Tag: Hall of Fame

The College Football Hall of Fame case for Oregon running back LaMichael James

LaMichael James was the most exciting running back in the NCAA under Chip Kelly, and he belongs in the College Football Hall of Fame.

The Oregon Ducks are historically well represented in the College Football Hall of Fame, with seven inductees across the school’s storied football history.

However, the team’s successes over the past two decades is hardly visible in the Hall at this point, with coach Mike Bellotti (inducted in 2014) as the only representative who wore the green and yellow this century.

That could change this year, as the 2023 Hall of Fame ballot was released on Monday, with 80 former players and nine former coaches on the list – including a pair of Oregon legends: running back LaMichael James and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata.

This article will make the case for why James, widely considered one of the greatest Ducks of all time, should be among those inducted into the Class of 2023.

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

LaMichael James’ Hall of Fame Case

Simply put, LaMichael James was one of the most exciting, electric, must-watch college football players of his generation during his three years in Eugene under offensive guru Chip Kelly.

The Hall of Fame is not only about statistical accomplishments (of which James has plenty) but it is also about showcasing the college game’s most exciting players – and there is little doubt James qualifies.

In three seasons from 2009 to 2011, James never rushed for less than 1,500 yards, never had less than 14 rushing touchdowns, and never let the fans go take a bathroom break while his team was on offense.

He was twice a top-10 finalist for the Heisman Trophy Award (an extreme rarity for a modern running back) even finishing third in 2010 – the same year he won the Doak Walker Award for the nation’s top running back.

The two-time All-American First Teamer has plenty of statistical accomplishments as well, finishing his three-year career with 5,082 rushing yards (21st all-time and fourth in Pac-12 history) as well as 53 rushing touchdowns (also fourth in Pac-12 history).

Oregon has been a player in the national college football scene for about two decades, but the Chip Kelly era remains the school’s pinnacle of must-watch TV – and James deserves to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame for his contributions.

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Tyrann Mathieu believes he belongs in the Chiefs’ Hall of Fame

Tyrann Mathieu took part in #GQActuallyMe and answered a question about whether he belongs in the #Chiefs’ Hall of Fame.

Former Kansas City Chiefs S Tyrann Mathieu recently took part in GQ’s “Actually Me” series.

You might remember when former Chiefs QB Alex Smith took part in the series in February of 2021. GQ has players create accounts across social media and secretly respond to questions asked about them. Mathieu answered questions on Instagram, Reddit, Youtube, TikTok, Twitter and other social media sites.

On Twitter, Mathieu responded to friends of the site THE SPOKEN!! Podcast. They posed the question: “Is Tyrann Mathieu a Chiefs Hall of Famer?”

Mathieu believes he will one day be inducted into the Ring of Honor.

“I would have to say yes. For me to have the opportunity to play in multiple Super Bowls, to win one, to bring back the Lamar Hunt trophy twice to Kansas City, then to individually to be as productive as I was, I know there’s a lot of Chiefs fans that they’ll always remember me.”

Mathieu finished his three-year run with the Chiefs having earned two All-Pro selections, two Pro Bowl selections, two AFC championship wins and a Super Bowl ring. He was twice selected by coaches and peers as the Derrick Thomas MVP winner. Mathieu started 47 games, recording 213 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, four fumble recoveries, 13 interceptions, 27 passes defended and two defensive touchdowns. If he doesn’t land in the Ring of Honor, it won’t be for lack of production or achievements. He’ll almost certainly go down as the best free-agent signing in franchise history to this point.

Mathieu also revealed some information about free agency and how he landed with the New Orleans Saints. Be sure to watch the full video in the link at the top of the page to find out more.

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Two Georgia football greats on ballot for 2023 CFB Hall of Fame class

Two DGDs on the ballot for 2023 CFB HOF class

The Georgia Bulldogs are already well-represented in Atlanta’s College Football Hall of Fame, and soon there may be two more Dawgs added to the club.

Georgia had two former greats included on the ballot for the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame class —former head coach Mark Richt and former running back Garrison Hearst.

Hearst was one of 80 former FBS players included on this year’s ballot, while Richt was one of nine coaches. Also included on the ballot is former Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson.

Hearst was on the ballot as well for the 2022 class. Former Georgia defensive back Champ Bailey was inducted as part of that class.

