Rain Man
12-09-2010, 04:59 PM
Amnorix's article about the 2010 redraft had an item at the bottom about the Pro Football Researchers Association and their "Hall of Very Good" for good players who probably won't get consideration for the Hall of Fame.
For those of you who are interested, three Chiefs are in the Hall of Very Good: Ed Budde (Class of 2010), Otis Taylor (Class of 2006), and Johnny Robinson (in the presumably inaugural class of 2003, even though it says it started in 2002).
Here you go: http://www.profootballresearchers.org/HOVG.htm
HALL OF VERY GOOD COMMITTEE
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2010
Begun in 2002, the Hall of Very Good seeks to honor outstanding players and coaches who are not in the Hall of Fame and are not likely to ever make it. The PFRA does not promote any of the electees for the Hall of Fame nor does it view the Hall of Very Good as a springboard for the Hall of Fame. We simply recognize that there are many players and coaches who had great careers who deserve to be recognized.
Class of 2010
Robert Brazile
Position: Linebacker
Teams: Houston Oilers 1975-1984
Bio: Utilized great speed as dangerous outside linebacker. AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Played in Pro Bowl in each of his first 7 seasons and never missed a game in 10-year career. Leading force on defense that propelled Oilers to two straight AFC title games.
Ed Budde
Position: Guard
Teams: Kansas City Chiefs 1963-1976
Bio: Played in two Super Bowls including win over Vikings in SB IV. Selected to five AFL All-Star games and two Pro Bowls. Chiefs led league in rushing yards three times and yards per carry twice during his career. Played in every game from 1963 to 1973.
Don Coryell
Position: Head Coach
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals 1972-1977, San Diego Chargers 1978-1986
Bio: Innovator who introduced pass-heavy offense known as Air Coryell. Cardinals finished in 1st place in ’74 and ’75 after 26-year drought. Guided Chargers to first division titles in 14 years in ’79, ’80 and ’81. San Diego led NFL in passing yards six straight seasons.
Ox Emerson
Position: Guard, Center, Linebacker
Teams: Portsmouth Spartans 1931-1933, Detroit Lions 1934-1937, Brooklyn Dodgers 1938
Bio: Two-way mainstay on Lions 1935 NFL champs. His blocking was big reason Detroit had NFL’s best ground game during his career. All-pro six straight years. Defensive standout in 1934 when Lions allowed only 59 points in 13 games and registered 7 straight shutouts.
Chuck Foreman
Position: Running Back
Teams: Minnesota Vikings 1973-1979, New England Patriots 1980
Bio: Consensus Rookie of the Year in 1973. Earned all-NFC honors in 1974, 1975 and 1976. NFC Player of the Year in ‘75 and NFC Offensive Player of the Year in ’76. Vikings made it to playoffs six times and to three Super Bowls in his seven years with team.
Bob Gain
Position: Tackle, Middle Guard, End
Teams: Cleveland Browns 1952, 1954-1964
Bio: Standout defender at tackle, end and middle guard. Cleveland led NFL in many defensive categories in his 12 years. Earned five Pro Bowl berths and spot on many all-pro teams. Browns won two thirds of their games and three championships during his career.
Riley Matheson
Position: Guard, Linebacker
Teams: Cleveland Rams 1939-1942, Detroit Lions 1943, Cleveland Rams 1944-1945, Los Angeles Rams 1946-1947, San Francisco 49ers 1948
Bio: Earned all-pro honors at both guard and linebacker in two leagues. His outstanding line play was one of keys to Rams’ 1945 NFL championship. Consensus all-pro 4 straight seasons in 1944-47. Joined the AAFC 49ers in 1948 and helped them to 12-2 record.
Jimmy Patton
Position: Defensive Back
Teams: New York Giants 1955-1966
Bio: Important cog on Giant defenses that led team to six conference titles. Had 52 career interceptions and led NFL with 11 in ’58. Consensus first team all-pro in five consecutive seasons including unanimous three times. Also named to Pro Bowl in those five seasons.
Drew Pearson
Position: Wide Receiver
Teams: Dallas Cowboys 1973-1983
Bio: Led the NFL in receiving yards in 1977. Cowboys played in three Super Bowls and made playoffs 10 times in his 11 seasons. Missed only 3 games in career that was cut short by serious car accident. Named to three Pro Bowls and was consensus 1st team all-pro twice.
