Pro Football Hall of Fame – Page 6

Lions legend, Hall of Fame LB Joe Schmidt has passed away

Lions legend and Pro Football Hall of Fame LB Joe Schmidt has passed away at 93

One the greatest Detroit Lions in the franchise’s long history has passed away. Linebacker Joe Schmidt, a fixture in the middle of the Detroit defense from 1953 to 1965, was 92 and had been in hospice care.

Schmidt was a 10-time All-Pro as a middle linebacker and the centerpiece of two Lions championship squads. He was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973.

Schmidt also coached the Lions from 1967 to 1972. He was a member of the NFL’s top 100 players of all-time. His No. 56 is retired by the Lions.

Our deepest sympathies are with Schmidt’s loved ones and Lion

Karl Mecklenburg among former Broncos nominated for Hall of Fame

Karl Mecklenburg headlines the list of former Broncos players nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2025 class.

Following the enshrinement of senior candidate Randy Gradishar this year, 11 more Denver Broncos legends are now candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame announced 183 senior nominees for the 2025 class on Tuesday and do-it-all-defender Karl Mecklenburg is joined by linebacker Tom Jackson, safety Dennis Smith, wide receiver Lionel Taylor, returner Rick Upchurch, cornerback Louis Wright, receiver Bob Scarpitto, defensive lineman Michael Dean Perry, running back Sammy Winder, defensive lineman Lyle Alzado and defensive end Rich Jackson on the ballot.

Former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan is also expected to be a candidate once again this year in the coach category. Shanahan’s chances of getting in might be improved now that coach and contributor categories have been separated.

As for senior players, Mecklenburg, Jackson, Smith, Taylor, Upchurch and Wright all have impressive resumes and they are all members of the Broncos Ring of Fame. Because he was a versatile playmaker in Denver’s 3-4 defense, Mecklenberg might have the best chance to get in among the team’s senior candidates.

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Hall of Fame’s new eligibility rules impact Mike Shanahan and Bill Belichick

Bill Belichick won’t be eligible for the Hall of Fame before 2026 at the earliest. Mike Shanahan should be part of the 2025 class.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame made a notable change to its eligibility policy for coaches last week.

Previously, coaches had to wait until five years after they left the NFL to be eligible for the Hall of Fame. Under the new policy, coaches only have to wait one year until they are eligible for Canton.

That’s a notable development for former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who is without a team this fall. If Belichick does not return to coaching before next season, he will be eligible for the 2026 class. (It’s still possible that Belichick could return to coaching, though.)

With Belichick still not eligible for at least another year, former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan should remain a strong candidate for the 2025 class. The Hall of Fame has also separated the “coach” and “contributor” categories, which could improve Shanahan’s chances.

Previously, those categories were combined and up to two candidates were elected each year, so it was possible for two “contributors” and no coaches to be elected in a class. Now one coach and one contributor can make it in with each class.

Shanahan, a three-time Super Bowl champion, won back-to-back titles as a head coach with the Broncos. Elements of his offense (and many disciples from his coaching tree) are still seen across the league today. Sean Payton, Denver’s current coach, has said Shanahan should already be in Canton.

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New rule changes Bill Belichick’s Pro Football Hall of Fame eligibility

Bill Belichick could be eligible for the Hall of Fame sooner than expected

A new selection rule for the Pro Football Hall of Fame has pushed up the induction eligibility for former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick.

Per Pro Football Talk, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced on Friday that coaches will only need to be out of the NFL for one season before they’d be eligible to be inducted. That’s a drastic shift from the previous rule, which made coaches wait for five seasons.

So Belichick, who parted ways with the Patriots after 24 years back in January, will be eligible for the Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Under the previous rule, the legendary coach wouldn’t have been eligible until 2029.

Keep in mind, Belichick never officially retired from coaching, and there is belief that he’ll once again be in the mix for a job in the 2025 coaching cycle. If he ends up coaching elsewhere, that would officially push back his eligibility.

Belichick is only 15 wins away from surpassing Don Schula to become the winningest coach in NFL history. It’s hard to envision him walking away from a job opportunity, if one becomes available.

Notre Dame receiver named to Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List

Don’t mess with Texas.

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and that’s especially true when it comes to football. In fact, there’s a college football award that revolves entirely around players with some connection to the Lone Star State. And a Notre Dame receiver could win it this year.

