Tag: Hall of Fame

NFL scout says Caleb Williams is ‘most likely’ to become Hall of Fame player

One NFL scout assigns a Hall of Fame ceiling to Caleb Williams. We hope he’s right.

Emmanuel Acho, Joy Taylor, James Jones and Jordan Schultz react to an NFL scout predicting former USC Trojans star and 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams being the “most likely” to become a Hall of Fame player in the 2024 quarterback class. The crew then discusses whether there is too much pressure on the former USC quarterback as he prepares to become the top pick of the NFL draft and then take the reins in Chicago with the Bears.

Here’s what one NFL analyst said about Caleb Williams:

“Williams’ play is highlighted by rare escapability paired with the talent to exploit defenses once the play breaks down. He’s not tall, but he is well-built, with an arm to challenge defenses across the field. He can be a high-impact playmaker on the go or an effective pocket passer when he allows himself to trust his eyes on second and third reads. He can improve his accuracy and placement on intermediate and deep throws, but he’s unlikely to be known for pinpoint accuracy. It is admirable that he looks to keep his eyes up and make throws outside the pocket, but he’ll make things easier on himself early in his pro career by becoming a more decisive scrambler to move the sticks and carry on to the next set of downs.”

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Floyd Little was the best player to wear No. 44 for the Broncos

A member of the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame, Floyd Little was the best player to ever wear No. 44 for the Broncos.

Floyd Little was the best player to ever wear jersey No. 44 for the Denver Broncos.

After playing college football at Syracuse, Little was drafted by the Broncos in the first round (sixth overall) in the 1967 NFL draft. He went on to spend his entire nine-year career in Denver, rushing for 6,323 yards and 43 touchdowns.

Little was a five-time Pro Bowler and one-time first-team All-Pro. He led the NFL with 1,133 rushing yards in 1971, and his 12 rushing touchdowns in 1973 tired for the most in the league that season.

A three-time first-team All-American in College, Little had his No. 44 retired by the Syracuse Orange. The Broncos also retired Little’s number and the team added him to their Ring of Fame in 1984.

Little was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. His 6,323 career rushing yards rank second in franchise history only behind fellow Hall of Famer Terrell Davis (7,607 yards).

Nicknamed “The Franchise,” Little helped prevent the Broncos from moving out of Denver in the 1960s. He was one of the best (and most important) players in franchise history.

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Victor Wembanyama is clearly the most likely current San Antonio Spur to make the Hall of Fame

Let’s just say it was not a hard call.

Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale surveyed the entire NBA to find the most likely future Hall of Famer on their respective rosters, and when it came to the San Antonio Spurs, well, let’s just say it was not a hard call. Given the Spurs are neck deep in a major rebuild that truly hit its stride when San Antonio drafted French forward phenom Victor Wembanyama, there aren’t other options worth considering.

And it is not just because of the youth and inexperience on the roster, given Wembanyama has already confirmed he is a generational prospect in the few short months he’s played of his rookie season so far. “Winning Defensive Player of the Year right out of the gate isn’t happening,” writes Favale.

“But Wemby could be the first player to nab First Team All-Defense honors in his debut season.”

“And we know he’s going to run away with Rookie of the Year at a time when there’s another historically significant new kid on the block in Oklahoma City,” he adds.

“Wemby has established himself as an interstellar anomaly, the type of dominant force who, when all’s said and done, could have multiple seasons in which he wins both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year.”

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WATCH: Rondé Barber’s Hall of Fame speech

Relive Rondé Barber’s awesome induction speech at the Pro Football Hall of Fame

After a long wait, Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend Rondé Barber was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023.

One of the most unique and dynamic playmakers in the history of the game, Barber redefined the slot/nickel cornerback position, revolutionizing the game. He was finally rewarded with his gold jacket and a bronze bust in Canton, joining three other members of Tampa Bay’s legendary Super Bowl defense of 2002.

Back in August, Barber delivered an impassioned speech at the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony, recounting his incredible journey on the gridiron from third-round draft pick to football immortality:

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WATCH: Wisconsin legend Bo Ryan reacts to his Naismith Hall of Fame selection

Your reaction to Bo Ryan’s Hall of Fame induction?

Legendary Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2024 on Saturday afternoon.

Ryan is part of a decorated class that includes Vince Carter, Chauncey Billups, Doug Collins, Jerry West (as a contributor) and Michael Collins.

Related: Ranking the Big Ten head basketball coaches after the 2023-24 season

The Badgers legend retired in 2016 after a 15-year run that defined the Wisconsin basketball program. He led the program to a 364-130 overall record, plus 15 NCAA Tournament appearances, two Final Fours and one national championship game. He was a four-time Big Ten Coach of the Year and 2017 Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame inductee.

Ryan joined ESPN’s Rece Davis and Jay Bilas immediately after the news was released and detailed his reaction:

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Wisconsin legend voted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Great news for a Wisconsin legend:

Wisconsin legend Bo Ryan was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday morning.

