Pro Football Hall of Famers by college

Who is the most surprising (either included or not)?

The 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame class was unveiled just before Super Bowl LVI as eight legendary football players are now headed to Canton where they’ll be put among football’s immortals.

Have you ever wondered where the best to ever do it went to college though?

Here are the ten college football programs to have produced the most Pro Football Hall of Fame members of any.

Packers to honor Hall of Famer LeRoy Butler during Week 11 game vs. Titans

The Packers will honor new Hall of Famer LeRoy Butler during halftime of the team’s Week 11 game against the Titans.

The Green Bay Packers will honor Pro Football Hall of Famer LeRoy Butler with a special ceremony during the team’s Nov. 17 game against the Tennessee Titans.

Butler, who played 181 games in Green Bay over his NFL career, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in August. His name will be unveiled along the facade of Lambeau Field (next to all of the team’s other Hall of Famers), and the team will celebrate Butler’s playing career at halftime of the primetime contest.

Butler was one of the best safeties of the generation and a vital part of the Packers’ return to glory during the 1990s.

The Packers drafted Butler with the 48th overall pick in 1990. He produced 20.5 sacks and 38 interceptions and helped the Packers to seven playoff appearances, including a win in Super Bowl XXXI and an appearance in Super Bowl XXXII, over a 12-year career.

Butler was selected to four Pro Bowls (1994, 1997-99) and four All-Pro teams (1993, 1996-98) and was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s.

The Nov. 17 game is a Thursday night matchup between the Packers and Titans at Lambeau Field.

WATCH: Highlights from every Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speech

Watch highlights of all eight Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speeches.

On Saturday, eight men joined football’s greatest fraternity, as they were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Sam Mills, LeRoy Butler, Richard Seymour, Art McNally, Tony Boselli, Bryant Young, Cliff Branch, and Dick Vermeil either accepted their honors in person in Canton, Ohio, or were represented

Here are highlights of each induction speech.

Packers DB LeRoy Butler enshrined into Pro Football Hall of Fame

Green Bay Packers defensive back LeRoy Butler was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday in Canton, Ohio. 

Green Bay Packers defensive back LeRoy Butler was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday in Canton, Ohio.

Butler was a four-time All-Pro, Super Bowl XXXI champion and member of the NFL’s 1990s All-Decade Team. A second-round pick of the Packers in 1990, he played his entire career in Green Bay, finishing with 38 interceptions, 20.5 sacks, 13 forced fumbles and three touchdowns over 181 games.

Butler received his gold jacket on Friday night. He unveiled his bust and delivered a speech on stage in Canton on Saturday.

More on his enshrinement below:

2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony: Who’s in, and how to watch

Who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame today, and how can you watch the ceremonies? We have the answers.

At 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 6, the Pro Football Hall of Fame will have its annual ceremony celebrating a new class of enshrines.

From ESPN, who will televise the event:

ESPN’s coverage of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement returns for the 27th year on Saturday, Aug. 6, as eight enshrines officially enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Coverage of the 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class begins at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN, a new afternoon time for the annual event.  ESPN Radio will also offer live coverage of the event.

The class of 2022 consists of eight “Heroes of the Game:” Tony Boselli (Jacksonville Jaguars), Cliff Branch (Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders), Leroy Butler (Green Bay Packers), Art McNally (National Football League Official), Sam Mills (New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers), Richard Seymour (New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders), Dick Vermeil (Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams, Kansas City Chiefs) and Bryant Young (San Francisco 49ers).

Live from Canton, Ohio, ESPN’s 26-year veteran host Suzy Kolber will anchor the Enshrinement Ceremony with ESPN’s NFL front office insider Louis Riddick and 2016 Dick McCann Award winner Chris Mortensen. For the 22nd year, ESPN’s Chris Berman, who was honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame with the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award in 2010, will emcee the ceremony.

ESPN Radio will also broadcast the enshrinees’ speeches and share insights from special guests throughout the day on Saturday. On the ground in Canton, Jaguars’ reporter, Mike DiRocco will be covering all festivities around the induction ceremonies on behalf of NFL Nation. 

(All enshrinee information courtesy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame).

Packers’ Hall of Famer LeRoy Butler explains his ‘Welcome to the NFL’ moment

Joe Montana and Jerry Rice gave LeRoy Butler his “Welcome to the NFL” moment as a rookie with the Packers in 1990.

Even Hall of Fame players get their “Welcome to the NFL moment.”

