Tag: Al Wilson

Rod Smith among 16 former Broncos nominated for Hall of Fame

Five players who won Super Bowls with the Broncos have been nominated for the Hall of Fame, including wide receiver Rod Smith.

Rod Smith headlines the list of former Denver Broncos players who have been nominated for the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

The Hall of Fame announced 173 modern-era nominees on Tuesday, including 16 players who spent time with the Broncos.

Smith might have the strongest case. A two-time Super Bowl champion, Smith’s numbers (849 receptions for 11,389 yards and 68 touchdowns) are similar to those of Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irving (750/11,904/65). Smith is also the NFL’s all-time leading receiver among undrafted wide receivers.

Four other Broncos Super Bowl winners were also nominated — center Tom Nalen, guard Mark Schlereth, defensive lineman Neil Smith and kicker Jason Elam. Those four players and Smith helped the team win back-to-back championships in the late 1990s.

Two more recent wide receivers — Brandon Marshall and Wes Welker — were also nominated, as was hard-hitting inside linebacker Al Wilson.

Here’s a quick look at the 16 former Denver players who have been nominated for the Hall of Fame.

27 days until it is football time in Tennessee

Countdown to the 2023 season: 27 days until it is football time in Tennessee

Tennessee will kick off its 2023 football season in 27 days.

Linebacker Al Wilson played at Tennessee from 1995-98 and wore jersey No. 27.

He appeared in 37 games for the Vols, recording 174 tackles, 29 tackles for a loss, seven sacks, two interceptions, seven pass deflections, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2021.

Wilson and Tennessee won the 1998 BCS national championship in 1998.

PHOTOS: Tennessee defeats Florida State to win 1998 national championship

The Vols will kick off its 2023 season Sept. 2 versus Virginia at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Kickoff is slated for noon EDT and ABC will televise the contest.

Tennessee’s home schedule has contests against Austin Peay, UTSA, South Carolina, Texas A&M, UConn, Georgia and Vanderbilt.

The Vols’ road schedule features games at Alabama, Florida, Kentucky and Missouri.

The 2023 season will be Tennessee’s third under head coach Josh Heupel.

Tennessee’s 2023 football schedule

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DeMarcus Ware among ex-Broncos nominated for 2023 Hall of Fame class

After being snubbed last year, Broncos Super Bowl 50 champion DeMarcus Ware should be a favorite to reach the Hall of Fame this year.

After being snubbed by voters in his first year of eligibility in 2021, Denver Broncos Super Bowl 50 champion DeMarcus Ware has once again been nominated as a modern-era candidate for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Ware is among 11 former Broncos who were nominated this week, the Hall of Fame announced Tuesday. Five players who won back-to-back Super Bowls with Denver in the late 1990s headline the list: wide receiver Rod Smith, center Tom Nalen, kicker Jason Elam, guard Mark Schlereth and defensive lineman Neil Smith.

Some of those players had longer tenures with the Broncos than Ware, but he is arguably the team’s most accomplished candidate, and he’s probably the most likely to reach the Hall of Fame first.

Denver also had former linebackers Al Wilson and Seth Joyner, wide receiver Wes Welker, defensive lineman Simeon Rice and cornerback Dre’ Bly nominated for the 2023 Hall of Fame class.

Former Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar was snubbed as a senior candidate this year, as were Mike Shanahan and the late Dan Reeves as coach candidates. Denver hasn’t gotten the love it deserves from Hall of Fame voters historically, but Ware should be a strong candidate for the 2023 class.

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Al Wilson honored at Tennessee-South Carolina game

VFL Al Wilson honored at Tennessee-South Carolina game.

2021 College Football Hall of Fame linebacker Al Wilson was honored during halftime of Tennessee’s game against South Carolina Saturday.

Wilson played for the Vols between 1995-98. He helped guide Tennessee to the 1998 BCS national championship.

Wilson totaled 272 tackles, 27 tackles for a loss, 11 sacks, eight forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, 10 pass breakups and two interceptions in 42 games at Tennessee.

He will be the 25th UT player enshrined into the hall. That leads the Southeastern Conference and the Vols rank sixth nationally.

Wilson and the rest of the 2021 class will be inducted along with the class of 2020. The 2020 induction ceremony was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Below are photos of Wilson being honored on game day.

Tony Vitello greets Al Wilson at Neyland Stadium

Vols’ baseball head coach Tony Vitello greets Al Wilson at Neyland Stadium.

VFL and national champion linebacker Al Wilson is set to be enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame in December.

Wilson took part in the Vol Walk ahead of Tennessee’s contest against South Carolina on Saturday. He was also recognized at halftime.

Wilson helped the Vols win the 1998 BCS national championship. It was UT’s sixth national title and the first to be awarded during the BCS era.

He will be the 25th UT player enshrined in the hall. That leads the Southeastern Conference and the Vols rank sixth nationally.