Ryan appeared on the ballot in December and joins a 13-person class of 2024 that includes Doug Collins, Vince Carter, Dick Barnett and Jerry West (as a contributor). The class will be inducted into the hall on Aug. 17, 2024 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Related: Tracking Wisconsin basketball’s reported transfer portal visits and targets

Ryan retired in 2016 after a 15-year run as Wisconsin’s head coach. He led the Badgers to a 364-130 overall record, 15 NCAA Tournament appearances, two Final Fours and one national championship game. He was a four-time Big Ten Coach of the Year and was annually regarded as one of the best coaches in the sport.

“I’m grateful and humbled by an honor like this,” Ryan said in a statement. “But I sincerely believe that this is a reflection of the contributions of so many people that have helped me in my career.”

The coaching legend was inducted into the Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017. He now earns the sport’s highest honor.

 

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

Bears legend Steve McMichael hospitalized

The McMichael family is asking for prayers.

Chicago Bears legendary defensive tackle Steve “Mongo” McMichael was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday, his family announced in a statement that was shared via WGN’s Jarrett Payton. McMichael was admitted to the hospital and is undergoing tests. A few hours later, Payton shared an update that McMichael has a urinary tract infection and will be returning home.

McMichael was diagnosed with ALS in 2021 and has been in and out of the hospital the last couple of years. Most recently, McMichael was admitted to the hospital in mid-February and was diagnosed with MRSA. He was released a few days later after undergoing a blood transfusion.

The former Bears great spent 13 of his 15 seasons in Chicago, becoming one of the key cogs of the 1985 Super Bowl champion defense. McMichael racked up 95 sacks over the course of his career to go along with 847 tackles. In February, he was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 and will be enshrined in Canton this August.

Former Saints trainer Dean Kleinschmidt recognized by Pro Football Hall of Fame

Former New Orleans Saints trainer Dean Kleinschmidt was recognized by Pro Football Hall of Fame with their Awards of Excellence for 2024:

Dean Kleischmidt, former New Orleans Saints head athletic trainer, was one of the recipients for this year’s Awards of Excellence by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Kleinschmidt spent 31 years working for the Saints, starting in 1969 as an assistant athletic trainer. He was promoted to head athletic trainer in 1971 at age 23 and was the youngest person to hold that position in the NFL.

“He’s been my mentor when I was doing athletic training, he’s been a friend, a close friend, for now 50 years,” said Saints executive director of administration Jay Romig. “He’s a tremendous person and is so well-deserving to (be honored by) the Professional Football Hall of Fame.”

Kleinschmidt is also a member of the Louisiana Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame, the National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame, the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame and the Southeastern Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame.

“He’s played a big part in the history of football, football in this area and wherever he’s been,” Romig said.

The Awards of Excellence, first given out in 2022, recognize assistant coaches, athletic trainers, equipment managers, film/video directors and public relations personnel who have made major contributions to the game. The Hall of Fame itself does not take part in the nomination process.

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Broncos won’t play in NFL’s Hall of Fame Game this summer

Broncos great Randy Gradishar will be enshrined in Canton this summer, but the Broncos won’t play in the Hall of Fame Game.

The Denver Broncos will have one former player enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer, but the team won’t be featured in the league’s annual Hall of Fame Game.

The Chicago Bears will face the Houston Texans in the the first game of the preseason on Thursday, Aug. 1 in Canton, Ohio.

The Bears have three players — return specialist Devin Hester, defensive lineman Steve McMichael and pass rusher Julius Peppers — set to be enshrined. The Texans, meanwhile, have wide receiver Andre Johnson as the franchise’s first-ever Hall of Famer.

After the Hall of Fame Game, the 2024 class will be enshrined on Saturday, Aug. 3. Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar was elected to this year’s class as a senior candidate.

Denver played the Atlanta Falcons in the Hall of Fame Game in 2019, kicking off the preseason with a 14-10 win. This year, the Broncos will have a set of three preseason games beginning the week of Aug. 5.

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Aaron Donald is eligible for Hall of Fame in 2029, and he’s a first-ballot lock

Aaron Donald will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2029 and he’s a lock to get in on his first ballot

The Pro Football Hall of Fame should ask Aaron Donald his jacket size and set aside a spot for his bust in Canton because he’ll be there in five years.

Donald announced his retirement from the NFL on Friday, leaving the game of football after 10 seasons. He’ll go down as one of the best players in league history, which is a remarkable accomplishment for a defensive tackle – and one who was perceived as undersized, too.

With Donald retiring, the clock will start ticking on his Hall of Fame eligibility. Players must be retired for at least five years before they’re eligible to be voted into the Hall of Fame, which means Donald will be on the ballot for the first time in 2029.

Former Eagles center Jason Kelce will be eligible in 2029, too, as will another stud defensive tackle: Fletcher Cox. Donald could have retired four years ago and still been a lock for the Hall of Fame, but there’s absolutely no doubt he will get voted in as a unanimous selection on the first ballot in 2029.

On his resume are three Defensive Player of the Year awards, Defensive Rookie of the Year, 10 Pro Bowl selections, eight first-team All-Pro nods and the title as the NFL’s leader in sacks in 2018 when he had 20.5.