Former Green Bay Packers defensive back LeRoy Butler, who is being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the 2022 class, explained his moment during a “Ask Me Anything” session on NFL Reddit on Wednesday.

As was probably the case for many players of his generation, Joe Montana and Jerry Rice helped open Butler’s eyes as a rookie in Green Bay.

“It was my rookie year and we were playing against San Francisco. I was the third corner and I run in the game and I saw Joe Montana out there. And then they said you have to cover Jerry Rice if he comes to the left,” Butler explained.

The Packers hosted Montana, Rice and the defending Super Bowl champion 49ers on Nov. 9, 1990. San Francisco was undefeated. Montana and Rice were still at the height of their powers.

“That’s when I looked up to the sky and said ‘God I’m glad I’m wearing yellow pants,'” Butler said.

There’s nothing like facing the greatest receiver in NFL history as a first-year defensive back.

“Jerry Rice ran towards me and they didn’t throw it to him thank God, but that was when I realized I have to play guys like this every week and I was playing against the Super Bowl champion 49ers,” Butler said.

The 49ers overcame an early deficit and beat the Packers, 24-20. Montana threw three touchdown passes, including a 64-yarder to Rice that all but sealed the victory. Rice finished with 187 receiving yards on just six catches.

Butler, meanwhile, was forever changed. He started all 16 games at cornerback as a second-year player in 1991 before transitioning to safety, where he became one of the game’s best players. The NFL named Butler to the All-Decade Team of the 1990s.

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Sam Mills, LeRoy Butler, Richard Seymour, Cliff Branch, Tony Boselli among 2022 Hall of Fame inductees

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2022, with eight new members to be inducted in Canton.

On Thursday night, during the NFL Honors awards show, we found out which players, coaches, and executives would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the 2022 class.

Tony Boselli, LeRoy Butler, Art McNally, Richard Seymour, Dick Vermeil, and  Bryant Young learned of their election when a Hall of Famer knocked on their door in late January. Those encounters can be seen Saturday when NFL Network airs a one-hour special, beginning at 9 p.m. ET. The families of the late Cliff Branch and Sam Mills received the news in a phone call from Hall of Fame President Jim Porter.

“Each member of this great class represents the values of the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” Porter said. “We look forward to honoring them in August.”

The annual selection meeting capped a year-round selection process. The newly elected Hall of Famers were chosen from a list of 18 Finalists who had been determined earlier by the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee. Representatives of the accounting firm EY tabulated all votes during the virtual meeting.

The Coach, Contributor and Senior Finalists were voted “yes” or “no” for election at the annual selection meeting and needed at least 80% support from the Committee to be elected. The Modern-Era Finalists were trimmed during the meeting from 15 to 10, then from 10 to five. They, too, had to receive the same 80% positive vote as the Coach, Contributor and Senior Finalists when they were voted “yes” or “no” to earn election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame’s membership, including the newly elected Class of 2022, now stands at 362.

The Class of 2022 will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 6 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.

(Bios courtesy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame)

LeRoy Butler, long-time Packers safety, elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame

Long-time Green Bay Packers safety LeRoy Butler is finally getting his call to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

Long-time Green Bay Packers safety LeRoy Butler is finally getting his call to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Butler, in his 16th season of eligibility, was elected for enshrinement into the Hall of Fame among the eight-man 2022 class. He received at least 80 percent of the vote necessary for induction.

Butler, a second-round pick of the Packers in 1990 who played 181 games for the team over 12 seasons, was a three-time Hall of Fame finalist. He is a four-time Pro Bowler, one-time Super Bowl winner and a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 1990s.

Here’s the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s bio for Butler:

One of the most prolific defensive backs in the Packers’ storied history and among premier safeties of his era … Led the team in interceptions five times … Key member of defense that guided team’s resurgence that included seven playoff appearances in nine-season span … Helped lead Packers to three straight division titles (1995-97) and two Super Bowl appearances … Started at strong safety in three consecutive NFC Championship Games and Super Bowls XXXI and XXXII … Had seven tackles and one sack in Packers’ 35-21 victory over New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI …  Intercepted a pass in every season but his last … Career stats: 38 interceptions for 533 yards … Only pick-six came on 90-yard return versus San Diego Chargers, Sept. 15, 1996 … Registered 20.5 career sacks and one fumble recovery for a TD … Selected to four Pro Bowls … All-Pro four times (1993, 1996, 1997, 1998) … Named to NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s.

