3 Broncos Named Pro Football Hall Of Fame Class Of 2016 Finalists
DENVER (CBS4/The Sports Xchange) - Three Broncos have been named finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Steve Atwater, Terrell Davis and John Lynch are among 15 modern-era finalists who will be considered for election to the Hall when the selection committee meets in San Francisco on the day before Super Bowl 50 to elect the Class of 2016.
It's the second time Davis has made the final 15. His credentials include a league Most Valuable Player award, a Super Bowl MVP award and a 2,000 rushing yard season (2,008 in 1998).
"I just can't help but smile," Davis said on Thursday. "It feels like it's one step closer to obviously eventually being enshrined. There is still a long way to go. There are a lot of great players out there. ... It's just a list of a lot of talented players. I have to just remember that making it to this point is an accomplishment in its own right. I just want to cherish this moment."
Davis's NFL career was cut short by injuries, and some use that as an argument against his candidacy.
"If you looked at what I was asked to do and if you take whatever the time I played, there was nothing that I didn't accomplish," Davis said. "You could say I played for seven years, eight years, and you can measure it up against somebody who played 15 years, but I would say that during that time that I played that I know I left it all on the field. I played as hard as I could play."
Safety has long been an overlooked position among Hall of Fame voters, and Broncos fans have reason to hope that changes this year.
Atwater and Lynch both were hard-hitting safeties who put fear in opposing receivers.
"I've never gotten this far before," Atwater said on Thursday. "I think the Broncos are the best organization in football. Of course, I'm a little biased, but I've had a great experience right from the start up until this very day. It's been one of the greatest parts of my life being affiliated with the Denver Broncos."
"I'm just extremely privileged," Lynch said. "You'd hope that the more times that you keep banging on the door that, eventually, you bust right through."
There are four Broncos currently in the Hall of Fame: John Elway, Gary Zimmerman, Floyd Little and Shannon Sharpe.
The class of 2016 will be voted on and announced Feb. 6.
The finalists, who were announced Thursday in an NFL Network TV special, were determined by a vote of the Hall's selection committee from a list of 108 nominees that earlier was reduced to 25 semifinalists, during the multi-step, year-long selection process.
The 15 modern-era finalists join three other finalists to comprise 18 finalists under consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2016. Two Senior Finalists were announced in August 2015 by the Seniors Committee that reviews the qualifications of those players whose careers ended more than 25 years ago -- quarterback Ken Stabler and guard Dick Stanfel.
A Contributor Finalist announced in September was selected by the Hall of Fame's Contributor Committee that considers persons who made outstanding contributions to professional football other than players and coaches. The nominee is Edward DeBartolo, Jr., Owner -- 1977-2000 San Francisco 49ers.
Class of 2016 finalists (listed alphabetically):
MORTEN ANDERSEN
Kicker ... 6-2, 218 ... Michigan State ... 1982-1994 New Orleans Saints, 1995-2000, 2006-07 Atlanta Falcons, 2001 New York Giants, 2002-03 Kansas City Chiefs, 2004 Minnesota Vikings ... 25 seasons, 382 games ... Selected by Saints in 4th round (86th player overall) of 1982 draft ... Began career in strike-shortened 1982 season ... Scored more than 90 points in 22 seasons ... Topped 100-point total 14 times in career ... First 100-plus season, 1985, connected on 31 of 35 field goals, 27 extra point conversions, for 120 points, earning first of seven Pro Bowl selections ... Also named All-Pro five times ... After 13 years with Saints and ranking as team's all-time leading scorer, joined the Falcons in 1995 ... Became Falcons career scoring leader ... Spectacular 1995 season, scored a career-high 122 points, including then NFL-record for most 50-yard field goals in season (8) ... Dec. 10, 1995, became first kicker to convert three field goals of 50 yards or longer in single game ... Set NFL records for career points (2,544), most field goals (565), games played (382) ... His 40 field goals of 50-plus yards most in NFL history at retirement ... Named to two NFL All-Decade Teams (1980s and 1990s) ... Converted 565 of 709 field goal attempts, 849 of 859 point-after-attempts ... Led NFL in field goals, 1987 ... Led NFC in scoring, 1992 and topped all conference kickers in most field goals in 1985, 1987, and 1995 ... Born August 19, 1960 in Struer, Denmark.
