Tag: Rodney Hampton

Throwback Thursday: Rodney Hampton sets Giants record vs. Cowboys in 1995

In 1995, Rodney Hampton rushed for 187 yards against the Dallas Cowboys, the most ever for a New York Giant against their NFC East foe.

The New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys have been playing one another at least twice per season every year since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger with the exception of the strike-shortened 1982 season.

By 1995, both teams had taken several turns at the top of the league. The Cowboys had been the top power in the NFC during the 1970s and fell into disarray the next decade as teams such as the Giants, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears and Washington Redskins took turns going to the Super Bowl.

The 1990s saw Dallas rise back to prominence behind owner Jerry Jones and head coaches Jimmy Johnson and Barry Swtizer. In 1995, however, the Cowboys were beginning to come back to the pack a bit.

In Week 16, the Cowboys (10-4) played host to the fading Giants (5-9) at Texas Stadium. Dallas was in a dogfight with the Philadelphia Eagles for the division lead and needed to knock off the Giants, who they had embarrassed on Monday Night Football, 35-0, earlier in the season.

During that Week 1 game, the Cowboys showed the Giants up in front of 77,454 — the largest crowd ever at Giants Stadium. The crowd was gathered not only for the rivalry but to pay tribute to former quarterback Phil Simms, who was having his No. 11 retired by the Giants at halftime.

To add insult to injury, Jones was cheering along the sidelines accompanied by Nike founder Phil Knight and tennis superstar Monica Seles, which the Giants and their fans found disrespectful and bush league.

This time around, things would not be so easy. Giants head coach Dan Reeves had his team ready. Big Blue led the game most of the first half and then into the fourth quarter when Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith scored from five yards out to make the score 18-17 in favor of Dallas.

Kicker Brad Daluiso put the Giants back in front, 20-18, with a 27-yard field goal but New York could not hold on. Cowboys kicker Chris Boniol then booted a 35-yarder with no time left on the clock to nip the Giants, 21-20, and keep the Cowboys’ divisional title hopes alive. Boniol had five field goals on the day.

“It’s tough to play as hard as you can and still lose it,” Reeves said. “We took it to them, but we missed key plays.”

That’s typical of the Reeves era here in New York. Good, but not quite good enough.

The game was memorable for other reasons, however. Running back Rodney Hampton, who will be enshrined in the Giants Ring on Honor during this week’s game, rushed for 187 yards on the afternoon. That set a franchise record against Dallas that stands to this day.

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Giants inducting Leonard Marshall, six others into Ring of Honor

The New York Giants will induct seven members into the Ring of Honor in 2022, including Leonard Marshall and Ronnie Barnes.

It’s been a long time coming, but Leonard Marshall is finally entering the New York Giants’ Ring of Honor.

Co-owner John Mara officially announced the news on Tuesday and noted that six others will be joining Marshall. They include Ottis Anderson, Joe Morris, Rodney Hampton, Jimmy Patton, Kyle Rote and Ronnie Barnes.

“We are proud to add these deserving and legendary figures in Giants history to our Ring of Honor,” Mara said. “Each of the players was among the very best at his position to wear a Giants uniform. All of them helped our franchise win championships and enjoy long-term success, as has Ronnie Barnes, who has been an invaluable and beloved member of our organization for decades.”

The induction ceremony will be held at halftime of a Week 3 game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on Monday, September 26.

Marshall was a second-round pick of the Giants in 1983 NFL draft and spent 10 seasons with the team, winning two Super Bowls. He was also named to the Pro Bowl twice and earned Second-Team All-Pro honors twice.

Anderson joined the Giants via trade from the St. Louis Cardinals in 1986 and spent six-plus seasons with Big Blue. He also earned two Super Bowl rings during that time and was named MVP of Super Bowl XXV.

Hampton was a first-round pick of the Giants in the 1990 NFL draft and spent the entirety of his eight-year career with the G-Men. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and picked up a championship ring with the club as a rookie.

The Giants selected Morris in the second-round of the 1982 NFL draft. The two-time Pro Bowler spent seven seasons in New York and led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 1985. He was also a key part of the Super Bowl XXI team.