Brett Favre announced Butler’s induction at the NFL Honors show on Thursday night in Los Angeles. Butler joins Favre and Reggie White as the three Hall of Famers from the Packers’ Super Bowl XXXI victory.

From Favre: “LeRoy was a great leader and teammate. In professional football, great players have a knack for being around the ball and producing big plays, and LeRoy was that player.”

Butler is also the final member of the NFL’s 1990s All-Decade Team to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

From former Packers coach Mike Holmgren: “LeRoy was a great player and team leader who I always knew I could on in any situation.”

Joining Butler in the 2022 class is Bryant Young, Sam Mills, Richard Seymour, Tony Boselli, Cliff Branch, Art McNally and Dick Vermeil.

The class of 2022 will be inducted into the Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Canton in August.

Retired Packers S LeRoy Butler is a Hall of Fame finalist for third straight year

Is the third time the charm for retired Packers S LeRoy Butler and the Pro Football Hall of Fame? He’s a finalist again.

For the third straight year, former Green Bay Packers safety LeRoy Butler is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Butler was announced as one of 15 modern-era finalists for the Hall of Fame Class of 2022 on Thursday.

He joins Jared Allen, Willie Anderson, Ronde Barber, Tony Boselli, Devin Hester, Torry Holt, Andre Johnson, Sam Mills, Richard Seymour, Zach Thomas, DeMarcus Ware, Reggie Wayne, Patrick Willis and Bryant Young.

Butler, now in his 16th year of eligibility, is one of seven finalists who have been a finalist at least three times.

Butler played 181 games over 12 seasons with the Packers. He was a four-time Pro Bowler, four-time All-Pro and a member of the 1990s NFL All-Decade Team.

Butler’s Hall of Fame bio:

One of the most prolific defensive backs in the Packers’ storied history and among premier safeties of his era … Led the team in interceptions five times … Key member of defense that guided team’s resurgence that included seven playoff appearances in nine-season span … Helped lead Packers to three straight division titles (1995-97) and two Super Bowl appearances … Started at strong safety in three consecutive NFC Championship Games and Super Bowls XXXI and XXXII … Had seven tackles and one sack in Packers’ 35-21 victory over New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI …  Intercepted a pass in every season but his last … Career stats: 38 interceptions for 533 yards … Only pick-six came on 90-yard return versus San Diego Chargers, Sept. 15, 1996 … Registered 20.5 career sacks and one fumble recovery for a TD … Selected to four Pro Bowls … All-Pro four times (1993, 1996, 1997, 1998) … Named to NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s.

The Hall of Fame Selection Committee will meet again to discuss finalists on Jan. 18. Up to five players can be elected, but the player must receive at least 80 percent of the votes.

Former Packers S LeRoy Butler is Hall of Fame semifinalist for 5th straight year

For the fifth straight year, former Packers S LeRoy Butler is a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Is the fifth time the charm for former Green Bay Packers safety LeRoy Butler and the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

The Hall of Fame announced 26 modern era semifinalists for the class of 2022 on Wednesday, and Butler was once again a semifinalist. He’s been a semifinalist every year since 2018 and a finalist each of the last two years.

Butler, who finished his career with 38 interceptions and 20.5 sacks, is one of 17 returning semifinalists from last year’s class. He is the only remaining member of the 1990’s All-Decade Team not in the Hall of Fame.

Before final voting takes place, the 26 semifinalists will be narrowed down to 15 finalists. Last year, finalists were announced in January.

Butler and Darren Woodson are the only safeties in the semifinalist class. There are four defensive backs in the class overall.

Only five players have been semifinalists in more years than Butler: Woodson (6), Hines Ward (6), Steve Tasker (9), Torry Holt (8) and Tony Boselli (7).

Here’s the Hall of Fame’s profile on Butler:

One of the most prolific defensive backs in the Packers’ storied history and among premier safeties of his era … Led the team in interceptions five times … Key member of defense that guided team’s resurgence that included seven playoff appearances in nine-season span … Helped lead Packers to three straight division titles (1995-97) and two Super Bowl appearances … Started at strong safety in three consecutive NFC Championship Games and Super Bowls XXXI and XXXII … Had seven tackles and one sack in Packers’ 35-21 victory over New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI … Intercepted a pass in every season but his last … Career stats: 38 interceptions for 533 yards … Only pick-six came on 90-yard return versus San Diego Chargers, Sept. 15, 1996 … Registered 20.5 career sacks and one fumble recovery for a TD … Selected to four Pro Bowls … All-Pro four times (1993, 1996, 1997, 1998) … Named to NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s.

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