Texans QB C.J. Stroud staying ‘even-keeled’ about having his football in Pro Football Hall of Fame

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is keeping things in perspective as a football of his in now on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Fact: C.J. Stroud’s name is already in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame announced Oct. 23 they were displaying the Houston Texans quarterback’s football from his first career interception thrown Week 6. The significance was due to it being his 191st career pass, setting a new record for most pass attempts without an interception to start a career. The previous mark Dak Prescott’s 176 in 2016.

Stroud understands the significance of the football’s placement, but also has his sights set on larger, team related goals.

“It’s cool,” said Stroud. “I really don’t think about it much. I just try to stay even-keeled — onto the next. You have to celebrate those small victories and those things because I do work hard on certain things like that, but it’s never at the front of my mind.”

There are a myriad of positives that could distract Stroud, what with Houston being 3-3 and arguably completed their rebuild. For the Texans, no longer is a question of “when” but “what’s next” as it relates to the franchise’s outlook.

Stroud relies on personnel within the team to help him stay grounded amid the accolades.

Said Stroud: “Dylan Thompson, our player development guy, does a really good job — he sends me scriptures, certain sermons and little quotes to keep me level-headed, so he helped me out a lot with stuff like that. I always try not to think about it too much, but at the same time, be grateful for it.”

The Texans will have a test in Week 8 as they take on the Carolina Panthers Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time from Bank of America Stadium. The matchup is a pairing of Stroud and Bryce Young, who went ahead as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. A win would not only validate Houston’s decision to take Stroud, but give the Texans its first winning record in October since 2019.

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Broncos vs. Packers series history: Denver aims to take all-time lead

The all-time series between the Broncos and Packers is tied 7-7-1. Who will pull ahead on Sunday?

The 1-5 Denver Broncos are set to take on the 2-3 Green Bay Packers at Empower Field at Mile High in Week 7.

The Broncos and Packers series goes back to 1971, when the Packers won the first meeting 34-13. Since then, the teams have played 14 additional times. The most meaningful and memorable matchup for the Broncos was in Super Bowl XXXII.

That year, Denver came in as 11-point underdogs to the reigning Super Bowl champs. Super Bowl XXXII featured eight future Pro Football Hall of Famers (John Elway, Brett Favre, Steve Atwater, Gary Zimmerman, Terrell Davis, Shannon Sharpe, Reggie White and Ron Wolf).

The highlight of the game was Elway’s famous “Helicopter” play, where he dove for a first down and was hit by multiple Packers defenders in midair. Denver came away with their first-ever championship, 31-24. Interestingly enough, the Broncos also beat Green Bay en route to their second and third championships, 31-10 and 29-10 victories, respectively, in 1998 and 2015.

The last time these two squads met was in 2019. The Broncos went into the game with quarterback Joe Flacco, and Green Bay by Aaron Rodgers. The Packers were the better team in a game where the running backs dominated. Aaron Jones rushed for two touchdowns for the Packers, while former Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay also ran for two touchdowns.

The all-time series between Denver and Green Bay is tied 7-7-1. The Broncos will aim to pull ahead on Sunday.

Denver looks to right a sinking ship of a declining defense and an inconsistent offense in this game against a perennially NFC North powerhouse.

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WATCH: Legendary Dolphins LB Zach Thomas receives Hall of Fame ring at halftime on Sunday

Miami fans celebrated the career of one of the greatest LBs to ever grace the field on Sunday.

While the Miami Dolphins were downing the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, the team held a very special ceremony during halftime of the contest to honor one of the best to ever don the uniform.

Former Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame back in August, but he waited to receive his ring in front of the fans who cheered him on throughout his 12-year tenure in Miami.

Thomas got the opportunity to run out onto the field with his kids before hearing a few words from the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Jim Porter and Dolphins owner Stephen Ross.

The former Dolphin then took the stage to thank his teammates, coaches, family and fans who helped him become the player that he was and the man that he is today.

Of course, Thomas, with his mind always on the game, ended with “Let’s win the second half.” So appropriate from one of the all-time gamers.

Derrick Thomas’ family to receive ‘Ring of Excellence’ before Chiefs’ matchup vs. Broncos

Derrick Thomas’ family will receive a ‘Ring of Excellence’ before the #Chiefs’ Week 5 matchup against the #Broncos.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame will honor the family of late Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas with a “Ring of Excellence” ahead of the team’s matchup against the Denver Broncos on Thursday.

News of the forthcoming gesture broke on Twitter last night when the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced that Kay Jewelers would sponsor the pregame ceremony.

 

Thomas is one of the NFL’s all-time best pass rushers and was a key member of Kansas City’s elite defenses in a decade-long stretch from 1989 until 1999. He accumulated more than 126 sacks over the course of his storied career before his untimely death in 2000.

No single player has had more of an impact on the Chiefs franchise, and his legacy lives on in the memories of fans who witnessed his exceptional rise to stardom. Expect Kansas City’s defense to play with an extra edge against Denver as they look to honor Thomas with an exceptional performance.

Players, fans take to Twitter to send Harrison Smith to Canton

Smith belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

The Minnesota Vikings had a hard-fought victory over the Carolina Panthers 21-13 on Sunday afternoon. The catalyst of the game was superstar safety Harrison Smith.