Ken Riley
Position: Cornerback
Teams: Cincinnati Bengals 1969-1983
Bio: Nearly 30 years after his last game, still ranks fifth all-time with 65 career interceptions. Returned five of those 65 for touchdowns. Finished second in NFL in INT’s three times in his career with highs of 9 in ’76 and 8 in’83. Missed only eight games in 15 seasons.
Class of 2009
Bruno Banducci
Position: Guard
Teams: Philadelphia Eagles 1944-1945, San Francisco 49ers 1946-1954
Bio: Solid all-around blocker who earned first team all-pro honors twice in AAFC and three times in NFL. Also twice named to combined all-AAFC/NFL. Never played on champion but his teams won two-thirds of their games and finished second eight times. Seven times his team finished first in rushing yards and four times a teammate won rushing title.
Harold Carmichael
Position: Wide Receiver
Teams: Philadelphia Eagles 1971-1983, Dallas Cowboys 1984
Bio: Ranked fifth in career receptions, seventh in receiving yards and seventh in touchdown catches when he retired. Also held record with 127 straight games with a catch. Led NFL in receptions and yards in 1973 when he was first team all-pro. Third in yards in 1978 and fifth in catches in 1974. Unanimous all-NFC in 1978 and 1979.
Blanton Collier
Position: Assistant Coach 1946-53 and 1962, and Head Coach 1963-70
Teams: Cleveland Browns
Bio: Had big impact as all-around assistant as Browns finished first in all eight seasons of his first tenure in Cleveland. Succeeded Paul Brown in 1963 after four playoff-less seasons and guided team to five first-place finishes and 1964 NFL championship. Browns won 69% of their games and never had a losing season in his eight years as head coach.
Boyd Dowler
Position: Wide Receiver
Teams: Green Bay Packers 1959-1969, Washington Redskins 1971
Bio: Leading receiver on Green Bay’s dynasty of the 1960’s who twice was named all-conference. Finished in the top 10 in receptions three times despite playing for a very run-oriented team. Ranked 10th in catches and 12th in receiving yards all-time when he retired. Had huge postseason in 1967 when Packers won Ice Bowl and Super Bowl II.
Claude Humphrey
Position: Defensive End
Teams: Atlanta Falcons 1968-1978, Philadelphia Eagles 1979-1981
Bio: Tall, powerful end who crushed pass pockets and destroyed running plays with great effectiveness. Garnered some first or second team all-pro honors eight times including three seasons where he was a consensus first-teamer. Joined Philadelphia after several serious injuries and helped Eagles to playoffs in each of his last three years.
Ken Kavanaugh
Position: End
Teams: Chicago Bears 1940-1941 and 1945-1950
Bio: Averaged 18.7 yards per catch or better every year he played and led NFL in 1941 at 28.5. Career average of 22.4 is one of best ever. Fifty of his 162 career catches were touchdowns and twice led league in TD receptions. Played in three title games (all Bear victories) and scored TD in all three. Missed three prime seasons to military service.
Verne Lewellen
Position: Halfback
Teams: Green Bay Packers 1924-1927, New York Yankees 1927, Green Bay Packers 1928-1932
Bio: One of best backs of the 1920’s who twice led NFL in TD’s and rushing TD’s. Second team all-pro in 1925 and consensus first-teamer in 1926-29. Few statistics are available from that time but was an outstanding punter in era when advantage in that part of the game frequently meant victory. Packers won three titles in his years in Green Bay.
Walt Sweeney
Position: Guard
Teams: San Diego Chargers 1963-1973, Washington Redskins 1974-1975
Bio: Key component of San Diego’s high-octane offense of the 1960’s. Chargers ranked at top in numerous offensive categories in first part of his career and played in three straight title games, winning once. Named as second team all-league selection three times and first team four times including 1967-69 when he was consensus all-AFL.
Class of 2008
Dick Barwegen
Position: Guard
Teams: New York Yankees 1947, Baltimore Colts 1948-1949, Chicago Bears 1950-1952, Baltimore Colts 1953-1954
Bio: Outstanding guard for four teams in two leagues. Powerful run blocker whose teams were first in rushing yards twice and average gain once. Unanimous all-league choice four straight years. Excellent defender in his early years as two-way player.