This year’s class will be announced early in 2023

Mark Richt:

Mark Richt
Georgia Bulldogs head coach Mark Richt reacts to fans after the Bulldogs defeated Kentucky at Sanford Stadium on Nov. 7, 2015. (Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports)

In 2001, Georgia athletic director Vince Dooley took a shot on Florida State quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator Mark Richt to become the new head coach in Athens. Richt, a former Miami quarterback, had been at Florida State for 15 years, taking one year off to coach at East Carolina in the late 1980s. Brought back by legendary Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden, Richt guided the FSU offense to the top of college football. Richt coached six FSU quarterbacks to the NFL, including Heisman winners Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke.

In 2001, Richt’s first season at Georgia, the Bulldogs were only able to win 8 games, yet it was obvious things were trending upward in Athens. Richt’s first season at Georgia featured a win over a top-five Volunteers team on the road (Hobnail Boot).

In 2002 under Richt, Georgia began its ascension towards becoming a consistent college football powerhouse. The Bulldogs finished the year 13-1, which included an SEC Championship win over Arkansas and a win over his former Seminoles in the Sugar Bowl.

In 2005, Georgia won yet another SEC Championship. With star quarterback D.J. Shockley under center, the Bulldogs delivered a beatdown over LSU in Atlanta. Richt had won two SEC titles in his first five years at Georgia.

Richt came close to returning to the top of the SEC on a couple more occasions as well. In 2011, Georgia rebounded from an 0-2 start to finish the regular season with 10 straight wins. The Dawgs jumped out to a great first half vs LSU in the SEC Championship but were unable to finish the drill in the second half. The following year, Richt produced maybe his best team while at Georgia. The 2012 Bulldogs featured Aaron Murray, Todd Gurley, Keith Marshall, Tavarres King, Arthur Lynch, Jarvis Jones, Alec Ogletree, Shawn Williams, Bacarri Rambo, etc. However, the Dawgs fell just short to Alabama in the SEC Championship, a game that had Georgia won, the Bulldogs would have likely cruised to a national title win over an overrated Notre Dame.

Following the 2015 season, a year that saw Georgia finish with 10 wins, Richt was let go from his post at Georgia. He returned to Miami to assume to the position of head coach at The U. Richt is currently retired from coaching football.

Garrison Hearst:

Sep 12, 1992; Athens, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Georgia Bulldogs running back Garrison Hearst (5) in action against the Tennessee Volunteers at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports

Hearst meant everything to his 1992 UGA team. More than a third of Georgia’s offensive production came from Hearst, who scored over half of the team’s touchdowns. During his junior year, the Lincolnton native led the nation in touchdowns (21) and in scoring (11.5 points per game).

Hearst broke SEC and school records for most points scored in a single season (126), total touchdowns (21), rushing touchdowns (19) and average yards per carry (6.8).

A consensus All-America, Doak Walker Award recipient and SEC’s player of the year in 1992, he finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting.

Hearst finished his college career second on the Georgia records list in rushing yardage (3,232), all-purpose yardage (3,934) and 100-yard rushing games (16), trailing only Herschel Walker. He was the third pick in the 1993 NFL draft, selected by the Arizona Cardinals.

Tim Tebow, Bill Kollar among candidates for 2023 College Football Hall of Fame

Ex-Broncos QB Tim Tebow and assistant coach Bill Kollar are among the candidates for 2023 College Football Hall of Fame class.

The National Football Foundation announced 176 players and 42 coaches who will be on the ballot for the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame.

Included on the ballot are four connections to the Denver Broncos, including former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. After winning two national titles and the Heisman Trophy with the Gators, Tebow went on to spend two seasons with the Broncos to begin his NFL career.

Broncos defensive/special projects coach Bill Kollar also made the ballot in recognition of his standout college career as a defensive end at Montana State. Kollar earned first-team All-American honors in 1973 and then won Senior Bowl MVP recognition in 1974. After college, Kollar spent eight years as a defensive lineman in the NFL before transitioning to coaching in 1984.

Former Broncos executive Matt Russell is also on the ballot. Russell was a star defender at Colorado, winning the Butkus Award, given to the nation’s best linebacker. He went on to spend three years in the NFL before a brief stint as a college coach and then a switch to scouting. He worked in Denver from 2009-2020 and now serves as a senior personnel executive with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Former Illinois linebacker Simeon Rice is also on the ballot, but his tenure with the Broncos was brief. Rice totaled 44.5 sacks with the Illini before going on to play for the Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning a Super Bowl with the Bucs. He signed with Denver in 2007 but only played in six games and was cut halfway through the season.

