Tag: Pro Football Hall of Fame

Randy Gradishar speaks on the personal significance of 2024 Enshrinement Week

Denver Broncos legend Randy Gradishar is anxiously awaiting his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Former Denver Bronco and current Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Randy Gradishar recently spoke out about the significance of the 2024 Enshrinement Week on deck in Canton.

“It’s very exciting for sure,” Gradishar told media members in Denver earlier this week. “I’m very nervous and just getting ready from getting there — we’ll be leaving on Wednesday. Once we’re there, they [have] you going 12, 14 hours a day doing all kinds of different things. Getting ready for the game, getting ready for your speech and all those kinds of different things along with trying to say hello to some of your friends and family.

“It’s going to be an exciting time and it’s exciting for me because I’m from the area — born and raised in Warren Champion, Ohio, which is about 40 miles from Akron and Canton. I always passed it when I went down to Ohio State. I always went through Akron and Canton. [I’m] looking forward to that and looking forward to finding out how many more Buckeyes are still there.”

Gradishar hung up his cleats in 1983, and he had a long wait to reach Canton. Fittingly, the number of years he waited to reach the Hall of Fame have a connection to his jersey number.

“I asked the Lord — I said why does it take 35 years for this, and I turned it around and it was ‘53,’ my number,” Gradishar said. “It took 35 years for whatever reason in order for me to be chosen to come into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”

Prior to his election, Gradishar’s Hall of Fame resume was reminiscent of several current Hall of Famers, such as Chuck Bednarik, Dick Butkus, Brian Urlacher and Ray Lewis.

Gradishar is the first member of the famed “Orange Crush” defense of the late 1970s to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Gradishar shared his elation that he was the first member of the unit to be inducted, and the hope that others will follow.

“Finally, the ‘Orange Crush’ is being recognized and I hope through my induction that other guys here in the near future — their names will be coming up and they will be able to have the opportunity to possibly be nominated and come in as a part of that ‘Orange Crush’ defense.”

Gradishar will be presented by fellow Broncos Ring of Famer Tom Jackson.

The Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony will take place on Aug. 3.

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WATCH: Bears great Devin Hester receives Gold Jacket from Hall of Fame

Watch as Bears legend Devin Hester, surrounded by family, receives his Gold Jacket from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Chicago Bears legend Devin Hester has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, where the 2024 class will be celebrated with an enshrinement ceremony on Aug. 3, in Canton, Ohio.

Ahead of the enshrinement ceremony, Hester was gifted his Gold Jacket that comes with his induction among football’s immortals. The Hall of Fame shared a video of Hester opening his Gold Jacket with his family gathered around him.

For Hester, it’s a moment years in the making. Many believed that Hester, considered the greatest return specialist of all time, should’ve been a first ballot Hall of Famer. But after waiting two years, he’s finally taken his place among the NFL’s greatest.

“This is a wild dream that I never imagined,” Hester said, via the Sun-Times. “This is bigger than everything. This is not only a dream, but this is something that I felt as a kid was impossible. That was just too much out of the picture. It’s like hitting the lotto.”

Hester, a three-time first-team All Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, forever changed the game as a return specialist. He has more punt returns than anyone in NFL history with 14, his 20 total non-offensive touchdowns are also the most in league history, and he has the highest average yards per punt return among those with at least 300 returns in NFL history.

Hester is one of three former Bears players, also including Steve McMichael and Julius Peppers, being enshrined into the Hall of Fame this year. Chicago is slated to face the Houston Texans in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 1.

49ers legend Patrick Willis gets Hall of Fame jacket ahead of induction ceremony

LOOK: Patrick Willis gets his Hall of Fame jacket.

49ers legendary linebacker Patrick Willis’ wait for the Hall of Fame is over, as is his wait for a gold jacket.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday posted a video of Willis opening the iconic gold jacket that Hall of Famers receive upon their selection to pro football’s most exclusive fraternity.

While the video doesn’t show Willis putting the jacket on, 49ers fans will get to see him wear it for the first time at the induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio on Aug. 3.