Randy Gradishar
Position: Linebacker
Teams: Denver Broncos 1974-1983
Bio: Leader of Denver's Orange Crush defense that won the AFC in 1977. NFL Defensive Player of Year in '78. Never missed a game in 10 seasons. Broncos led NFL in numerous defensive categories in his prime years. 4 TD's and 20 INT's in career.
Bob Hoernschemeyer
Position: Halfback
Teams: Chicago Rockets 1946-1947, Brooklyn Dodgers 1947-1948, Chicago Hornets 1949, Detroit Lions 1950-1955
Bio: Among top rushers in each of his first 8 seasons. Led Detroit in rushing four straight years while Lions were winning two NFL titles. Counting AAFC total, was 4th all-time in rushing when he retired.
Cecil Isbell
Position: Tailback
Teams: Green Bay Packers 1938-1942
Bio: Spectacular passer who led Packers to two Championship Games and one title. Set records for passing yards in 1941 and for completions, TD passes, and yards in '42. Also set marks with 5 TD throws in game and 22 straight games with TD pass.
Buddy Parker
Position: Head Coach
Teams: Chicago Cardinals 1949, Detroit Lions 1951-1956, Pittsburgh Steelers 1957-1964
Bio: Coached Detroit to three title games and two titles, compiling 50-24-2 record. Turned Pittsburgh into contender and ranks 3rd behind Noll and Cowher in wins among Steeler coaches. Also played 9 NFL years including on 1935 Lion title winners.
Spec Sanders
Position: Tailback
Teams: New York Yankees 1946-1948, New York Yanks 1950
Bio: Hard running tailback who established pro records with 1,432 rushing yards and 19 TD's in 1947 when he was AAFC MVP. Led Yankees to two AAFC title games. Set NFL record with 13 interceptions when he switched to defense full time in 1950.
Jim Ray Smith
Position: Guard
Teams: Cleveland Browns 1956-1962, Dallas Cowboys 1963-1964
Bio: One of fastest guards ever who earned all-pro honors in five of the six full seasons he played. Browns led NFL in rushing yards and yards per carry twice each in his years with team. Had memorable game in '59 when he dominated Gene Lipscomb.
Billy Wilson
Position: Wide Receiver
Teams: San Francisco 49ers 1951-1960
Bio: Thrice led NFL in receptions and was in top 7 seven straight years. 4th or better in receiving yards 5 times and also led league in TD catches once. Ranked 2nd all-time to Hutson in receptions and TD catches and 3rd in receiving yards when he retired.
Class of 2007
Frankie Albert
Position: Quarterback
Teams: San Francisco 49ers 1946-1952
Bio: First team all-AAFC/NFL once, second team three times. All-AAFC three times. Tossed 29 TD's in 1948, 27 in '49. Co-MVP in 1948. Lost 4 years to military. Expert bootlegger, ball-handler. 48.2 yard punting average in 1949, 43.0 for career. Great on-the-run punter.
Roger Brown
Position: Defensive Tackle
Teams: Detroit Lions 1960-1966, Los Angeles Rams 1967-1969
Bio: Punishing tackle on great defenses in Detroit and Los Angeles. Starred in 1962 Thanksgiving Day Massacre. Once held all-time record with 3 career safeties. Iron man who never missed a game in 10 year career. 6 Pro Bowls, all-pro twice.
Timmy Brown
Position: Running Back
Teams: Green Bay Packers 1959, Philadelphia Eagles 1960-1967, Baltimore Colts 1968
Bio: Dangerous runner, receiver, and return man. 12,681 all-purpose yards including 4th and 7th best season marks. 64 TD's, 6 on kick returns. Averaged 26.0 on kickoff returns and twice led NFL in yards. Led NFL with 5.4 rushing average in 1965. 3-time Pro Bowler.
Marshall Goldberg
Position: Back
Teams: Chicago Cardinals 1939-1943, 1946-1948
Bio: Part of Cardinals' Dream Backfield. Leader on 1 league and 2 conference champs. Led NFL in interceptions in 1941. Twice led league in kickoff return yards and finished 3rd with 24.2 yard average in '41, 2nd at 26.2 in '42. Missed 2 years in military. All-pro in '47.