STEVE ATWATER
Safety ... 6-3, 218 ... Arkansas ... 1989-1998 Denver Broncos, 1999 New York Jets ... 11 seasons, 167 games ... Drafted in first round, 20th overall, in 1989 draft ... Made immediate impact as rookie in 1989 as Denver led NFL in fewest points allowed, recorded AFC's best record and earned a berth in Super Bowl XXIV ... Named to NFL All-Rookie Team ... Noted for hard hitting and devastating tackling ... Broncos leading tackler in 1993 and 1995 ... Recorded multiple interceptions in all but three seasons ... Led Broncos in interceptions three seasons and interception return yardage four times ... Career-high five interceptions, 1991 ... Recorded 24 career picks returned for 408 yards and 1 TD ... Totaled more than 1,000 career tackles ... Registered five career sacks ... Elected to eight Pro Bowls over nine-season span ... Named All-Pro in 1991, 1992; Second-team All-Pro, 1990, 1996 ... All-AFC six times ... Started at free safety in four AFC championship games and three Super Bowls ... Recorded six tackles, one sack and one pass defensed in Super Bowl XXXII to help Broncos to first Super Bowl championship with win over Green Bay Packers ... Contributed four tackles, three assists and two passes defensed against Atlanta Falcons in Denver's Super Bowl XXXIII win ... Named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1990s ... Born October 28, 1966 in Chicago, Illinois.
DON CORYELL
Head Coach ... Washington ... 1973-77 St. Louis Cardinals, 1978-1986 San Diego Chargers ... 14 seasons ... Regular season record 111-83-1 ... Postseason record 3-6 ... Overall record 114-89-1 ... Took over Cardinals team that hadn't won title of any kind since 1948 ... After 4-9-1 inaugural season took team to 10-4 record, playoffs ... "Big Red" won NFC Eastern Divisional title 1974, 1975 ... Named consensus NFL Coach of the Year, 1974 ... Narrowly missed playoffs in 1976 despite finishing 10-4 ... Record of 31-11, 1974-76 marked most successful three-year stretch in franchise's history ... Again inherited a team that hadn't won title in many years when he took over as coach of Chargers four games into 1978 season ... Installed new explosive offense soon labeled "Air Coryell" ... Chargers led NFL in passing six straight seasons, amassed more than 24,000 yards from 1978 to 1983 ... QB Dan Fouts blossomed to become first player in NFL history to record three straight 4,000-yard seasons ... Coryell succeeded in turning Chargers into one of NFL's elite teams ... Captured three AFC Western Division titles (1979-1981) ... Named AFC Coach of the Year in 1979 ... Born October 17, 1924 in Seattle, Washington ... Died July 1, 2010, at age of 85.
TERRELL DAVIS
Running Back ... 5-11, 206 ... Long Beach State, Georgia ... 1995-2001 Denver Broncos ... 7 seasons, 78 games ... Selected by Broncos in the sixth round, (196th player overall) of 1995 NFL Draft ... Made big splash when he earned starting tailback position as rookie ... Despite missing final two games of rookie campaign with hamstring tear, eclipsed 1,000-yard mark and added career-high 49 receptions for 367 yards ... In second year, gained 1,538 yards rushing, named Offensive Player of the Year ... Rushed for 1,750 yards and league-high 15 TDs in 1997 ... In 1998 became fourth runner in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in season (2,008) and led NFL with 21 rushing TDs en route to Denver's second straight Super Bowl title ... Set NFL playoff record seven straight 100-yard performances spanning 1997-98 postseasons ... Earned MVP honors in Super Bowl XXXII after rushing 157 yards, 3 TDs in victory over Packers ... Scored 8 rushing touchdowns in '97 playoff run ... In 1998 playoffs, rushed for franchise postseason-record 199 yards against Dolphins in divisional playoff, 167 yards vs. Jets in the championship and 102 yards in Super Bowl XXXIII victory over Falcons ... Devastating knee injury limited him to just 17 games over his final three seasons ... Three-time All-Pro selection ... Rushed for 7,607 yards, 60 TDs in just 78 career games ... Added additional 1,280 yards on 169 career catches and five TD receptions ... Selected to three Pro Bowls and named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1990s ... Born October 28, 1972 in San Diego California.