The College Football Hall of Fame class will be announced in early 2023 followed by an induction ceremony in December next year.

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Two former Iowa Hawkeyes nominated for NFF Hall of Fame

Dallas Clark and Robert Gallery are two former members of the Iowa Hawkeyes football team that have been nominated for the NFF Hall of Fame.

The Iowa Hawkeyes find themselves boasting more accolades from former stars who stood out in Kinnick Stadium throughout their careers. Former Hawkeyes tight end Dallas Clark and offensive tackle Robert Gallery have been nominated for the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame.

The two overlapped for a couple of years at the beginning of the 2000s and were integral parts on offense contributing to the Hawkeyes’ success. Clark transitioned from linebacker to tight end, while Gallery made the move from tight end to offensive tackle. Those moves illustrate the success Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz has had at developing players in a myriad of ways.

Clark adds this to his recent announcement earlier this month as a soon-to-be inductee into the Iowa Hall of Fame. He spent the 1999-2002 seasons in Iowa City before going to the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 2003 NFL draft where he had a healthy career that included a Super Bowl title.

While at Iowa from 2000-2003, Gallery was an All-Big Ten selection, consensus All-American, and an Outland Trophy winner, which is given to the best offensive lineman in the nation. Gallery went on to be a first round selection in the 2004 NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders where he spent seven of his eight NFL seasons during a successful NFL career.

To be eligible for a nomination into the NFF Hall of Fame, a player must be recognized as a first-team All American selection and at least 10 years removed from the collegiate game. Gallery and Clark are part of a nomination class that includes 80 other former FBS players. The selections will be made in early 2023.

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Herman Moore headlines several former Lions nominated for College Football Hall of Fame

Moore is joined by Reggie Bush, Mark Carrier and others on a list that also includes a current Lions coach and another in the front office

The nominees for the College Football Hall of Fame class of 2023 are now finalized. Several players who spent at least part of their NFL careers with the Detroit Lions made the cut for the upcoming class.

Most prominent on the list is wide receiver Herman Moore, who dominated at Virginia en route to becoming the 10th overall pick in the 1991 NFL draft by the Lions. He is the only player who will be best-known for his NFL career in Detroit and not with other teams.

The remainder of the nominees with Lions blood in their NFL veins:

  • RB Reggie Bush
  • DB Mark Carrier
  • EDGE Dwight Freeney
  • CB Todd Lyght
  • QB Kellen Moore
  • DT Haloti Ngata
  • LB Matt Russell

In addition to those players, two current Lions administrators are also among the nominees. Wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El is nominated for his playing days at Indiana, while front office special assistant John Dorsey earned a berth for his playing days at UConn.

As a disclaimer, I am a voter for the Hall and will include Moore, Bush and Carrier on my ballot.

Broncos to honor Super Bowl XXXII team in Week 7

25 years after their first title, the Broncos will honor their Super Bowl XXXII team in Week 7 this fall.

“This one’s for John!” former Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen declared at the end of Super Bowl XXXII.

Twenty-five years ago, the Broncos won their first Super Bowl, a 31-24 victory over the Green Bay Packers. In 2022, Denver will honor those who made this seemingly impossible dream a reality.

“The 25th anniversary of the Broncos’ first Super Bowl championship is a special occasion deserving of a tribute that celebrates how much the 1997 team means to our organization and fans,” Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a statement.

This “special occasion” will happen on October 23 at halftime of their matchup against the New York Jets in Week 7. Throughout the year, Denver will also share programs and other media content from that historic season.

The 1997 season was unforgettable for any true Broncos fan. Denver’s roster featured five Pro Football Hall of Famers and three additional Ring of Famers. They won two road playoff games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs before going into Super Bowl XXXII as 11-point underdogs.

During the fourth quarter of the game, quarterback John Elway’s signature “Helicopter” play became the defining moment the game and the season. During the league’s 100-year celebration, Super Bowl XXXII was named 27 out of 100 greatest games in NFL history. It is also listed as the fourth out of top 10 Super Bowls of all time, according to NFL Films. Its significance is not lost on Denver today.

