Tag: Hall of Fame

Twitter reacts to Mike Shanahan reaching Broncos’ Ring of Fame

Here’s how Twitter reacted when Mike Shanahan was elected to the Broncos’ Ring of Fame.

The Denver Broncos announced Tuesday that former coach Mike Shanahan has been elected to the team’s Ring of Fame. Here’s a sampling of how Twitter reacted to the news:

As many pundits noted, a Hall of Fame nod might be next for Shanahan.

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Cowboys News: Sean Lee preps, CeeDee Lamb blocks, Cliff Harris waits

Also, Zeke Elliott plays defense in his lawsuit, Aldon Smith could be a surprise starter, and a Cowboys fan and an Eagles fan go to therapy.

In an offseason unlike any other, even the league’s old dogs have had to find new tricks when it comes to keeping themselves game-ready while social distancing. Sean Lee isn’t just sitting around waiting for the season to start. But Cliff Harris, the hard-hitting Cowboys defender from a bygone era, has no choice but to wait a while longer for his Hall of Fame moment.

Also in the news, an undrafted free agent could be the team’s next hidden gem, a former top pick could be a difference-maker if the Cowboys say the word, a reclamation project could be the club’s surprise starter come Week 1, and a rookie phenom could be the best blocker on the roster at his position. Plus, the top salary cap hit at every position in the division and the latest on Ezekiel Elliott’s lawsuit. And be sure to scroll all the way down for a comical look at what happens when a Cowboys fan and an Eagles fan search for common ground. That’s this edition of News and Notes.

Virtual or not, Sean Lee’s prep work for Cowboys’ season never ends :: ESPN

One of the leaders of the Cowboys’ locker room is finding that he loves the game of football more now than ever. Veteran linebacker Sean Lee explains the challenges of virtual workouts and how he stays ready, no matter the situation.

Ezekiel Elliott’s lawyer: Dog attack victim was trespassing :: Cowboys Wire

An attorney for the star running back says the pool cleaner, suing for six figures after being bitten by Elliott’s dogs, did not have permission to be on Elliott’s property on the day she was attacked.

Cliff Harris’ Hall of Fame enshrinement is delayed by COVID-19, but he’s determined to make the best of it :: Dallas Morning News

The ten-year safety who won two Super Bowl rings with Dallas in the 1970s is technically already a Hall of Famer by virtue of the votes he got in January. But “Captain Crash,” now 76, will have to wait another year to don that gold jacket in Canton.”It’s like football, it’s like life,” Harris said. “You’ve got to adjust to the situation and whatever that is and make the best of it.”

Can North Texas’ LaDarius Hamilton be Cowboys next UDFA find? :: Cowboys Wire

LaDarius Hamilton has the size and the skills set to be welcomed into the Jim Tomsula rotation on the defensive line. He’s primed and ready to be the next big UDFA story in Cowboys history.

Dallas Cowboys: Making the case for Jadeveon Clowney :: The Landry Hat

The top overall pick in 2014’s draft has yet to produce a double-digit sack season. But if Dallas were to create the cap room to add him to their existing defense, “the Cowboys would have a case for the most talented front seven” in the league.

Amari Cooper: Could the Dallas Cowboys have buyer’s remorse? :: Inside the Star

Brian Martin goes alternate-reality to consider the possibilities if the Cowboys, somehow knowing they would land CeeDee Lamb in the draft, had decided not to extend Cooper’s contract just prior. How might the team be using that money instead?

Mailbag: How well do the receivers block? :: The Mothership

CeeDee Lamb is clearly a talent at catching the ball, and his return skills are reason to get excited about special teams in 2020. But the feeling inside the team’s writers’ room is that the Oklahoma rookie may be the best blocking wideout the Cowboys have had in a while.

Which surprise starter could emerge for every NFL team in 2020? :: Bleacher Report

Aldon Smith is featured on this list as the Cowboys’ representative for emerging stars for the 2020 season. He’s already on record saying he feels great and has a good chance to find himself in heavy rotation opposite of star edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence.

The NFC East all-cap team: The most expensive players across all four NFC East teams :: Blogging the Boys

It’s all funny money to some extent, but it’s interesting to look at which players in the division earn the most at their respective positions. The Cowboys sport four players on offense and three on defense that have the biggest 2020 salary cap hits at their spot.

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Cowboys’ Johnson, rest of Class of 2020 to wait for Hall of Fame induction

Dallas Cowboys greats Jimmy Johnson and Cliff Harris have their Hall of Fame enshrinement dreams pushed back even further.

It’s official: the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2020 class will have to wait even longer for enshrinement. The cancellation of the first exhibition game of the year between the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers was announced Thursday morning and is set to be made up next year; it was only a matter of time before this news followed.

The class that was to be the biggest in the NFL’s storied history, with 20 players, coaches, and contributors slated to receive the famed bronze bust split into two ceremonies, will have to wait even longer for their moment in the sun.

For the Cowboys, two greats are affected. The first is former head coach Jimmy Johnson, the architect of the ’90s dynasty that resulted in three world championships. Johnson, of course, ended up with just two of those rings before his relationship with owner Jerry Jones soured and became untenable. The other is safety Cliff Harris, who played in five Super Bowls throughout the 1970s, won two of them, and was a member of the All-Decade team.

Harris was one of two positional players of the All-Decade team that had yet to receive the call from Canton. The other, of course, is wide receiver and the original 88, Drew Pearson.

Johnson’s pro coaching career lacked the length that many Hall of Fame coaches enjoyed. He lasted just nine years and won only 80 games.

