Tag: Hall of Fame

Former Notre Dame infielder Cavan Biggio traded to Los Angeles Dodgers

Hope he does well with his new team.

[autotag]Cavan Biggio[/autotag] wasn’t out of an MLB job for very long. Less than a week after the Toronto Blue Jays designated the former Notre Dame infielder and son of Baseball Hall of Famer Craig Biggio for assignment, a trade partner was found in the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Blue Jays traded Biggio to the Dodgers for minor-league pitcher Braydon Fisher. So basically, Biggio is swapping one blue uniform for another and will be in a much better position going to a World Series contender.

Biggio is in his sixth MLB season and has spent his entire professional career with the Blue Jays until now. This year has been a struggle for him as he’s slashed .200/.323/.291 for a career-worst .614 OPS over 44 games. Perhaps going into a situation where he won’t be pressured or expected to do as much on a stacked roster will be beneficial for him.

Best of luck to Biggio in his new surroundings.

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Major special guest confirmed for Tom Brady’s Patriots Hall of Fame ceremony

Tom Brady’s Patriots Hall of Fame ceremony will be a star-studded event

New England Patriots legend Tom Brady will be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame and have his jersey number retired on Wednesday.

Several big names will be on hand at the event, including six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach Bill Belichick, as noted in the latest report from The Athletic’s Chad Graff.

This will be the first time Belichick has returned to Gillette Stadium since splitting with the team back in January.

Brady was honored in a shorter ceremony during halftime of the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles last year. This event promises to be even bigger, with more than 200 of Brady’s former teammates expected to attend, among other guests.

Graff wrote:

The response from Brady’s former teammates has been astounding. The team is expecting more than 200 of his former teammates to return to Foxboro for the event along with dozens of coaches and some A-list celebrities Brady has befriended.

Yes, that includes Bill Belichick. The former coach who split with the team in January hasn’t been back to Gillette since parting with the Pats. He is expected to be there Wednesday.

It’s going to be quite the sight to see with so many legends, both on and off the field, at Wednesday’s ceremony. It will undoubtedly encapsulate the impact Brady has had not only in New England but in the sports world as a whole.

Gary Kubiak and Tom Jackson will serve as presenters for 2024 Hall of Fame class

Tom Jackson (Randy Gradishar) and Gary Kubiak (Andre Johnson) will serve as presenters for the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

The 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement weekend will be dotted with former Denver Broncos.

Former linebacker and anchor of the “Orange Crush” defense Randy Gradishar will be presented in Canton by teammate Tom Jackson, as Broncos Wire has previously noted.

In a press release issued by the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier this week, it was revealed that there will be another former Bronco in August. Former Houston Texans and Denver head coach Gary Kubiak will be presenting wide receiver Andre Johnson.

Kubiak was a backup to Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway from 1983-1991, and was the offensive coordinator for the Broncos’ Super Bowl XXXII and XXXIII teams. Kubiak also coached the Broncos to their third Super Bowl title in 2015 before stepping down in 2017.

The Hall of Fame Game featuring the Texans and Chicago Bears will kick off festivities in Canton this summer on Aug. 1, followed by a gold jacket dinner for the 2024 class on Aug. 2 and an enshrinement ceremony on Aug. 3.

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Two former Georgia players included on 2025 College Football Hall of Fame ballot

Former UGA running back and former defensive tackle considered for 2025 College Football Hall of Fame

The ballot for the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame class was announced early Monday, and two Bulldogs legends were among those included. Former running back Garrison Hearst and former defensive tackle Richard Seymour were listed among 77 total players on the ballot to be considered for induction.

Hearst played three seasons for the Bulldogs from 1990 to 1992, culminating in a junior year campaign that saw him rush for 1,547 yards on 228 carries with 19 touchdown runs. Hearst would win the Doak Walker Award and finish third in the Heisman Trophy voting for that year. He would go on to be drafted by the then Phoenix Cardinals third overall and play 12 seasons in the NFL.

Seymour played four years for the Bulldogs, earning all-conference selections in his junior and senior seasons. He would also earn all-American honors as a senior, recording 78 tackles and 10.5 tackles-for-loss in his best statistical year as a Bulldog. Seymour would also play 12 seasons in the NFL, winning three Super Bowls during his time with the New England Patriots. He was elected to the pro football Hall of Fame in 2022.