Irish receiver [autotag]Jaden Greathouse[/autotag] has been named to the watch list for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award. To be eligible, a player must play on the offensive side of the ball and either was born in Texas or played football at a high school, junior college or university based in the state. The player must also share characteristics with the Hall of Fame running back the award is named for.

This award first was given out in 2013. So far, only quarterbacks and running backs have won it, and only one winner has played for a college team based north of the Mason-Dixon Line. Time for Greathouse to make some history.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Giants legend Ottis Anderson baffled by Hall of Fame omission

New York Giants legend Ottis “O.J.” Anderson has the credentials for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but has yet to be called.

What does it take to get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame these days?

No one really knows. It took New York Giants nine-time Pro Bowl linebacker Harry Carson 18 years to get his gold jacket and Joe Klecko of the New York Jets — one of the NFL’s most dominant defensive linemen of the 1970s and 80s — 35 long years before he got the call to Canton.

So where does that leave a player such as running back Ottis “O.J.” Anderson?

We made a case for induction into the Hall on behalf of Anderson last year here on Giants Wire, but it didn’t seem to move the needle very much with voters.

Anderson, who retired in 1992, is obviously frustrated, enough to publicly voice his disappointment regarding the omission. He recently spoke to FOX5NY about his ordeal.

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For those unfamiliar with O.J.’s career, here is a snippet from the article we posted last April:

Anderson essentially had two careers — one with the St. Louis Cardinals and another with the Giants. Cumulatively, they add up to a Hall of Fame career.

Selected eighth overall by the Cardinals out of Miami in the 1979 NFL draft, Anderson earned Offensive Rookie of the Year and All-Pro honors later that season. He was selected to the Pro Bowl the next year as well.

In seven-plus seasons in St. Louis, Anderson rushed for 7,999 yards on 1,858 attempts — both still Cardinals’ franchise records — for a 4.3 average. In 1986, he lost his starting gig to Stump Mitchell and was traded to the Giants in October for 1987 second- and seventh-round selections.

Anderson played six-plus seasons for the Giants, won two Super Bowls, was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 1989, and the MVP of Super Bowl XXV.

Ottis is one of only four running backs in NFL history to score rushing touchdowns in two Super Bowls and win a Super Bowl MVP (Hall of Famers Franco Harris, John Riggins, and Emmitt Smith are the others).

Anderson’s 10,273 rushing yards are 30th all-time and his 13,335 yards from scrimmage are 44th in NFL history. He is 19th all-time in rushing touchdowns with 81. When he retired in 1992 Anderson ranked seventh in rushing touchdowns and eighth in rushing yards.

Anderson was inducted into the Giants’ Ring of Honor in 2022 but has yet to be recognized by the Cardinals’ organization.

It’s time for the voters to recognize that Anderson has earned the right to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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Randy Gradishar finally receives his Hall of Fame jacket

Gradishar is the first member of the “Orange Crush” to be honored in the Hall of Fame.

It has been 35 years in the making, but the first member of the famed “Orange Crush” defense received his Hall of Fame gold jacket.

Randy Gradishar received his long-awaited turn to put on his gold jacket in Canton, Ohio, prior to his enshrinement speech on Saturday at 12:00 pm.

Fellow Hall of Fame Broncos defender Steve Atwater presented Gradishar with his jacket in front of family and friends. After putting on his jacket, Gradishar was embraced by his family, and his presenter for the Hall of Fame, Tom Jackson.

Gradishar played for the Broncos from 1974-1983, as the anchor man of the famous “Orange Crush” defense of the late 1970’s, when Denver went to its first Super Bowl in 1977.

Gradishar is one of at least a dozen “true” Broncos who have been enshrined in the walls of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and there is hope on the horizon for more former players and coaches to get “The Knock.”

View all of the Broncos players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Randy Gradishar is the latest Broncos legend to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame. View the full list here.

Former Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on Saturday evening.

So, how many players do the Broncos have in the Hall of Fame now? That depends on who you believe qualifies for the count.

There are several players — running back Floyd Little, quarterback John Elway, safety Steve Atwater, tight end Shanahan Sharpe, offensive lineman Gary Zimmerman, running back Terrell Davis and cornerback Champ Bailey — who are obvious Broncos Hall of Famers. That’s seven.

Quarterback Peyton Manning only played four years in Denver, but he won the AFC West in all four seasons and won Super Bowl 50 with the Broncos. That’s eight. Outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware spent the majority of his career with the Dallas Cowboys, but he won his ring in Denver. Nine.

