Tag: Hall of Fame

Saints announce plans for Jahri Evans to go into their Ring of Honor

The Saints announced plans for Jahri Evans to go into their Ring of Honor during this week’s game. It’s another boost to his Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy:

New Orleans Saints fans attending this week’s game with the Cleveland  Browns are in for a treat. The Saints will induct Super Bowl XLIV champion Jahri Evans into their Ring of Honor on Sunday, Nov. 17, during a halftime ceremony at the Caesars Superdome. Kickoff is set for Noon CT/1 p.m. ET.

Additionally, many of Evans’ former teammates  are  expected to be in  attendance as part of the Saints’ yearly  “Legends Weekend” event. Evans started at right guard during the most successful period in team history, and he currently works for the Saints as an assistant offensive line coach. He shared a passionate message to his players when he got the news during training camp, and was quoted with a longer statement in an official release from the team.

“It is exciting to have been selected to be part of such an elite group,” Evans told NewOrleansSaints.com. “I am grateful to Mrs. Benson, Mickey Loomis for selecting me for this honor. I would also like to thank my coaches and teammates for the role they played in my development and success, as well as our fans that gave us such great energy on gameday and inspired us to reach the heights of winning the Super Bowl.”

Evans will be just the eighth member of the team’s Ring of Honor, joining owner Tom Benson, quarterback Archie Manning, and defensive end Will Smith as well as several Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees: offensive tackle Willie Roaf, kicker Morten Andersen, linebackers Rickey Jackson and Sam Mills. This recognition is another boost to Evans’ own Hall of Fame candidacy after he reached the finalist stage last year. Maybe this time he gets over that last hurdle.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Sean Payton says Mike Westhoff is a Hall of Fame-worthy coach

The Broncos will miss retiring assistant coach Mike Westhoff, who Sean Payton said is worthy of Hall of Fame consideration.

Earlier this week, news broke that Denver Broncos assistant head coach Mike Westhoff was stepping down due to health concerns.

After Wednesday’s practice, Broncos head coach Sean Payton began his press conference by addressing Westhoff’s retirement.

“I want to start real quickly and I know there’s already been a release regarding Mike Westhoff,” Payton said. “He and I’ve been together for quite some time. I think over the last two and a half weeks, he started having some blurriness in one of his eyes. Of course he didn’t say anything initially, he’s kind of a tough sucker. This [has] progressively been concerning to him. After the game, he went through some scans — went through quite a bit of medical work — and he felt, as well as his medical team, that it was in his best interest to step away. There’s a stress level obviously that takes place that can take its toll and certainly at his age with the condition.

“I know he’s gotten the treatment he’s needed, and he’ll continue to monitor that. I would say this — because I didn’t know him — I always knew of him, and we hired him mid-season in New Orleans. It’s not often that assistant coaches get into the [Pro Football] Hall of Fame. I’m not — I’m just saying, if there was, he’s one of those top special teams’ coordinators. Certainly, if you look at our numbers in two years relative to where we’ve come, he’s done a tremendous job here. We’ll miss him. Certainly, we’ll stay in touch.”

Payton convinced Westhoff to unretire in 2023 to help oversee Denver’s special teams units. The Broncos also hired special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica and assistant Chris Banjo. The plan was for Westhoff to help for one season and then have Kotwica completely take over in 2024. After last season went so well, though, Payton told owner Greg Penner to ask Westhoff to come back for one more season.

“[A]fter last season, I actually went in and saw Greg and said, ‘Hey why don’t you meet with him and see if you can talk him into coming back. He doesn’t have to come back until training camp,'” Payton recalled. “So Greg’s a good salesman and that went well.”

Westhoff will now retire again to focus on his health. Payton’s unlikely to get him to unretire a fourth time, so the Broncos will thank the coach for his service and move forward with Kotwica and Banjo.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Broncos have 4 candidates for 2025 Hall of Fame class

The Broncos have four candidates for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class, including two-time Super Bowl champion Neil Smith.

Former Denver Broncos coaches Mike Shanahan and Dan Reeves were named semifinalists for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class earlier this week.

Shanahan and Reeves are two of nine candidates in the coach category. The selection committee will narrow that list of nine semifinalists down to one finalist later this month.

The Broncos also have two modern-era players who made the cutdown from 167 nominees down to 50 candidates last month: defensive linemen Neil Smith and Simeon Rice.

That gives Denver four total candidates for next year’s Hall of Fame class.

