Feb 6th, 2010 | 5:55 pm |
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- Wide receiver Jerry Rice of the San Francisco 49ers runs down the field during a game against the Los Angeles Raiders at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. Oct 13, 1988
The 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame class was announced Saturday in Miami, headlined by former San Franscico 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice. In total the Hall Fame now has seven new members.
Joining Rice are, Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith, Minnesota Vikings’ John Randle, former New Orleans Saint Rickey Jackson, former Detroit Lions cornerback Dick LeBeau, former Redskins guard Russ Grimm and former Denver running back Floyd Little.
The class was elected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee who met Saturday in Miami. The seven made the cut from a list of 17 finalists who had been determined earlier by the committee.
LeBeau and Little were voted in by the veterans committee. While, Charles Haley, Roger Craig, Cris Carter, Don Coryell and Tim Brown were among notables not selected.
Grimm was a steadying force of the Washington Redskins’ offensive line known as “The Hogs.” The standout guard earned All-NFL acclaim and Pro Bowl trips four consecutive seasons.
Jackson helped turn the Saints from perennial losers to a playoff contender and becomes the first long-time player from the team to be elected to the Hall of Fame. He was named first-team All-NFL four times in his career.
LeBeau, was originally drafted by the Cleveland Browns but cut, joined the Lions shortly thereafter. He went on to enjoy a 14-year career that saw him intercept 62 passes. That total currently ranks third all-time among cornerbacks.
Little, the first 1,000-yard rusher in Denver Broncos history, was a versatile star who amassed more than 12,000 all-purpose yards on rushing, receiving, punt returns, and kickoff returns during his nine-season career.
Randle, a seven-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro pick, amassed 137.5 sacks during his career with the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks. A member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s, he played in 219 career games.
Rice played an amazing 20 seasons and owns virtually every major receiving record. In all, he caught 1,549 passes for 22,895 yards and scored a total of 208 touchdowns.
Smith is the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards and scored a record 164 rushing touchdowns. He won four NFL rushing titles and gained 1,000 yards in a record 11 straight seasons.
The Enshrinement of the Class of 2010 will take place at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, on Saturday, August 7, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