This year was Willis’ fifth on the ballot and his fifth as a HOF finalist. He spent eight seasons in the NFL all with the 49ers and racked up a Defensive Rookie of the Year award, seven Pro Bowl trips and six All-Pro nods while leading the NFL in tackles twice.

Willis is joined in the 2024 Hall of Fame class by defensive end Dwight Freeney, linebacker Randy Gradishar, kick returner Devin Hester, wide receiver Andre Johnson, offensive lineman Steve McMichael, and defensive end Julius Peppers.

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WATCH: Panthers great Julius Peppers receives his Hall of Fame gold jacket

After donning that Carolina blue for so many years, Panthers great Julius Peppers is set to go gold.

Julius Peppers will be looking as good as gold in Canton next month.

The Carolina Panthers great just experienced the latest step in his journey to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as he received his gold jacket courtesy of Haggar Clothing Co.

Here’s the moment in which Peppers first broke out the threads:

Peppers was elected in his first year of eligibility. And it was an honor that was well-deserved, as the prolific pass rusher wrapped up his 17-year NFL career as a three-time first-team All-Pro, a three-time second-team All-Pro, a nine-time Pro Bowler and a member of the NFL’s 2000s and 2010s All-Decade teams.

Ten of those 17 seasons were spent in Carolina, where the Wilson, N.C., native and University of North Carolina legend established himself as one of the greatest players in Panthers history. Peppers amassed a franchise-leading 97.0 sacks, six interceptions, 34 forced fumbles and 10 fumble recoveries over his two stints in the black and blue.

When Aug. 3 comes around, he’ll be wearing that gold.

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WATCH: Commanders rookie Mike Sainristil training with Darrell Green

The rookie cornerback is spending some time with the legendary Darrell Green ahead of training camp.

Washington Commanders rookie cornerback Mike Sainristil put himself in the good graces of the team’s fans shortly after he was drafted.

Sainristil responded to an Instagram post from franchise legend Darrell Green, wanting an opportunity to train with the Pro Football Hall of Famer.

“Let’s get in the lab, OG,” Sainristil said.

Green quickly responded: “you say when!”

As it turns out, Sainristil wasn’t joking around. This week, he trained with the four-time winner of the NFL’s Fastest Man award.

Check it out via Instagram:

Here’s the full Instagram link so you can watch the video.

Washington fans are already excited about Sainristil. A star at Michigan, Sainristil was an All-American who intercepted six passes last season in leading the Wolverines to the national championship. Legendary former Alabama coach Nick Saban called him perhaps the best “pound-for-pound player” in the 2024 NFL draft.

But reaching out to Green, arguably the most popular player in franchise history, makes him even more of a fan favorite. Green, who will have his No. 28 retired sometime in the upcoming season, has pledged his full support behind the Commanders under new owner Josh Harris. Green has spoken with Emmanuel Forbes, too.

The Commanders’ rookies report to training camp next (July 18), with the veterans coming five days later. Sainristil will be ready.

 

WATCH: Broncos great Randy Gradishar receives Hall of Fame jacket

Broncos legendary linebacker Randy Gradishar has his gold jacket ready for his Hall of Fame enshrinement next month.

The anticipation continues to build for former Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar until his official enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August.

One of the most important pieces prior to Enshrinement Week has fallen into place, as Gradishar has received his famous gold jacket, made by Haggar Co.

When Gradishar opened his jacket box and read the inscription inside, his excitement was clear.

Gradishar took his jacket out of the box, he immediately wanted to try it on, before looking on the inside. He exclaimed, “My name’s on it! My name’s in here!”

After several excruciating years of being snubbed by the Hall of Fame Senior Committee, Gradishar was finally selected for induction into the Hall of Fame in February.

Following his election into the Hall of Fame, Gradishar was part of several large events, both personally and with the Denver franchise. May 3rd was declared “Randy Gradishar Day” by Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Gradishar was a focal point in helping unveil the Broncos’ new throwback jerseys in April.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week begins Aug. 1 and continues through Aug. 4.

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WATCH: Washington legend Brian Mitchell on Celebrity Family Feud

Mitchell was one of five NFL legends on the latest Celebrity Family Feud.