Broncos candidates for Hall of Fame

  1. Coach Mike Shanahan
  2. Coach Dan Reeves
  3. DL Neil Smith
  4. DL Simeon Rice

The Hall of Fame’s selection committee will meet on Nov. 19 to select one coach finalist. The list of modern-era player nominees will also be trimmed down to 25 semifinalists later this month. The 2025 class will be announced before Super Bowl LVIX next year.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

2 Seahawks head coaches named semi-finalists for 2025 Hall of Fame class

2 Seahawks head coaches named semi-finalists for 2025 Hall of Fame class

The Seattle Seahawks are arguably under-represented in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Yes, legends such as Steve Largent, Walter Jones, Kenny Easley and Cortez Kennedy have been given their due respect, but I have been banging the drum for years that Shaun Alexander belongs in Canton.

Of course, a football team’s success isn’t just measured by those who take the field. The men who stand on the sidelines are just as important as well. On Thursday, it was announced two former Seahawks head coaches – Mike Holmgren and Chuck Knox – were among the semi-finalists for coaches to be inducted in the Hall of Fame’s 2025 class.

Both men were instrumental in developing the Seahawks franchise and taking them to heights they’d never been before prior to their hirings. Chuck Knox began his career in Seattle in 1983, which was the first time the Seahawks had qualified for the playoffs. Not only did they earn a postseason berth, they won their first playoff game under him and even made it all the way to the AFC Championship. Seattle went to the playoffs four times under Knox, finishing with a record of 3-4. Until 2005, those were the only three playoff wins in Seahawks history.

Every great Seattle team has been defined by their ability to run the ball at an elite level, and it started with Knox. His commitment to the run earned him the nickname “Ground Chuck.” Knox finished his Seahawks career with a record of 80-63, and to this day is still the only coach to have won the illustrious “Coach of the Year” award, which he took home in 1984.

It’s no secret the Seahawks floundered for many years in the 1990’s, and did not find much stability until they hired the next coach on our list, Mike Holmgren. After a highly successful run in Green Bay, where he helped the Packers win Super Bowl XXXI, Holmgren became the first head coach owner Paul G. Allen ever hired. The decision immediately proved to be a great one, as he broke Seattle’s playoff drought during his first season in 1999.

Holmgren’s best years in the Pacific Northwest took place in the mid-2000’s when he took Seattle to their first Super Bowl appearance in the 2005 season – which ended unceremoniously in the highly controversial Super Bowl XL. Holmgren also continuously endears himself to the 12th Man by routinely reminding them they should have two Super Bowl banners at Lumen Field.

But the trip to the Super Bowl wasn’t the only success Seattle had during this stretch. From 2003-2007, the Seahawks had five-consecutive playoff appearances and four-consecutive division titles under Holmgren. Even under Pete Carroll, Seattle never took home four-straight NFC West crowns, nor did they ever exceed five-straight playoff appearances. Overall, Holmgren finished his tenure in the Emerald City with a 90-80 combined record.

Chuck Knox and Mike Holmgren are two of the best coaches in league history, not just with Seattle. Knox took three different teams to the playoffs (Rams, Seahawks and Bills), and won coach of the year three times total, one with each squad. At the time of his retirement, his 186 wins were sixth-all time and is still good enough for 10th currently. Including the playoffs, his win total was 193 games.

As for Holmgren, he is one of only seven head coaches to take two different organizations to the Super Bowl. He was also the first coach in NFL history to win at least 75 games with two different franchises, which helped contribute to his lofty 161-111 all-time record as well. Including the playoffs, Holmgren had 174 total wins.

To say these men are overdue to be enshrined in Canton is the understatement of the season.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1360]

Mike Shanahan, Dan Reeves advance in Hall of Fame voting process

Mike Shanahan and the late Dan Reeves have been named semifinalists for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

Three-time Super Bowl champion Mike Shanahan is advancing as a coach candidate for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class, the Hall announced Thursday. Another former Denver Broncos coach, the late Dan Reeves, also advanced in the voting.

The list of coach 14 candidates has been trimmed down to nine semifinalists: Shanahan, Reeves, Bill Arnsparger, Tom Coughlin, Mike Holmgren, Chuck Knox, Marty Schottenheimer, George Seifert and Clark Shaughnessy.

Shanahan, 72, won his first Super Bowl as an offensive coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers following the 1994 season. He later won back-to-back Super Bowls as head coach of the Broncos in the 1997 and 1998 seasons. Elements of his offense are still seen across the NFL today.