EDWARD DeBARTOLO, JR.
Owner ... Notre Dame ... 1977-2000 San Francisco 49ers ... Purchased 49ers in 1977 with vision to create top-notch organization, on and off field ... Known as a "players' owner," led franchise to unprecedented winning during tenure ... In 1979, hired Bill Walsh as team's head coach, drafted quarterback Joe Montana, and created atmosphere conducive to winning ... Fortunes of franchise changed soon thereafter ... In 1981, 49ers finished 13-3 to claim NFC Western Division title and won hard fought playoff battles with New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys and capped the year with a thrilling 26-21 victory over Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XVI ... DeBartolo infused team roster with talent that resulted in San Francisco enjoying amazing string of winning seasons ... Team averaged 13 wins per season, including playoffs, during a span from 1981 to 1998 (not including strike-shortened 1982 season). During DeBartolo's ownership team claimed 13 division titles, made 16 playoff appearances, advanced to NFC championship game 10 times, and was first franchise ever to win five Super Bowls (XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV, XXIX) ... Franchise posted the best winning percentage in NFL in both the decades of the 1980s and 1990s ... Was named NFL Man of the Year by Football News, 1989 as the nation's top sports executive ... DeBartolo was also highly respected inside NFL circles and served on league's realignment and expansion committees ... Born November 6, 1946 in Youngstown, Ohio.
TONY DUNGY
Head Coach ... Minnesota ... 1996-2001 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2002-08 Indianapolis Colts ... 13 seasons ... Assistant coach with Pittsburgh Steelers (1981-88), Kansas City Chiefs (1989-1991), and Minnesota Vikings (1992-95) ... Took over Bucs team in 1996 that had suffered 12 double-digit loss seasons in previous 13 years ... By second season, team finished 10-6 and earned playoff berth ... Two seasons later, in 1999, Bucs posted 11-5 record and clinched franchise's first divisional title since 1981 ... After six seasons in Tampa Bay, that included four trips to the playoffs, Dungy was relieved of his duties, eight days after dismissal was hired by Indianapolis ... During Dungy's seven years as Indy's head coach, Colts posted 12 or more wins in every season except his first when they finished 10-6 ... Indianapolis claimed five divisional titles, advanced to the playoffs every year of Dungy's tenure ... Guided Colts to AFC South Division title (2006) and capped season with win over New England Patriots in AFC championship game and victory over Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI ... First African American head coach ever to win a Super Bowl ... Overall record as head coach, 148-79-0 ... Posted .668 winning percentage in the regular season (139-69-0) ... Born October 6, 1955 in Jackson, Michigan.
