Hood Today

The 2010 Hall of Fame honorees were chosen on Feb. 6 to become part of never forgotten history in the NFL. The new Hall of Fame (HOF) class includes 7 players, all of who were exceptional athletes.

The first player who was elected to the HOF is Russ Grimm. The 6'3", 273 pound former Washington Redskins Guard played in the league from 1981 until 1991. In his career, Grimm played for a total of 11 seasons and 140 games. The guard was chosen in the third round of the 1981 NFL Draft out of Pittsburgh. He was the 69th overall selection in the draft. Grimm was originally geared to play the center position, but was switched to left guard during his rookie season in the NFL. Along with left tackle Joe Jacoby, they were considered to be the most dominant offensive line during that time, as they earned the nickname "Hogs." Grimm helped lead the Redskins to Super Bowl XVII. After the 1983 season, Grimm was selected to his first ever Pro Bowl with three more to immediately follow. He also was recognized as an All-Pro from 1983 to 1986. In 1987, Grimm moved to center before suffering a season ending knee surgery five games into the season. Russ Grimm then suffered from knee surgery the following year as well. Despite those injuries, Grimm went on to play in four Super Bowls, and came out victorious in three.

The second player that was elected as a Hall of Famer in the NFL this year was Rickey Jackson. Hailing from the University of Pittsburgh, like Grimm, he played a total of 15 seasons in the NFL as a premier linebacker. The 6'2", 243 pound linebacker was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft. He was the 51st overall draft pick and lived up to his potential playing in 227 games. Jackson made immediate impact on the Saints in his rookie year, leading the team with franchise rookie record of eight sacks and was the leading tackler that season. He then accomplished 12 sacks in the 1983 season which was the beginning of 6 double digit sack seasons. Jackson earned 6 total trips to the NFL Pro Bowl. During Jackson's final seven years with the Saints, the team never fell below .500 in winning percentage. During 1994 and 1995 seasons, Rickey Jackson played for the 49ers who switched him over to a defensive end position. He then retired after the 1995 season with a total of 128 career sacks and eight interceptions.

The third player that I will focus on is incredible cornerback Dick LeBeau. Out of Ohio State University, the 6'1", 185 pound cornerback played 14 seasons in the NFL, all of which were for the Detroit Lions. LeBeau was drafted in the 5th round of the NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns in 1959. He was then cut from the team during rookie training camp. He was then signed by the Lions who had interest in his abilities, where he earned a starting position in the final six games of his rookie year. LeBeau did not miss another game until the 1971 season; starting 171 consecutive games (an NFL record for cornerbacks). In his career with the Lions, LeBeau recorded a total of 62 interceptions with three of them returned for touchdowns. LeBeau was selected to a total of three Pro Bowls and was recognized on the All NFL second-team in 1964, 1965, 1966, and 1970.

A running back from Syracuse University who goes by the name of Floyd Little was also elected to the 2010 Hall of Fame. Standing at only 5'10" and 196 pounds, the 1967 6th overall draft selection played nine seasons in the AFL with the Denver Broncos. As a rookie, Little played special teams and led the AFL in punt returns, averaging 16.9 yards on 16 returns. He scored his only touchdown on a punt return during that season. He also recorded a career high 35 kick-off returns for a total of 942 yards during that season. In his third year in the AFL, Little led the league and career best of five yards per carry rushing the ball. He then went on the lead the AFC in rushing in 1970. In the following season, Little became the Broncos' first 1,000 yard rusher and won the NFL rushing title during that year. Little was named to 2 AFL All Star Games and 3 NFL Pro Bowls. He was named All AFL/NFL twice and All AFC first or second team four consecutive times. In his career, Little gained a total of 12,000 all purpose yards and 54 touchdowns. Little retired as the 7th ranked rusher of all time.

John Randle, the 6'1", 278 pound defensive tackle was also selected to enter the NFL Hall of Fame. After 14 seasons in the NFL, the undrafted player from the Minnesota Vikings racked up 137.5 sacks throughout his career. Randle played in all 16 games as a rookie in 1990. He had eight consecutive seasons with 10-plus sacks and a ninth season in 2001. He led the league and marked his career best in 1997 with 15.5 sacks and 71 tackles. In 2001, Randle signed with the Seattle Seahawks and created one of the most productive defensive seasons in team history with 11 sacks, four forced fumbles, and a defensive touchdown. He was named first team All Pro/NFC six consecutive times from 1993-1998 and once All AFC team with the Seahawks in 2001. He was elected to play in seven total Pro Bowls in his career as well.

Jerry Rice, a 20 year NFL veteran, was selected to enter the NFL Hall of Fame. The 6'2", 200 pound wide receiver from Mississippi Valley State was selected as the 16th overall draft choice by the San Francisco 49ers in 1985. He averaged 18.9 yards per catch on 49 receptions, 927 total yards, and 3 touchdowns as a rookie in the NFL. In 1986, Rice caught 86 passes for 1,570 yards and led the NFL in touchdown catches with 15. That year marked the first of 11 straight 1,000 yard reception seasons for Rice. In 1987, Rice set the NFL record for touchdown receptions in a season with 22. Jerry Rice led the NFL in receiving yards and touchdowns six times and broke an NFL record of 1,848 yards in 1995. Rice owns receiving marks in receptions (1,549), receiving yards (22,895), most 1,000 yard receiving season (14), total touchdowns (208), combined net yards (23,546), and hold multiple playoff and Super Bowl records. Rice played in eight conference championships and four Super Bowls. He earned 3 Super Bowl rings with 49ers and was named Super Bowl XXIII MVP. Jerry Rice was named first team All Pro 11 consecutive times and voted to 13 Pro Bowls.

Emmitt Smith was drafted 17th overall in 1990 by the Dallas Cowboys and played a total of 15 seasons in the NFL. The 5'9" and 207 pound running back rushed for 937 yards, 11 touchdowns, and earned the rookie of the year award all in his first season in the NFL. In his second season, Smith rushed for 1,563 yards and went on to win the rushing crown in 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1995. He led the NFL in rushing touchdowns three times and gained 277 pass receptions in the same five-year period. In 1995, Smith recorded his career high rushing yardage with 1,773 yards, touchdowns with 25, and receptions with 62. He led the Cowboys to three Super Bowls and was named NFL Most Valuable Player and Super Bowl MVP in 1993. On Oct. 27, 2002, Emmitt Smith passed Walter Payton as the NFL all-time rushing leader. He had a career total of 18,355 rushing yards and 164 rushing touchdowns.

All of these players are elite and belong to this Hall of Fame Class. Congratulations to all seven players. They will all be formally enshrined on August 7, 2010 in Canton, Ohio.

Article Tools