Jim Lee Howell
Position: End, Head Coach
Teams: New York Giants 1937-1942, 1946-1947, 1954-1960
Bio: Winning percentage of .648 is best in Giants history of coaches with at least 3 seasons. Led team to 3 conference titles and 1956 championship. Never had a losing record in 7 years. Also won NFL title, 4 conference crowns, and all-pro honors as player.
Glenn Presnell
Position: Back
Teams: Portsmouth Spartans 1931-1933, Detroit Lions 1934-1936
Bio: Outstanding triple threat. Led Ironton Yanks to wins over Giants and Bears in 1930. 1st in scoring, 2nd in passing, 4th in rushing and all-pro in '33. Played on Lions teams that had 7 straight shutouts in '34 and won NFL title in '35. Kicked record 54-yard field goal in '34.
Dick Schafrath
Position: Tackle
Teams: Cleveland Browns 1959-1971
Bio: Helped Browns finish 1st in rushing yards 5 times, yards per carry 6 times including all-time best 5.74 in1963. Known for making multiple blocks on same play. Only missed 2 games in 13 years. All-pro 3 times, 6 Pro Bowls. Team never had losing season in career.
Jake Scott
Position: Defensive Back
Teams: Miami Dolphins 1970-1975, Washington Redskins 1976-1978
Bio: Standout safety on two Super Bowl winners. 49 career interceptions. 2 in SB VII when he was MVP. In NFL Top 10 seven times. Known for playing hurt. Excellent kick returner. 5th in NFL in punt returns in 1970, 3rd in '71, 4th in '73. All-pro 4 times, 5 Pro Bowls.
Ed Sprinkle
Position: Defensive End
Teams: Chicago Bears 1944-1955
Bio: Rugged player on many excellent Bears' teams. One of the first pass rushing defensive ends. Played on Chicago's 1946 champions. Team finished 2nd 7 times in his career. All-pro twice, 2nd team 3 times, 4 Pro Bowls. Nabbed 7 TD passes in spot duty on offense.
Tank Younger
Position: Halfback, Fullback
Teams: Los Angeles Rams 1949-1957, Pittsburgh Steelers 1958
Bio: Mainstay on greatest offense in history. 6.2 yards per rush in 1951, 6.7 in '54, 4.7 for career. Pro Bowler and all-pro mention on both offense and defense. Played in 4 Championship Games. First pro player from historically black college.
See first post for Classes of 2003 through 2006
*Voted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame after induction into the Hall of Very Good.
For those of you who are interested, three Chiefs are in the Hall of Very Good: Ed Budde (Class of 2010), Otis Taylor (Class of 2006), and Johnny Robinson (in the presumably inaugural class of 2003, even though it says it started in 2002).
Here you go: http://www.profootballresearchers.org/HOVG.htm
HALL OF VERY GOOD COMMITTEE
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2010
Begun in 2002, the Hall of Very Good seeks to honor outstanding players and coaches who are not in the Hall of Fame and are not likely to ever make it. The PFRA does not promote any of the electees for the Hall of Fame nor does it view the Hall of Very Good as a springboard for the Hall of Fame. We simply recognize that there are many players and coaches who had great careers who deserve to be recognized.
Class of 2010
Robert Brazile
Position: Linebacker
Teams: Houston Oilers 1975-1984
Bio: Utilized great speed as dangerous outside linebacker. AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Played in Pro Bowl in each of his first 7 seasons and never missed a game in 10-year career. Leading force on defense that propelled Oilers to two straight AFC title games.
Ed Budde
Position: Guard
Teams: Kansas City Chiefs 1963-1976
Bio: Played in two Super Bowls including win over Vikings in SB IV. Selected to five AFL All-Star games and two Pro Bowls. Chiefs led league in rushing yards three times and yards per carry twice during his career. Played in every game from 1963 to 1973.
Don Coryell
Position: Head Coach
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals 1972-1977, San Diego Chargers 1978-1986
Bio: Innovator who introduced pass-heavy offense known as Air Coryell. Cardinals finished in 1st place in ’74 and ’75 after 26-year drought. Guided Chargers to first division titles in 14 years in ’79, ’80 and ’81. San Diego led NFL in passing yards six straight seasons.