For the defense, Smith was everywhere for the Vikings. He hit Adam Thielen so hard that he ended up twisting his ankle and had three sacks on the day. One of those resulted in a scoop-and-score for D.J. Wonnum and the other essentially ended the football game.

After the game, many marveled over his performance, which was reminiscent of his days with Mike Zimmer. They didn’t just marvel over his performance, but fans and players took to Twitter saying he deserves a spot in Canton, Ohio’s Pro Football Hall of Fame.

LOOK: Family of Ken Stabler accepts long overdue Hall of Fame ring of excellence

LOOK: Family of Ken Stabler accepts long overdue Hall of Fame ring of excellence

Ken Stabler waited too long to be accepted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. So long, in fact, that he passed on before it could happen. Then after his enshrinement, the Hall of Fame denied his family their right to his Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence.

Recently that rule was changed.

Now another long wait has come to an end. Tonight, appropriately just prior to the Raiders facing their old rival Steelers, Kendra Stabler was finally presented with her father’s Hall of Fame ring.

Several Raiders Hall of Famers were in attendance for the event including Stabler teammates Jim Otto and Fred Biletnikoff.

Kendra and her sons took the field donning the jersey of their legendary father and grandfather. They were greeted with hugs from Biletnikoff who spent much of his Hall of Fame career catching passes from Ken Stabler.

After a short speech, Mark Davis presented Kendra with the ring. She held it out to the camera to show it off.

“Mark Davis called me before the season ended last year to tell me the good news that the Hall changed their policy regarding posthumously inducted players getting a Hall of Fame ring,” Kendra Stabler told me last August. “Mark Davis & Virginia Madden were instrumental in making this happen and the new President of the Hall of Fame, Jim Porter.”

Davis made it a mission of his to ensure the families of those inducted posthumously got the rings they deserved. Because the Stabler family as well as the family of Cliff Branch were both affected by the rule.

The Branch family received their ring during the 2022 season finale.

Brian Branch gets representation in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Lions DB Brian Branch gets representation in the Pro Football Hall of Fame after his first career NFL game

Not many NFL players can say they did something worthy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in their first career game. Lions defensive back Brian Branch can make that claim.

Branch’s jersey from the Lions’ season-opening win against the Kansas City Chiefs is now on display at the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Detroit’s rookie scored on a pick-six off MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes in his NFL debut, and the Hall of Fame is honoring the accomplishment.

The jersey itself also features something notable. From the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s press release,

Branch’s jersey features the “NFL PREM1ERE” patch, the League’s first jersey patch program created to recognize and celebrate each rookie’s first game in the NFL.

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10 Raiders legends among modern-era nominees for Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2024

Modern-era nominees for the Hall of Fame class of 2024 have been announced. And plenty of Raiders made the list.

Today the Pro Football Hall of Fame released their list of the modern-era nominees for the class of 2024. Among them were 11 Raiders legends.

These are those players:

QB Rich Gannon
RB Charlie Garner
WR Andre Rison
G Steve Wisniewski
DT La’Roi Glover
DE Justin Tuck
NT Ted Washington
LB NaVorro Bowman
CB Eric Allen
P Shane Lechler

These modern-era nominees are joined by Senior Committee finalist WR Art Powell, bringing the number of Raiders nominated for the 2024 Hall of Fame class to 11.

You can see the whole list of 173 modern-era nominees and senior committee finalists here.

17 former Eagles nominated for 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class

Brian Westbrook, Michael Vick Donovan McNabb, and Eric Allen are among the 17 former Philadelphia Eagles nominated for the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame class

The NFL just announced that nine players in their first year of eligibility are among the 173 Modern-Era Nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024.

The list of first-time nominees includes running back Jamaal Charles, wide receiver Brandon Marshall, wide receiver Jordy Nelson, tight end Antonio Gates, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, and defensive end Julius Peppers.

The list of Modern-Era Nominees will be reduced to 25 Semifinalists in November and, from there, to 15 Finalists whose names will be announced in early January.

Here’s the list of 17 former Eagles among the nominees.

Chiefs legend Jamaal Charles named Hall of Fame nominee in first year of eligibility

Former Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles named a Hall of Fame nominee in his first year of eligibility | from: @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ rich history of former players has played significant roles in the NFL. Many players and coaches who have represented the franchise are enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The team may have another former player getting the nod for the most prestigious honor in football, as Jamaal Charles was named a nominee in his first year of eligibility. The Pro Football Hall of Fame posted the announcement on social media as Charles was listed amongst 173 Modern-Era nominees for the Class of 2024. Charles is one of nine new former players added to the list for induction consideration.

The other eight first-time nominees include wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Jordy Nelson, tight end Antonio Gates, offensive linemen T.J. Lang, Josh Sitton, Max Unger, and defensive linemen Haloti Ngata and Julius Peppers. The list of Modern-Era Nominees will be reduced from 173 to 25 Semifinalists in November.

Charles retired following the 2018 season but became one of the best running backs in the league while with the Chiefs for nine seasons. His 1,332 carries are the second most in franchise history, and his 7,260 rushing yards are still the most in Chiefs history. The former third-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft also tallied 64 touchdowns for fifth all-time among Kansas City players.