21 former Georgia Bulldogs are currently in the Hall of Fame. Hearst’s lack of inclusion is particularly notable based on his high standing in Georgia football history as well as the recency of some other running backs included on this year’s ballot such as Kenjon Barner and Montee Ball. The official announcement of the class will be made in early 2025.

2 former Broncos are on the ballot for 2025 College Football Hall of Fame

Former Broncos Montee Ball and Simeon Rice are on the ballot for the 2025 College Hall of Fame class.

Two former Denver Broncos players are on the ballot for the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame class.

Former Wisconsin running back Montee Ball and Illinois linebacker Simeon Rice are candidates for next year’s class, the National Football Foundation announced Tuesday.

Ball was a two-time consensus first-team All-American who tied Barry Sanders for the most touchdowns in a single season (39). Rice was also a two-time first-team All-American, and he holds a conference record for the most career sacks (44.5).

Ball was picked by the Broncos in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft. He spent two years in Denver and has a great comeback story.

Simeon Rice was picked by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 1996 NFL draft and he later won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He spent six games with the Broncos in his final season in 2007.

Recent players and coaches with Broncos connections to reach the CFHOF include Bill Kollar and Tim Tebow (2023), Champ Bailey (2022), Al Wilson (2021) and Peyton Manning (2017).

Member voting for the 2025 Hall of Fame class runs through July 1.

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Nick Saban is on the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame induction ballot

Former Alabama Crimson Tide football head coach Nick Saban is on the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame induction ballot

Former Alabama Crimson Tide head football coach Nick Saban has been announced as a possible inductee for the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class. The full ballot was recently announced, and Saban was one of a few notable figures in the realm of college football to be a first-time ballot member.

Saban was hired at Alabama in 2006 and had a Hall of Fame career during his tenure in Tuscaloosa, which lasted through the 2023 season. In his time with the program, he amassed nine SEC championships and six national championships.

He had a few coaching jobs prior to getting to Alabama. Most notably, Saban was the head coach of the LSU Tigers from 2000-2004, where he won two SEC championships and a national title in 2003.

The Football Foundation, who revealed the ballot, said of Saban:

“Boasts the most national championships in FBS history, winning four BCS titles and three CFP championships during his career…First coach in history to win a national title with two different FBS schools (LSU, Alabama) since the inception of the AP Poll in 1936 and finished career with the sixth-most wins (292) all-time in FBS history…Led Bama to a top 10 final ranking in 16-consecutive seasons, including 12 top five finishes, and won 11 conference titles and 19 bowl games overall.”

Along with Saban are two other former members of the Alabama football program. Heisman-winning running back Mark Ingram is also on the ballot, as is former Crimson Tide offensive tackle Chris Samuels.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football news and the possible induction of Saban, Ingram and Samuels to the College Football Hall of Fame class of 2025.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

Saints to honor Drew Brees this season, perhaps vs. Broncos

The Saints will add Drew Brees to their Hall of Fame this fall. Honoring him against the Sean Payton-led Broncos in Week 7 would make sense.

The New Orleans Saints announced last week that they will add quarterback Drew Brees to their Hall of Fame this season.

Brees won’t become eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame until 2026, but the Saints are adding him to their own version two years earlier. The team has not yet announced which game they will honor the quarterback this fall, but doing so against the Sean Payton-led Denver Broncos would make sense.

“So the Saints have a private group that does their own little Hall of Fame and it’s a great thing,” Payton said after a practice session last week. “It’s separate from the Ring of Fame or Ring of Honor. When I called back today, someone was telling me that he was going in. I don’t know which game will be the game.”

When asked if Brees would be honored against the Broncos in Week 7, Payton said “maybe.”

Payton is set to return to New Orleans to face the Saints on Thursday Night Football on Oct. 17 this fall. Given that Brees broke records and won a Super Bowl with Payton as his coach, it would make sense to honor the QB with Payton in the building.

So while there hasn’t been an announcement yet, Brees’ Hall of Fame recognition happening in Week 7 seems like a good bet.