ALAN FANECA
Guard ... 6-4, 322 ... Louisiana State ... 1998-2007 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2008-09 New York Jets, 2010 Arizona Cardinals ... 13 seasons, 206 games ... Drafted by Steelers in first round, 26th player overall, in 1998 draft ... Missed just one game in career ... Earned starting role in sixth game of rookie season ... Helped pave way for 1,000-yard rushing season by Jerome Bettis to earn All-Rookie acclaim ... Key leader of Steelers team that captured four division titles including three in four-year span ... Helped Steelers post 10-plus wins five times including regular season records of 13-3 (2001) and 15-1 (2004) ... Veteran leadership integral to Jets playoff run to reach AFC championship, 2009 ... Named first-team All-Pro six times (2001-02, 2004-07); Second-Team All-Pro, 2003 and 2008 ... All-AFC seven straight seasons, 2001-07 ... Selected to nine straight Pro Bowls ... Started 14 career playoff games including at left guard in four AFC championship games and Super Bowl XL ... Dominating run blocker, led way for teams that finished among the NFL's top 10 in rushing 11 times in 13 seasons ... Blocked for nine 1,000-yard rushers and five 3,000-yard passers ... Named to NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2000s ... Born December 7, 1976 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
BRETT FAVRE
Quarterback ... 6-2, 225 ... Southern Mississippi ... 1991 Atlanta Falcons, 1992-2007 Green Bay Packers, 2008 New York Jets, 2009-2010 Minnesota Vikings ... 20 seasons, 302 games ... Drafted in second round of 1991 draft by Falcons ... Traded to Green Bay following rookie season in which he had four pass attempts ... Instantly became free-wheeling passer with Packers and threw more than 500 passes in 16 of the next 18 seasons ... Threw for 3,000 yards in all but his first and last season ... Recorded 4,000-yard season six times ... Retired as the NFL's all-time leading passer with 6,300 completions, 10,169 attempts, 71,838 yards and 508 TDs ... Threw four or more TD passes in a then-record 23 games ... Established playoff records for attempts (791), completions (481), yards (5,855) and consecutive games with a TD pass (20) ... records ... Led NFL in TD passes four times including three straight seasons (1995-97) ... First-team All-Pro three straight seasons; Second-team All-Pro twice ... All-NFC six times ... Selected to 11 Pro Bowls ... Named NFL's Most Valuable Player three consecutive times, 1995-97 ... Started in five NFC championship games ... Threw pair of TD passes, added rushing TD to lead Packers to Super Bowl XXXI victory ... Member of NFL's All-Decade Team of 1990s ... Born October 10, 1969 in Gulfport, Mississippi.
KEVIN GREENE
Linebacker/Defensive End ... 6-3, 247 ... Auburn ... 1985-1992 Los Angeles Rams, 1993-95 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1996, 1998-99 Carolina Panthers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers ... 15 seasons, 228 games ... Selected by Rams in 5th round (113th player overall) of 1985 draft ... Played primarily on special teams as rookie, only season he didn't register a sack ... Did not have any starts in second season, but played in all 16 games and managed seven sacks ... Added 6.5 sacks in 1987 and by fourth season was bona fide pass rusher for Rams, registering career-high 16.5 sacks, including career-best 4.5 sacks in win over 49ers in season finale that clinched playoff spot for Rams ... Following year matched his 16.5 sacks total ... Had double-digit sack totals 10 times, second in record book at the time ... Only time missed recording 10 sacks in any of last eight seasons was 1995 when he had team-leading nine sacks for Steelers ... Named to Pro Bowl five times (once with the Rams, twice with Steelers and Panthers) ... Selected first-team All-Pro, 1989 with Rams, 1994 with Pittsburgh and 1996 with Carolina... Captured league sack title twice, 1994 and 1996 ... A member of NFL's All-Decade Team of 1990s ... Played in six conference championship games and one Super Bowl ... Led team in sacks 11 times and amassed 160 total sacks, third all-time at time of retirement ... Also had three safeties, 26 opponent fumble recoveries, and five interceptions ... Born July 31, 1962 in New York, New York.