John Lynch won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but he, like Manning, played the final four years of his career with the Broncos — and he’s a member of the team’s Ring of Fame. Ten.

So Gradishar is essentially the 11th Denver player to reach Canton. There are others, though. Safety Brian Dawkins played three seasons with the Broncos. Cornerback Willie Brown played four seasons in Denver before a 12-year stint with the Oakland Raiders. Running back Tony Dorsett and cornerback Ty Law also spent one season each with the Broncos.

Additionally, late team owner Pat Bowlen was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2019. So there are at least a dozen members of the Hall of Fame who Broncos fans can claim as their own. Up next should be former coach Mike Shanahan, who was snubbed again by voters in 2024.

Here’s a quick list of every former Bronco in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

1. RB Floyd Little (1967-1975)

2. LB Randy Gradishar (1974-1983)

3. QB John Elway (1983-1998)

4. DB Steve Atwater (1989-1998)

5. TE Shannon Sharpe (1990-1999, 2002-’03)

7. OL Gary Zimmerman (1993-1997)

(USA TODAY Sports, US Presswire Sports Archive)

8. RB Terrell Davis (1995-2001)

9. CB Champ Bailey (2004-2013)

10. DB John Lynch (2004-2007)

(Rick Scuteri-US Presswire Copyright Rick Scuteri)

11. QB Peyton Manning (2012-2015)

12. OLB DeMarcus Ware (2014-2016)

13. Owner Pat Bowlen (1984-2019)

14. DB Brian Dawkins (2009-2011)

15. CB Willie Brown (1963-1966)

16. RB Tony Dorsett (1988)

17. CB Ty Law (2009)

How to watch the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony

Here’s how you can watch the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony:

A Carolina Panthers icon is less than 24 hours away from solidifying his legacy.

Tomorrow, Julius Peppers officially takes his spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And in case you need the rundown on how to tune in, we’ve got you covered . . .

Date: Saturday, Aug. 3
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio
Television: ESPN, NFL Network
Stream: Fubo

The order of the enshrinements is as follows:

Dwight Freeney | Presenter: Jim Irsay (Colts owner)
Steve McMichael | Presenter: Jarrett Payton (Walter Payton’s son)
Randy Gradishar | Presenter: Tom Jackson (former Broncos LB)
Devin Hester | Presenter: Juanita Brown (Hester’s mother)
Patrick Willis | Presenter: Ernicka Willis (Wills’ sister)
Julius Peppers | Presenter: Carl Carey (Peppers’ agent)
Andre Johnson | Presenter: Gary Kubiak (former Texans HC)

Peppers will be the fifth individual with Panthers ties to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He’ll join Reggie White (2006), Bill Polian (2015), Kevin Greene (2016) and Sam Mills (2022).

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UNC and NFL legend Julius Peppers applauded at Hall of Fame Game Thursday night

Julius Peppers, who starred at UNC from 1999-2001 but ended his NFL career as a Hall-of-Famer, made a special appearance at the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday.

Saturday, August 3 is going to be a special day for seven former football stars, as they’ll hear their names called during the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 induction ceremony.

All-Pro return man Devin Hester and star wide receiver Andre Johnson, both of whom played for the ACC’s Miami Hurricanes, are two of the more recent inductees to play in an NFL game. You also have a pair of legendary defenders in linebacker Patrick Willis and edge rusher Dwight Freeney, linebacker Randy Gradishar, Super Bowl-winning defensive lineman and – last but not least – former North Carolina Tar Heels standout Julius Peppers, who has the fourth-most NFL sacks all-time.

Peppers held the rare distinction of being a 2-sport athlete at UNC, playing both basketball and football. The latter was his calling, though, with Peppers recording 30.5 carer sacks in Chapel Hill, being named First Team All-ACC twice and winning the Chuck Bednarik Award in 2001.

Peppers was even better as a pro. Along with his 159.5 sacks ranking fourth all-time, Peppers made the Pro Bowl nine times, was a 3-time First Team All-Pro and the 2002 Defensive Rookie of the Year.

While Peppers waits to hear his name called during Saturday’s induction ceremony, he enjoyed a special moment before the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, Aug. 1.

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It’s customary for inductees to spend the week before in Canton, Ohio – where the Pro Football Hall of Fame is – but it feels even more special to see Peppers there.

What’s even more bittersweet for Peppers, is the fact he got to walk out before his Chicago Bears played. Peppers suited up in Chicago from 2010-2013, though he spent 10 of his 17 years with the Carolina Panthers.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.