Wilson and the rest of the 2021 class will be inducted along with the class of 2020. The 2020 induction ceremony was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Tennessee baseball head coach Tony Vitello also greeted Wilson on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

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Al Wilson leads Vol Walk ahead of Tennessee-South Carolina game

VFL Al Wilson leads Vol Walk ahead of the Tennessee-South Carolina game.

Tennessee (3-2, 1-1 SEC) will host South Carolina (3-2, 0-2 SEC) Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

Kickoff is slated for noon EDT and ESPN2 will televise the Southeastern Conference East division matchup.

Ahead of Saturday’s Tennessee-South Carolina contest, national champion linebacker Al Wilson took part in the Vol Walk entering Neyland Stadium.

Wilson helped the Vols win the 1998 BCS national championship. It was UT’s sixth national title and the first to be awarded during the BCS era.

Wilson is to be enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame in December.

He will be the 25th UT player enshrined in the hall. That leads the Southeastern Conference and the Vols rank sixth nationally.

Wilson and the rest of the 2021 class will be inducted along with the class of 2020. The 2020 induction ceremony was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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Al Wilson to lead Vol Walk ahead of South Carolina game

VFL Al Wilson to lead Vol Walk ahead of South Carolina game.

Tennessee (3-2, 1-1 SEC) will host South Carolina (3-2, 0-2 SEC) Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

Kickoff is slated for noon EDT and ESPN2 will televise the Southeastern Conference divisional matchup.

Ahead of Saturday’s Tennessee-South Carolina contest, national champion linebacker Al Wilson will join head coach Josh Heupel and UT’s team during the Vol Walk.

The Vol Walk is slated to start at 9:45 a.m. EDT.

Wilson helped the Vols win the 1998 BCS national championship. It was UT’s sixth national title and the first to be awarded during the BCS era.

Wilson is set to be enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame in December.

He becomes the 25th UT player to be enshrined in the hall. That leads the Southeastern Conference and the Vols are sixth nationally in that regard.

Wilson and the rest of the 2021 class will be inducted along with the class of 2020 in December. The 2020 induction ceremony was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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Tennessee national champion to be honored during South Carolina game

Tennessee national champion to be honored during the South Carolina game at Neyland Stadium.

Tennessee (3-2, 1-1 SEC) will host South Carolina (3-2, 0-2 SEC) Saturday at Neyland Stadium (noon EDT, ESPN2).

Former Tennessee linebacker Al Wilson will be honored during the Vols’ contest against South Carolina. Wilson will be recognized with his National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute.

Wilson helped the Vols win the 1998 BCS national championship. It was UT’s sixth national title and the first to be awarded during the BCS era.

He becomes the 25th UT player to be enshrined in the hall. That leads the Southeastern Conference and the Vols are sixth nationally in that regard.

Wilson and the rest of the 2021 class will be inducted along with the class of 2020 in December. The 2020 induction ceremony was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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Al Wilson selected to College Football Hall of Fame

Detailing Al Wilson’s selection to College Football Hall of Fame.

Former University of Tennessee football player Al Wilson will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Wilson, a linebacker and one of the most decorated defensive players in Volunteer football history, will be inducted as a member of the class of 2021, the National Football Foundation announced Monday.

He and the rest of the 2021 class will be inducted along with the class of 2020 in December. The 2020 induction ceremony was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wilson helped the Vols win the 1998 BCS national championship. It was UT’s sixth national title and the first to be awarded during the BCS era.

He becomes the 25th UT player to be enshrined in the hall. That leads the Southeastern Conference and the Vols are sixth nationally in that regard.

After his collegiate career, Wilson went on to play for the Denver Broncos. He made the Pro Bowl five times and amassed 21.5 career sacks and eight forced fumbles.

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Champ Bailey among 4 ex-Broncos nominated for College Football Hall of Fame

Champ Bailey is among four ex-Broncos players who were nominated for the College Football Hall of Fame.

The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame announced 177 players and 40 coaches nominated for the 2021 College Football Hall of Fame class on Tuesday.

Former Georgia cornerback Champ Bailey headlines the list of ex-Broncos players who are on this year’s ballot. Bailey is joined by Hawaii kicker Jason Elam, Stanford wide receiver Ed McCaffrey and Tennessee linebacker Al Wilson.

Denver’s defensive line coach, Bill Kollar (Montana State defensive end), was also nominated for college football’s 2021 Hall of Fame class.

Bailey spent time at cornerback, wide receiver and returner while with the Bulldogs, helping Georgia win the Peach Bowl in 1998. After earning consensus first-team All-American honors, Bailey was selected by the Redskins with the seventh overall pick in the 1999 NFL draft.

Five years later, Washington traded Bailey to the Broncos and he went on to become one of the greatest players in franchise history. During his 15-year career, Bailey earned 12 Pro Bowl nods and seven All-Pro selections.

A member of the NFL’s 2000s All-Decade Team and the Broncos’ 50th Anniversary Team, Bailey was added to the Pro Football Hall of Fame last year. He totaled 908 tackles, three sacks and 52 interceptions in the NFL.

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