The wait for a gold jacket has been long overdue for both Dallas legends. Now the wait will be just a little longer.

Peyton Manning and Steve Atwater likely to enter Hall of Fame together

Broncos greats Peyton Manning and Steve Atwater will likely enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame together in 2021.

Broncos legendary safety Steve Atwater won’t be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer because of COVID-19.

Instead, the ceremony for the 2020 class will be pushed to 2021. Next year, the Hall of Fame will have two classes enshrined in Canton, Ohio.

That means Denver will likely be represented by two players during Hall of Fame Week (Aug. 5-9) — Atwater and former quarterback Peyton Manning.

Manning, who retired after winning Super Bowl 50 with the Broncos in 2016, will become eligible in 2021. He is a lock to be voted in as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Atwater and Manning will become the seventh and eighth Denver players to enter the Hall of Fame, joining quarterback John Elway, running back Floyd Little, tight end Shannon Sharpe, offensive lineman Gary Zimmerman, running back Terrell Davis and cornerback Champ Bailey.

Broncos late owner Pat Bowlen was also voted into Canton last year. To view a list of all the Hall of Famers connected to Denver, click here.

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Steve Atwater won’t be enshrined in Hall of Fame until 2021

Broncos legend Steve Atwater won’t be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame until 2021.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Thursday that this year’s Hall of Fame Game has been canceled and the 2020 enshrinement ceremony has been pushed back until 2021 due to COVID-19.

That means former Denver Broncos safety Steve Atwater won’t be enshrined in Canton, Ohio until next year. He will likely be joined by former quarterback Peyton Manning, who becomes Hall of Fame eligible in 2021.

The 2020 class will be enshrined alongside the 2021 class on Aug. 5-9.

“The health and safety of our Hall of Famers, fans and volunteers who make Enshrinement Week so special remains our top priority,” Pro Football Hall of Fame president ad CEO David Baker said in a statement.

“The Hall will honor the Centennial Class of 2020 next August, along with what promises to be an equally spectacular Class of 2021, as part of a multi-day celebration of football with an atmosphere that will deliver for fans ‘Twice the Fun in ’21.’”

Fans who bought tickets for the 2020 Hall of Fame Game can either use them in 2021 or apply for a refund.

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NFL to cancel Hall of Fame Game, postpone HOF induction ceremony

The NFL will cancel this year’s Hall of Fame Game, and will also postpone this year’s induction ceremony.

As first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the NFL has decided to cancel the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, and also to postpone the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. The game was supposed to take place on August 6, and the ceremony on August 8. The cancellation and the postponement come as the NFL tries to wrestle with the logistics of putting on a season in the wake of a coronoavirus pandemic that doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon.

The league had not had to cancel or postpone any events until now. Free agency went on through the pandemic, and the league’s first virtual draft went off with relatively few hitches. But when it comes to playing actual games, and putting thousands of people in an indoor or outdoor event, that becomes a different story. At this time, per Schefter, the plan is for the Cowboys and Steelers, the two teams that were to play in this year’s Hall of Fame Game, to play it in 2021.

Per league policy and tradition, the Cowboys and Steelers would have reported to training camp a week early to prepare, but now, the plan is for both teams to report on July 28, along with most other NFL teams.

Former Alabama S Roman Harper to be inducted into Saints HoF, join “SEC Nation” crew

It’s been a busy week for former Alabama S Roman Harper. He was announced as a new member of the SEC Nation crew and is to be inducted…

After it was reported that Paul Finebaum and Marcus Spears would no longer be members of SEC Network’s “SEC Nation” pregame show on Saturdays, their replacements have been named.

Jordan Rodgers, brother to Aaron Rodgers and former star of “The Bachelorette,” will be filling one spot. The other will belong to former Alabama safety Roman Harper, as made public by Sports Business Daily.

Harper will specifically fill Spears’ spot as an analyst.

The former Alabama safety was drafted in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints, where he’d spend most of his 10-season career.

Harper will also be inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame.

Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on all things Alabama football, including those in, and beyond, the NFL!

 

NBA Hall of Famer Wayne Embry, who was …

NBA Hall of Famer Wayne Embry, who was the first African American to become a general manager in pro sports, believes players should use their voices by continuing to play during the current protests while supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. “I’ve always been a proponent of sports being a model of a greater society because we come together from different cultures and different backgrounds and work toward a common goal,” Embry said. “Going ahead and playing now could be a model. I know I would play.

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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Will Steve Hutchinson be inducted into another Hall of Fame in 2021?

Former Seattle Seahawks guard Steve Hutchinson was a great college player, and deserves enshrinement into the College Football Hall of Fame.

It took longer than it probably should have, but former Seattle Seahawks guard Steve Hutchinson finally heard his name called for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the class of 2020.

However, Hutch could make it two years in a row getting inducted into a Hall of Fame, as he is one of eight players with ties to the Seattle Seahawks who is on the 99-player ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021.

Hutchinson initially joined the Seahawks as the 17th overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft out of the University of Michigan.

While there, Hutch earned a ton of accolades; which included being named a unanimous first team All-American in 2000, and being one of just seven players in conference history to be named first-team All-Big Ten four times.

Hutch also helped lead the Wolverines to four Bowl victories, including a National Championship win in the 1997 Rose Bowl – his freshman season.

Hutchinson finally earned his enshrinement into the Pro Hall of Fame, and now it is time for the College Football Hall of Fame to follow suit and acknowledge that one of the best guards to ever play the game in the NFL was just as elite, if not moreso, at the collegiate level.

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