Tag: Pro Football Hall of Fame 2022 class

Raiders, Patriots DL Richard Seymour breaks through on Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2022

Richard Seymour breaks through on Hall of Fame class of 2022

Tonight on the NFL Honors eight inductees were announced into the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2022, including six modern-era inductees.

The Raiders saw two of their legends make this year’s class. Cliff Branch — getting in via the senior committee — and Richard Seymour.

Here is the entire class:

Richard Seymour
Tony Boselli
Bryant Young
Sam Mills
Leroy Butler
Dick Vermeil (coach)
Cliff Branch (senior)
Art McNally (contributor)

Branch’s induction is some 32 years in the making. You can read more about the late, great Raiders wide receiver finally being enshrined here.

Seymour has been a finalist the past five years since retiring from the NFL following the 2012 season. He spent his first eight NFL seasons with the New England Patriots, making the Pro Bowl five times and being named an All-Pro three times. He was also on three Super Bowl winning teams.

A trade to the Raiders meant he would spend the final four seasons of his career in Oakland where he would head to two more Pro Bowls.

The inductions of Seymour and Branch brings the Raiders’ total Hall of Fame players to 30.

Raiders legendary WR Cliff Branch to finally be enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame

Breaking: Cliff Branch finally headed to the Hall of Fame

It’s been 32 years since Cliff Branch’s first year of eligibility for the Hall of Fame. And it’s been 2.5 years since his unexpected passing at the age of 71. So, needless to say it’s been far too long of a wait for Branch to take his rightful place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But tonight he’s officially been named part of the Hall of Fame class of 2022.

Branch gets in via the Senior Committee. Just like Tom Flores, Ken Stabler, and Ray Guy before him. Also just like Stabler, his induction happens after his death.

There is never been a legitimate reason for Branch to not be in the Hall of Fame.

When Branch retired, he had three Super Bowl rings and was the all-time leader in postseason receiving yards. It wasn’t until some guy named Jerry Rice won a few Super Bowls to unseat Branch. He’s still fourth on the all-time list with all eligible receivers ahead of him already enshrined.

The speedy deep threat redefined the wide receiver position and his presence in the Raiders offense was vital to their high flying air attack. His former teammates know this. As Marcus Allen noted when I spoke with him last August.

“I think it’s almost criminal when you look at Cliff’s numbers,” said Allen of his Super Bowl XVIII teammate.

“Clearly a guy who changed the game. Changed coverages. Changed the way defense is played. Certainly opened up things for everybody else. . . There’s some people that just change the game. Like Bob Hayes changed the game. Cliff was one of those guys. And without Cliff Branch there’s no Freddy [Biletnikoff], there’s no Marcus, there’s no Todd Christensen, you know what I mean? Without Cliff.”

Now we can finally say the Hall of Fame won’t be without him either. As it should have always been.