Reeves died at age 77 in 2022. He reached two Super Bowls as a player with the Dallas Cowboys, winning his first title following the 1971 season. Reeves later reached three more Super Bowls as an assistant with the Cowboys, winning his second title after the 1977 season. He went on to reach four more Super Bowls as a head coach, including three with the Broncos.

Reeves’ nine total Super Bowl appearances represent the third-most in NFL history only behind Tom Brady (10) and Bill Belichick (12). Reeves should eventually reach Canton, and Shanahan seems to be trending toward a Hall of Fame nod in 2025.

Denver also has two modern-era player candidates for the 2025 class in defensive linemen Neil Smith and Simeon Rice.

Broncos candidates for Hall of Fame

  1. Coach Mike Shanahan
  2. Coach Dan Reeves
  3. DL Neil Smith
  4. DL Simeon Rice

The Hall of Fame’s selection committee will meet on Nov. 19 to select one finalist from the coach category to advance in the voting process. The list of modern-era player nominees will also be trimmed down to 25 semifinalists in November. The 2025 class will be announced before Super Bowl LVIX next year.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Steelers’ HOF safety returning to Pittsburgh in Week 11

2020 Hall of Fame inductee S Donnie Shell has been confirmed to be in attendance for Pittsburgh’s Week 11 contest against Baltimore.

Plenty of familiar faces have returned to the city of Pittsburgh this season to watch their former team and participate in pre-game tailgate activities with fans. Former Steelers such as WR Antonio Brown, RB Le’Veon Bell, and K Jeff Reed have all attended the Terrible Tailgate—an amazing fan-organized tailgate experience for the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

On social media, the Terrible Tailgate has announced that on November 17th, Week 11’s home game versus the Baltimore Ravens, the game will feature an extra special guest for fans to meet—2020 Hall of Fame safety Donnie Shell. 

While initially teasing the mystery HOF guest, the Terrible Tailgate provided fans with exactly who the Steelers legend in question is through the ticket sales information.

Shell was a vital part of the legendary Steel Curtain defense in the 1970s, helping the team win four Super Bowl during his tenure with the team.  Donnie ‘Torpedo’ Shell was one of the hardest-hitting safeties the NFL has ever seen, and is beloved to Pittsburgh fans all over the world.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

2 former Dolphins among 50 remaining 2025 Hall of Fame candidates

Richmond Webb’s Hall of Fame hopes are still alive.

Former Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Richmond Webb and defensive back Troy Vincent are two of the 50 remaining modern-era candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.

In September, the Hall of Fame announced its preliminary list of 167 candidates, which included nine former Dolphins. Among those that didn’t make the October cut to 50 are former Miami running back Ricky Williams, and wide receivers Irving Fryar, Brandon Marshall, and Wes Welker.

Webb, 57, has received a groundswell of recent support from Dolphins fans who want the seven-time Pro Bowler to get his due and reach the Hall of Fame.

Vincent, 54, was the Dolphins’ No. 7 overall pick in the 1992 NFL draft, although he’s better remember for his tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles when he earned five trips to the Pro Bowl.

In about four weeks, the Hall of Fame will trim the list to 25 semifinalists, which is a stage that neither Webb nor Vincent have ever reached.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Saints legend, Super Bowl champion up for the Hall of Fame again in 2025

New Orleans Saints legend Jahri Evans is up for the Pro Football Hall of Fame again in 2025. He’s one of eight finalists returning from last year’s voting:

This is a big deal for New Orleans Saints assistant offensive line coach Jahri Evans. The five-time All-Pro right guard also won six Pro Bowl appearances as a player and a spot on the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, and he’ll be recognized at his enshrinement to the Saints’ team Ring of Honor later this season. But an even bigger recognition could be waiting for him.

Evans was selected as one of 50 nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025. There are eight finalists returning from the voting for the Class of 2024 — Evans, Fred Taylor, Torry Holt, Reggie Wayne, Antonio Gates, Willie Andeerson, Rodney Harrison, and Darren Woodson.

On top of that, there are eight first-time candidates up for the Class of 2025: Eli Manning, Marshawn Lynch, Joe Staley, Marshal Yanda, Luke Kuechcly, Terrell Suggs, Earl Thomas, and Adam Vinatieri.

So it’s a loaded group, but Evans clearly has plenty of support among the Hall of Fame voters. Maybe this is the year he’ll get in. Evans has gotten one  step further during each year of eligibility, and unlike some players on this list he has both the personal achievements and a Super Bowl ring on his resume. The group will be whittled down further to just 25 semifinalists in a month.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

17 former Broncos players snubbed by Hall of Fame voters

Rod Smith is among 17 modern-era Broncos players who were snubbed by Pro Football Hall of Fame voters.