MARVIN HARRISON
Wide Receiver ... 6-0, 181 ... Syracuse ... 1996-2008 Indianapolis Colts ... 13 seasons, 190 games ... Selected in 1st round (19th player overall) in 1996 ... Colts obtained pick in trade with Falcons in exchange for QB Jeff George ... Earned All-Rookie honors and led the Colts in receptions (64), receiving yards (836) and total touchdowns (8) ... Had three-TD game against the Chiefs as a rookie ... Matched that three-touchdown effort eight more times during career ... Breakout season in 1999 ... Teamed with QB Peyton Manning, he racked up 115 receptions for league-leading 1,663 yards and 12 TDs ... Had remarkable string of eight straight years with 1,000-plus yards receiving, 10 or more touchdowns ... Best season may have been 2002 when he shattered NFL single-season record for receptions (143) and had career-high 1,722 yards and 11 TDs ... In 2004 tied career-high for touchdowns in season with 15 (he set the mark in 2001) ... Major factor in Colts' march to Super Bowl XLI where team defeated Chicago Bears 29-17 ... Member of NFL's All-Decade Team of 2000s, retired following 2008 season with 1,102 career receptions, 14,580 yards and 128 touchdowns ... Eight-time Pro Bowl selection ... Finished second to Jerry Rice in league annals in career receptions, most consecutive games with a reception (190) and most career 100-yard games (59) ... Yardage total ranked him fourth all-time and career TDs (128) ninth on all-time list at time of his retirement ... A six-time All-Pro, eight-time All-AFC selection ... Born August 25, 1972 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
JOE JACOBY
Tackle ... 6-7, 305 ... Louisville ... 1981-1993 Washington Redskins ... 13 seasons, 170 games ... Signed by Washington as free agent, 1981 ... Played numerous positions on offensive line in career but made mark at left tackle, a spot he earned midway through rookie season ... Solid, durable, strong, and reliable as pass and run blocker ... Persevered through numerous injuries during career ... Key member of famed "Hogs" offensive line that led Redskins to three Super Bowl victories (Super Bowl XVII vs. Dolphins, Super Bowl XXII vs. Broncos, Super Bowl XXVI vs. Bills) ... Lone career touchdown came on fumble recovery ... Named First-Team All-Pro three times (1983-84, 1987); All-NFC twice (1983-84); Second-Team All-NFC (1985-86) ... Voted to four straight Pro Bowls following 1983-86 seasons ... Helped Redskins advance to postseason eight times in 11-season span ... Leader of team that recorded double-digit win totals eight times in nine-season span and won four NFC East division titles plus NFC regular season title during strike-shortened 1982 season ... Started in five NFC championship games (four at left tackle, one at right tackle) including four conference championship wins ... Washington's starting left tackle in three Super Bowls and starting right tackle in one Super Bowl ... Member of the NFL's All-Decade Teams of 1980s ... Born July 6, 1959 in Louisville, Kentucky.
EDGERRIN JAMES
Running Back ... 6-0, 219 ... Miami (Fla.) ... 1999-2005 Indianapolis Colts, 2006-08 Arizona Cardinals, 2009 Seattle Seahawks ... 11 seasons, 148 games ... Drafted in the first round, 4th overall, of the 1999 NFL Draft by Colts ... Powerful running style and versatility led to spectacular start of career ... NFL's Rookie of the Year, 1999 ... Captured NFL rushing titles first two seasons (1,553 yards in 1999 and career-best 1,709 yards in 2000) and scored 13 rushing TDs in each season ... Also caught 62 passes and 4 TDs as rookie and career-high 63 receptions and 5 TDs in second season ... Key player in Colts offense that resulted in four division titles and six seasons with 10 or more wins ... Won fifth division title with 2008 Cardinals ... Started in two conference championship games (one with Indianapolis and one with Arizona) and Super Bowl XLIII ... Eclipsed 1,000 yards in a season seven times; topped 1,500 four times ... Career total: 12,246 yards on 3,028 carries and 80 TDs ... Added 433 career catches for 3,364 yards and 11 TDs ... All-Pro three times (1999-2000 and 2004) ... All-AFC four times (1999-2000, 2004-05) ... Voted to four Pro Bowls ... Selected to NFL's All-Decade Team of 2000s ... Born August 1, 1978 in Immokalee, Florida.