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Frank Gore eligible for Hall of Fame in 2026

Frank Gore’s Hall of Fame eligibility begins in 2026. #49ers

Frank Gore on Thursday officially announced his retirement from the NFL. After 16 years in the NFL that led to him leading all running backs in history games played, and landing at No. 3 on the all-time rushing list, Gore’s five-year wait for the Hall of Fame begins. He’ll be eligible in 2026.

Despite not playing in 2021, Gore’s Hall of Fame clock didn’t begin because he was still technically a free agent. His goal even late in the year was to sign with a club to help them win a Super Bowl. The Hall of Fame clock doesn’t start until retirement though, so Gore’s countdown is officially on now that he’s hung up his pads.

The five-year wait includes the upcoming 2022 campaign. By August of 2026 he’ll be eligible, although the announcement would come by February of that year during Super Bowl weekend.

There’s some pushback to Gore’s candidacy that may trickle into the voting process and force him to wait beyond the first ballot, but his résumé as one of the most prolific runners in NFL history is undeniable. He’ll get in quickly if it’s not in his first year.

His wait for the 49ers Hall of Fame won’t be as arduous. The team announced he’ll go into the Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. 49ers Hall of Fame when they announced his retirement.

Players don’t go into the Pro Football Hall of Fame with a team the way they do in baseball, but there’s zero doubt about what colors Gore would wear in Canton if they did. He signed a one-day deal Thursday to officially retire as a member of the 49ers.

Q. How does a team go from a 39-33 …

Dallas Clark announced as inductee into the Iowa Hawkeyes’ 2022 Hall of Fame Class

Former Iowa and NFL great Dallas Clark has officially been announced as one of the Hawkeyes’ inductees in its 2022 Hall of Fame Class.

Former tight end and long-time NFL great Dallas Clark is joining the Iowa Hawkeyes Hall of Fame as a part of their 2022 class. Clark is set to be inducted along with the rest of Iowa’s 33rd class of inductees.

The class includes field hockey’s Amy Fowler, wrestling’s Dan Holm, softball’s Kari Knopf, baseball’s Keith Noreen, golf’s George Roddy, and swimming’s Nancilea Underwood.

Clark spent the 1999-2002 seasons as part of the Hawkeyes football program where he began his career as a linebacker prior to the switch to tight end in his second year.

The move proved to be very fruitful as Clark eventually won the John Mackey Award given to the best tight end in college football, was an All-Big Ten first team selection, a unanimous first-team All-American, and an eventual first round NFL draft pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 2003.

In just two seasons as a tight end, Clark provided the Hawkeyes with 1,281 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

“This one caught me off guard. You know, I think, yeah, it’s certainly something you don’t just sit around and, you know, like wonder, ‘Oh, is it going to happen?’ All I do know is, every year going back to games and seeing that Hall of Fame Class on the field and just seeing some fellow teammates, some fellow athletes that were on campus when I was on campus, and just feeling a sense of pride of like, ‘Man, I remember reading about that person in The Daily Iowan. Or, I remember going to that person’s game and watching them wrestle, or play volleyball or what have you and play basketball.’

“And, I’m in with that crowd, in that family, in that group. Honestly, I can’t even, you know, it’s an unbelievable honor. Especially when all I was…my five-year plan was to just make special teams. That was the start. That’s all. I just wanted that letterman’s jacket. I mean, come on now. We kid ourselves, but, if you didn’t switch me, we would still just be talking about how do I coach better? Because I’d probably be a teacher and a coach right now, which isn’t a bad thing, which would be phenomenal, but certainly wouldn’t have had the career I had as a linebacker. And so any time, especially when it comes to Iowa football, something, an accolade or a recognition I get, you obviously are the first person to come to mind for that switch and obviously giving me a chance. It was just an unbelievable fit,” Clark said in a video call with Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz.

Clark went on to play 11 seasons in the NFL, the majority with the Colts and quarterback Peyton Manning, where he added a Super Bowl ring to his collection in 2006.

His NFL career saw him appear in 143 games. Throughout his 11 seasons, Clark tallied 5,665 receiving yards and 53 touchdowns. His 2009 season saw him receive recognition as a Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection.

Clark played an important role in helping turn Iowa into a program that is now known for their tight ends that they send to the NFL. His collegiate and NFL career helped continue to establish the long lineage of successful Iowa tight ends that is still very alive and well today.

Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta looks like the next player set to join that list alongside Clark as former Hawkeyes that have turned into impact NFL tight ends.

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