

 

A seventh-round draft pick by the Cardinals, Wilson played all 13 years of his career in St. Louis and was named an All-Pro five times. Wilson finished his career with a franchise-leading 52 interceptions and his No. 8 is just one of five retired numbers in the franchise’s history. He spent 43 years with the organization overall.

In the NFL’s commemoration of its 100th season last year, Wilson was one of six safeties selected to the NFL All-Time Team. Wilson was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978.

“The game lost a true legend with the passing of Pro Football Hall of Famer Larry Wilson,” Hall of Fame president & CEO David Baker aaid. “He was not only one of the greatest to ever play the game, but one of the nicest and kindest men I have ever met. The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Larry.”

Who are the leading first-year Pro Football Hall of Fame eligibles?

Peyton Manning and Calvin Johnson lead the first-year eligibles for the Pro Football HOF.

The nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021 were released Wednesday. The star-studded, first-year group is headed by locks in quarterback Peyton  Manning, wideout Calvin Johnson, and DB Charles Woodson.

A look at the first-year eligibles:

Quarterback – Peyton Manning

Wide Receivers – Calvin Johnson, Wes Welker, Roddy White

Tight End –Heath Miller

Running Back – Steven Jackson

Offensive Linemen – D’Brickashaw Ferguson (T), Logan Mankins (G)

Defensive Backs – Charles Tillman (CB), Charles Woodson (CB/S)

Defensive Linemen – Jared Allen (DE), Justin Tuck (DE), Kevin Williams (DT)

For the entire list, click here.