JOHN LYNCH
Safety ... 6-2, 214 ... Stanford ... 1993-2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004-07 Denver Broncos ... 15 seasons, 224 games ... Selected by Bucs in the 3rd round (82nd player overall) of 1993 draft ... Was vital addition to Bucs defense that soon dominated NFL ... Earned permanent starting role in fourth pro season, racked up more than 100 tackles and tied career-high with three interceptions ... From that point forward, was anchor of secondary on a defense that perennially ranked among NFL's best ... Voted to first of nine Pro Bowl following 1997 season ... Earned first-team All-Pro recognition three straight years (1999-2001) ... In 2002, was integral part of Buccaneers' championship season capped with franchise's first Super Bowl title ... Contributed 96 tackles (50 solo), three interceptions, and 12 passes defensed as Bucs finished 12-4 ... In postseason added five tackles in divisional playoff, six tackles in championship game and one tackle and pass defensed in Super Bowl XXXVII victory ... Signed as free agent with Denver in 2004 ... Played final four seasons of 15-year career in Denver ... Helped lead Broncos to conference championship game in second season ... That year recorded career-high four sacks, intercepted two passes, forced four fumbles, and racked up 69 tackles ... Added three solo tackles, one assist, one pass defensed in 1995 AFC Championship Game ... In all, recorded 26 interceptions, returned for 204 yards, 13 sacks, and more than 1,000 tackles ... Credited with 90 or more tackles in a season nine times ... Born September 25, 1971 in Hinsdale, Illinois.
TERRELL OWENS
Wide Receiver ... 6-3, 224 ... Tennessee-Chattanooga ... 1996-2003 San Francisco 49ers, 2004-05 Philadelphia Eagles, 2006-08 Dallas Cowboys, 2009 Buffalo Bills, 2010 Cincinnati Bengals ... 16 seasons, 219 games ... Drafted in 3rd round of 1996 draft by San Francisco ... Prolific receiver with great hands and ability for big plays ... Career totals: 1,078 catches for 15,934 yards, 14.8 yards per catch and 153 TDs ... Yardage total ranks second all-time, touchdown reception total is third most in NFL history ... Set then-record for catches in a single game with 20 against Bears, Dec. 17, 2000 ... Had 60 or more catches in all but three seasons ... Registered nine 1,000-yards seasons over 11-year span ... Eight seasons with double-digit TD receptions ... Led NFL in TD catches three times (16 in 2001, 13 in 2002 and 2006) ... Remarkable three-year span (2000-02) during which he caught 290 passes for 4,163 yards and 42 TDs ... Set career-high with 1,451 yards, 2000 and 100 catches, 2002 ... Recorded 9 receptions for 122 yards in Eagles' narrow Super Bowl XXXIX loss ... Named All-Pro five times (2000-02, 2004, 2007) ... All-NFC four times ... Selected to six Pro Bowls ... Named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of 2000s ... Born December 7, 1973 in Alexander City, Alabama.
ORLANDO PACE
Tackle ... 6-7, 320 ... Ohio State ...1997-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Chicago Bears ... 13 seasons, 169 games ... Selected by St. Louis in the first round (first player overall) of 1997 NFL Draft ... Passed up senior year at Ohio State to enter NFL Draft ... First offensive lineman selected first overall since 1968 ... A mainstay on the Rams offensive line ... Started all 16 games seven times during his 13-season career ... Started 165 of 169 games played ... Blocked for three straight NFL MVPs (QB Kurt Warner, 1999, 2001 and RB Marshall Faulk in 2000) ... Anchored Rams offensive line that threw for more gross yards than any other team during his 12 seasons with team (50,770 in 12 seasons) ... Rams' offenses threw for more than 3,000 yards in each of his 12 seasons with team ... Seven times a Rams QB eclipsed the 3,000-yard passing mark, including three surpassing 4,000-yards under his protection ... Also blocked for seven 1,000-yard rushers ... A seven-time Pro Bowl selection 2000-06) ... A five-time All-Pro selection (1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004) ... In 2001, capped off regular season Pro Bowl play by leading team to Super Bowl appearance ... In 2000 anchored offensive line that helped offense produce most passing yards in NFL history ... Born November 4, 1975 in Sandusky, Ohio.