Patton was an eighth-round pick of the Giants in the 1955 NFL draft and spent his entire 12-year career with the team. He was a five-time First-Team All-Pro, one-time Second-Team All-Pro and earned five Pro Bowl honors. He helped lead the Giants to an NFL championship in 1956 and lead the league in interceptions in 1958.

Patton passed away in 1972 at the age of 39.

Rote was a first-round pick of the Giants in the 1951 NFL draft and he spent all 11 years of his career with the club. He earned two Second-Team All-Pro honors and was named to the Pro Bowl on four separate occasions. Like Patton, he helped lead the team to an NFL title in 1956.

Rote passes away in 2002 at the age of 73.

Barnes was hired by the Giants as an assistant athletic trainer in 1976. He was promoted to athletic trainer in 1980 and just one year later, became the first-ever full-time Black head athletic trainer in NFL history. He has been with the Giants for all four of their Super Bowls and was inducted into both the ECU Athletics Hall of Fame and the National Athletics Trainers Association Hall of Fame.

In 2019, Barnes was given a lifetime achievement award.

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Current, former Giants react to passing of Dan Reeves

Current and former members of the New York Giants react to the passing of Dan Reeves with condolences and many positive memories.

The NFL world received tragic news on Saturday with word that legendary head coach Dan Reeves had passed away at the age of 77.

Reeves was hired by the New York Giants prior to the 1993 season and led the team to an 11-5 record, which remains the best-ever record for a first-year head coach in franchise history. It also won him the AP Coach of the Year Award.

In 1994, Reeve’s Giants finished at 9-7. They continued to slide in 1995 and 1996, finishing with records of 5-11 and 6-10, respectively.

Here is how current and former Giants reacted to the news and paid tribute to Reeves.

1991: The greatest season in Washington Football history, Week 9

We could use some good news. Ivan has the latest in his series, looking back at Week 9 of the 1991 season — the greatest season in Washington’s franchise history.

This 2021 NFL season reminds us that 30 years ago Washington assembled its greatest team in franchise history, going 14-2 and racing through the playoffs to the Super Bowl XXVI championship and Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Week 9—Washington 17, NY Giants 13— October 27, 1991

Washington overcame a 13-point halftime deficit, coming back to defeat the NY Giants 17-13, before a Sunday night national TV audience and a sold-out Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Coming into the game undefeated (7-0) Washington was dominated in the first half by the Giants, who limited the Redskins to 26 passing yards and 9 rushing yards in only 16 offensive snaps. On the other hand, the Giants in 36 offensive snaps, had gained 119 passing yards and 88 rushing.

Adding salt to the wound was Gary Clark dropping what should have been a touchdown pass from QB Mark Rypien, permitting the Giants to keep their 13-0 lead at the half.

Rypien came back to Clark on a quick in-pattern, from seven yards out in the third quarter, reducing the Giants’ lead to 13-7.

The duo connected again in the final quarter, Rypien rolling out to his left, then looking across the field to his right and throwing deep, to Clark who had gotten behind the defense for a 54-yard touchdown pass, providing Washington their first lead 14-13.

Chip Lohmiller added a 35-yard field goal, and the Washington defense shut out the Giants in the second half, pushing Washington’s record to 8-0.

Rypien finished his night completing 12 of 25 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns. Earnest Byner limited, playing through an injury gained only 11 yards in 10 carries. However, Ricky Ervins’ 82 rushing yards on 20 carries led Washington.

“The Posse” of Art Monk, Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders each collected three receptions on the night. Clark led in receiving yardage with 70 yards, Monk supplied 42 yards and Sanders 33.

Rodney Hampton led the Giants’ rushing attack with 83 yards in his 21 rushing attempts. Hampton enjoyed a very busy night, also leading Giant receivers with six receptions (39 yards), while Stephen Baker’s three receptions produced 77 yards.

Wilber Marshall intercepted a Jeff Hostetler pass, as the defending Super Bowl champion Giants fell to 4-4 for 1991.

Here is the second half of that game.