Brian Mitchell enjoyed a 14-year NFL career before retiring after the 2003 season. Mitchell enjoyed most of his success in Washington, where he spent the first 10 seasons of his career and was a part of the franchise’s last Super Bowl champion.

These days, Mitchell is back in the DMV and co-hosts a radio show on 106.7 The Fan in D.C. called “BMitch & Finlay.”

On Tuesday, Mitchell was on national TV as one of five NFL legends on “Celebrity Family Feud” with Steve Harvey.

Mitchell joined T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Andre Rison, Terrell Owens, and LeSean McCoy as they faced off against five United States Olympians.

Check it out:

Here’s a graphic of the faceoff:

Mitchell ended his career as the NFL’s all-time leader in kick and punt return yardage, and sits behind only Jerry Rice as the league’s all-time leader in total yardage.

Yet, somehow, Mitchell is still waiting for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Former Husker quarterback’s jersey displayed in Pro Football Hall of Fame

The jersey worn by Adrian Martinez of the Birmingham Stallions during their victory in the inaugural UFL Championship Game is now being shown in Canton. 

A former Nebraska quarterback has had his jersey displayed in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The jersey worn by Adrian Martinez of the Birmingham Stallions during their victory in the inaugural UFL Championship Game is now being shown in Canton.

Martinez and the Stallions defeated the San Antonio Brahmas 25-0 in the inaugural United Football League Championship Game. He was named the game’s Most Valuable Player after the victory.

The quarterback played four seasons at Nebraska, from 2018-21, before transferring to Kansas State to finish his career. While in college, he threw for 9,391 yards and 49 touchdowns with 30 interceptions. Martinez also ran for 2,847 yards and 44 touchdowns.

A game ball and a jersey Martinez wore in the UFL title game have been placed on display in the Hall of Fame’s “Pro Football Today Gallery.”

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WATCH: Washington legend Darrell Green looks like he can still play at 64

Darrell Green has still got it.

Darrell Green is one of the NFL’s greatest cornerbacks. How hard is it to play in the NFL for 20 years, much less at cornerback, where you are on an island on every play?

Green played all 20 seasons in Washington, won two Super Bowls, was a four-time first-team All-Pro, seven-time Pro Bowler and a member of the 1990s All-Decade Team. Green was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008 — his first year of eligibility.

Throughout his NFL career, Green was also a four-time winner of the “NFL’s Fastest Man” award.

Since his retirement in 2002, Green has often run the 40-yard dash to show everyone he still had the speed he was famous for. In recent months, Green has returned to the Washington organization under new owner Josh Harris and will have his jersey retired this upcoming season.

These days, Green still trains as if he still plays.

On Sunday, Green took to his Instagram to show he’s still got it.

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Keep in mind that Green is 64 years old.

The Commanders could use some help at cornerback in 2024.

Husker alumni Monte Kiffin honored at Pro Football Hall of Fame

Monte Kiffin, father of Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, received the Hall of Fame’s Award of Excellence for his career as a defensive coordinator in the NFL.

A long-time football coach and Husker alum earned a reward from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in late June. Monte Kiffin, father of Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, received the Hall of Fame’s Award of Excellence for his career as a defensive coordinator in the NFL.

Kiffin coached in the NFL from 1983 to 2016, making numerous stops across the league. He is known for his main tenure as defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers between 1996 and 2008.

There, he helped lead the Buccaneers to become a threatening defense that allowed the fewest points per game (17.5) while ranking second in both yards allowed per game (286.8) and total takeaways (293) during his reign.

He helped architect the iconic “Tampa 2” defense that revolutionized the NFL. This defense culminated in the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl XXXVII win, which saw three Tampa Bay pick-sixes. Kiffin’s time with the Buccaneers helped him become a member of Tampa Bay’s Ring of Honor.

Kiffin also coached as the defensive coordinator for Nebraska from 1969 to 1976, helping the Huskers to the 1970 and 1971 national championships. He also played for Nebraska from 1959 to 1963 as a defensive and offensive lineman.

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