The Denver Broncos had 19 modern-era players nominated for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class this year. Only two of them have advanced in the latest round of voting.

The original list of 167 nominees has been trimmed down to 50 candidates and former Broncos Neil Smith and Simeon Rice are among eight defensive linemen who made the cut, joined by John Abraham, Jared Allen, Robert Mathis, Haloti Ngata, Vince Wilfork and Kevin Williams.

Smith won back-to-back Super Bowls with Denver in the late 1990s. Rice won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and later spent part of his final season in the NFL with the Broncos in 2007.

Among the Denver players who did not make the cut is two-time Super Bowl champion wide receiver Rod Smith. Instead, six other WRs advanced: Anquan Boldin, Torry Holt, Jimmy Smith, Steve Smith, Hines Ward and Reggie Wayne.

In addition to Smith and Rice, Mike Shanahan and the late Dan Reeves are also candidates for the Hall of Fame in the coach category.

Broncos who did not advance

  1. RB Clinton Portis
  2. RB Glyn Milburn
  3. RB Jamaal Charles
  4. WR Rod Smith
  5. WR Demaryius Thomas
  6. WR Brandon Marshall
  7. WR Wes Welker
  8. TE Vernon Davis
  9. C Tom Nalen
  10. G Mark Schlereth
  11. DL Jamal Williams
  12. DL Ted Washington
  13. LB Bill Romanowski
  14. LB Keith Brooking
  15. CB Aqib Talib
  16. CB Dré Bly
  17. K Jason Elam

Broncos candidates for Hall of Fame

  1. Coach Mike Shanahan
  2. Coach Dan Reeves
  3. DL Neil Smith
  4. DL Simeon Rice

The Hall of Fame’s selection committee will trim the list of modern-era nominees down to 25 semifinalists in about four weeks. The 2025 class will be announced before Super Bowl LVIX next year.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Matt Thurmond, Ryan Hybl highlight Golf Coaches Association of America’s 2024 Hall of Fame class

The coaches will be inducted Dec. 10 in Las Vegas.

The Golf Coaches Association of America announced Tuesday its 2024 Hall of Fame Class.

Arizona State coach Matt Thurmond and Oklahoma coach Ryan Hybl will officially be inducted during the GCAA Hall of Fame Reception and Awards Dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.

Thurmond’s coaching career started as an assistant at his alma mater, BYU, in 1999. He then joined 2014 GCAA Hall of Famer O.D. Vincent’s staff at Washington the next season before being named head coach in June 2001. The Huskies made the NCAA Championship in each of Thurmond’s first five years, including a program-best third-place finish in 2005. That same year James Lepp won the individual NCAA title. Washington went on to make NCAAs seven times in his final 10 season in Seattle, making match play three times.

Thurmond was hired at Arizona State’s head coach on July 25, 2016. He has led the Sun Devils to 24 tournament wins, including the 2024 Pac-12 Championship and consecutive NCAA Regional titles in 2022 and 2023. Arizona State made match play at the NCAA Championship three times in six appearances since Thurmond arrived, including a runner-up finish in 2022. Thurmond has led 11 different Sun Devils to 18 All-America honors.

Matt Thurmond Chun An Yu
Arizona State men’s golf coach Matt Thurmond (left) with Chun An Yu. (Photo: Arizona State University)

After finishing his playing career at Georgia, Hybl joined 2012 GCAA Hall of Famer Chris Haack as an assistant coach in 2005. In his four seasons on staff (2005-09), the Bulldogs captured 18 team wins, featuring the 2006 and 2009 SEC Championship and 2008 NCAA East Regional, and made the NCAA Championship each year. 

Hybl was hired as head coach at Oklahoma on June 22, 2009, turning the program back into a national powerhouse. The Sooners have recorded the top 14 single-season scoring averages in program history and made 13 straight NCAA Championship appearances, culminating in a national championship in 2017. Hybl has coached a program-record 46 tournament wins, including three Big 12 Championships (2018, 2022, 2023) and four NCAA Regional titles (2015, 2018, 2022, 2024).

In 1980, the GCAA began inducting men’s college golf coaches into the Golf Coaches Association of America Hall of Fame. Since then, the hall has grown to include more than 160 members. To be selected to the Hall of Fame, a coach must be nominated by their peers and selected by the GCAA Hall of Fame Committee.