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Broncos likely to wear throwback uniform vs. Raiders in Week 5

The Broncos are expected to wear their iconic throwback uniform when they honor their 1977 team against the Raiders in Week 5.

The Denver Broncos have not yet announced their uniform schedule for the 2024 NFL season, but one game’s uniform set is easy to predict.

The Broncos are set to host the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High in Week 5. The team will add safety Steve Foley and tight end Riley Odoms to their Ring of Fame at halftime of that game and linebacker Randy Gradishar will be recognized for his Pro Football Hall of Fame nod.

Additionally, the entire 1977 team will be invited to Alumni Weekend so Denver can honor the squad that reached the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. Given that the Broncos dubbed their throwbacks “the ‘77 classics” in April, it seems safe to assume that uniform will be worn against the Raiders in Week 5.

It’s a perfect game to debut the throwback look because the Raiders are one of Denver’s oldest rivals dating back to the launch of the AFL in 1960.

So mark your calendars, Broncos fans. The throwback uniform is expected to make its debut on Sunday, Oct. 6.

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Saints share behind-the-scenes video of Drew Brees Hall of Fame announcement

The New Orleans Saints shared a behind-the-scenes video of Drew Brees’ team Hall of Fame announcement and his return to Airline Drive:

Now this is cool. The New Orleans Saints shared a must-see video going behind the scenes for Friday’s announcement that Drew Brees would be inducted to the Saints Hall of Fame.

Brees returned to the team practice facility with his family wearing a Team Gleason shirt, embracing owner Gayle Benson and catching up with old friends and coworkers — not just teammates like Cameron Jordan but the team equipment staff and those whose names are never heard on game days, but whose efforts keep the team moving forward. Brees also addressed the team’s current players after practice, at Dennis Allen’s invitation.

“Off the cuff here,” Brees chuckled. “He asked me what I miss the most about this game. I miss the locker room, I miss the fellas, I miss my teammates, but I miss the highest level of competition. … I wish nothing but the best for you and I’m always here as a resource for you. Once a Saint, always a Saint.”

It was an emotional day at Airline Drive. Brees spoke about the lack of closure he ended his career with during the COVID-19 pandemic and the health challenges that have trailed him into retirement, but he also took time to reflect on the decades of good memories and strong relationships he built during his time with the Saints. Getting this look at what he experienced walking the halls again, even if it’s only a glance, sure is special.

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Sean Payton responds to Drew Brees going into the Saints Hall of Fame

Sean Payton responds to Drew Brees going into the Saints Hall of Fame, says ‘maybe’ Week 7’s Broncos game could include ceremony

The New Orleans Saints announced Thursday that legendary quarterback and Super Bowl XLIV Most Valuable Player Drew Brees will be inducted to the team Hall of Fame in 2024, teeing up one of the easier decisions that voters will have had to agree upon.

Now comes the hard part: choosing when to celebrate Brees’ induction. The Saints traditionally schedule festivities around an upcoming home game, and they have nine dates to choose from in 2024. Obviously Brees being the center of attention carries more weight than in other years. Choosing the right date might be tricky.

And there’s one tempting complication. Brees’ old coach Sean Payton is visiting the Saints with his new Denver Broncos team in Week 7 this fall. Payton addressed the news of Brees’ selection after Broncos practice on Thursday.

“So the Saints have a private group that do their own little Hall of Fame, it’s a great thing. It’s separate from the Ring of Honor. And when I called back today someone was telling me that he was going in. I don’t know which game will be the game that (he’s inducted), but hey, maybe (it’s us),” Payton grinned.

It would make a ton of sense for Brees to be formally inducted to the Saints Hall of Fame during Oct. 17’s prime-time game against Payton’s Broncos; the matchup is already being broadcast nationally on Amazon Prime Video under the Thursday Night Football spotlight, and having Payton on hand as the coach who Brees accomplished so much with would be a nice touch. You just have to wonder whether the team might feel Payton’s return to New Orleans could be too great a distraction on top of everything else surrounding Brees’ induction and the emotionally-charged game itself.

Still, it’s a very tempting opportunity to get the gang back together, at least for one night. We’ll see what the Saints are cooking up when they announce plans for Brees’ induction ceremony later this year.

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