KEN STABLER
Quarterback ... 6-3, 215 ... Alabama ... 1970-79 Oakland Raiders, 1980-81 Houston Oilers, 1982-84 New Orleans Saints ... 15 seasons, 184 games ... Left-handed passer known for his exciting and flamboyant style ... Drafted in 2nd round of the 1968 draft by Raiders ... Joined team in 1970 and guided Oakland to winning records in each of his 9 seasons as a starter including five straight division crowns ... Traded to Houston and led Oilers to 11-5 mark, 1980 ... Compiled impressive .661 winning percentage ... Totaled 27,938 yards and 194 touchdowns ... Career completion percentage (59.85) ranked second all-time at retirement ... Led Raiders to AFC title game each season from 1973-77 ... Only quarterback since AFL-NFL merger to lead team to five consecutive conference championships ... Registered league-leading and career-best 103.4 passer rating, 1976 ... Guided Raiders to victory over Steelers in '76 AFC Championship Game and then win over Vikings in Super Bowl XI ... Twice led NFL in TD passes (1974 and 1976) ... All-Pro and NFL's MVP, 1974 and 1976 ... All-AFC three times (1973-74, 1976) ... Voted to four Pro Bowls ... Named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1970s ... Born on December 25, 1945 in Foley, Alabama ... Died July 8, 2015 at age of 69.
DICK STANFEL
Guard ... 6-3, 236 ... San Francisco ... 1952-55 Detroit Lions, 1956-58 Washington Redskins ... Seven seasons, 73 games ... Selected by Detroit in 2nd round (19th player overall) of 1951 draft ... Anchor of dominant Lions team of that era ... Suffered knee injury while preparing to play in the College All-Star game before joining the Lions ... Injury sidelined him for entire 1951 season ... Took the field following year, quickly established himself as team leader ... Lions advanced to the NFL championship game in first three seasons Stanfel played ... Won back-to-back world titles 1952-53 ... Teammates recognized his outstanding play, naming him team's Most Valuable Player in 1953 championship season ... An honor rarely bestowed to an offensive lineman ... After four seasons in Detroit, was traded to Washington Redskins as part of blockbuster four-team deal ... In Washington, was reunited with college coach and mentor Joe Kuharich ... Played three seasons in Washington and continued to be regarded among NFL's elite players ... While still at the top of game, retired at age 31 to pursue coaching career ... Followed Kuharich to Notre Dame as an assistant coach before embarking on lengthy NFL coaching career ... Earned first-team All-Pro honors in five of seven seasons including all three years with the Redskins ... Voted to four Pro Bowls ... Named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of 1950s ... Born July 20, 1927 in San Francisco, California ... Died June 22, 2015, at the age of 87.
KURT WARNER
Quarterback ... 6-2, 220 ... Northern Iowa ... 1998-2003 St. Louis Rams, 2004 New York Giants, 2005-09 Arizona Cardinals ... 12 seasons, 124 games ... Not drafted in the NFL ... Originally signed by and then released by Green Bay Packers in 1994 ... Went on to play in Arena Football League with Iowa Barnstormers (1995-97) ... Returned to NFL with Rams as free agent and allocated to NFL Europe's Amsterdam Admirals ... Returned to Rams in 1998 ... Went on to become a two-time NFL MVP (1999 and 2001) and named Super Bowl XXXIV MVP after leading Rams to victory 23-16 victory over Tennessee Titans ... Set Super Bowl record with 414 passing yards ... He recorded another MVP season two years later when he guided Rams back to the Super Bowl ... His season totals included a league-leading and career-high 4,830 yards and 36 touchdowns to post a 101.4 passer rating ... Warner made a third trek to the Super Bowl in 2008 season when he led Arizona Cardinals to franchise's first division title since 1975 and first-ever Super Bowl appearance ... Only quarterback to throw for 300 or more yards in three Super Bowls ... A four-time Pro Bowl choice, led NFL in average gain per attempt, three times ... Had highest passer rating and led NFL in TD passes twice ... Born June 22, 1971 in Burlington, Iowa.