Ox Emerson
Position: Guard, Center, Linebacker
Teams: Portsmouth Spartans 1931-1933, Detroit Lions 1934-1937, Brooklyn Dodgers 1938
Bio: Two-way mainstay on Lions 1935 NFL champs. His blocking was big reason Detroit had NFL’s best ground game during his career. All-pro six straight years. Defensive standout in 1934 when Lions allowed only 59 points in 13 games and registered 7 straight shutouts.
Chuck Foreman
Position: Running Back
Teams: Minnesota Vikings 1973-1979, New England Patriots 1980
Bio: Consensus Rookie of the Year in 1973. Earned all-NFC honors in 1974, 1975 and 1976. NFC Player of the Year in ‘75 and NFC Offensive Player of the Year in ’76. Vikings made it to playoffs six times and to three Super Bowls in his seven years with team.
Bob Gain
Position: Tackle, Middle Guard, End
Teams: Cleveland Browns 1952, 1954-1964
Bio: Standout defender at tackle, end and middle guard. Cleveland led NFL in many defensive categories in his 12 years. Earned five Pro Bowl berths and spot on many all-pro teams. Browns won two thirds of their games and three championships during his career.
Riley Matheson
Position: Guard, Linebacker
Teams: Cleveland Rams 1939-1942, Detroit Lions 1943, Cleveland Rams 1944-1945, Los Angeles Rams 1946-1947, San Francisco 49ers 1948
Bio: Earned all-pro honors at both guard and linebacker in two leagues. His outstanding line play was one of keys to Rams’ 1945 NFL championship. Consensus all-pro 4 straight seasons in 1944-47. Joined the AAFC 49ers in 1948 and helped them to 12-2 record.
Jimmy Patton
Position: Defensive Back
Teams: New York Giants 1955-1966
Bio: Important cog on Giant defenses that led team to six conference titles. Had 52 career interceptions and led NFL with 11 in ’58. Consensus first team all-pro in five consecutive seasons including unanimous three times. Also named to Pro Bowl in those five seasons.
Drew Pearson
Position: Wide Receiver
Teams: Dallas Cowboys 1973-1983
Bio: Led the NFL in receiving yards in 1977. Cowboys played in three Super Bowls and made playoffs 10 times in his 11 seasons. Missed only 3 games in career that was cut short by serious car accident. Named to three Pro Bowls and was consensus 1st team all-pro twice.
Ken Riley
Position: Cornerback
Teams: Cincinnati Bengals 1969-1983
Bio: Nearly 30 years after his last game, still ranks fifth all-time with 65 career interceptions. Returned five of those 65 for touchdowns. Finished second in NFL in INT’s three times in his career with highs of 9 in ’76 and 8 in’83. Missed only eight games in 15 seasons.
Class of 2009
Bruno Banducci
Position: Guard
Teams: Philadelphia Eagles 1944-1945, San Francisco 49ers 1946-1954
Bio: Solid all-around blocker who earned first team all-pro honors twice in AAFC and three times in NFL. Also twice named to combined all-AAFC/NFL. Never played on champion but his teams won two-thirds of their games and finished second eight times. Seven times his team finished first in rushing yards and four times a teammate won rushing title.
Harold Carmichael
Position: Wide Receiver
Teams: Philadelphia Eagles 1971-1983, Dallas Cowboys 1984
Bio: Ranked fifth in career receptions, seventh in receiving yards and seventh in touchdown catches when he retired. Also held record with 127 straight games with a catch. Led NFL in receptions and yards in 1973 when he was first team all-pro. Third in yards in 1978 and fifth in catches in 1974. Unanimous all-NFC in 1978 and 1979.
Blanton Collier
Position: Assistant Coach 1946-53 and 1962, and Head Coach 1963-70
Teams: Cleveland Browns
Bio: Had big impact as all-around assistant as Browns finished first in all eight seasons of his first tenure in Cleveland. Succeeded Paul Brown in 1963 after four playoff-less seasons and guided team to five first-place finishes and 1964 NFL championship. Browns won 69% of their games and never had a losing season in his eight years as head coach.
Boyd Dowler
Position: Wide Receiver
Teams: Green Bay Packers 1959-1969, Washington Redskins 1971
Bio: Leading receiver on Green Bay’s dynasty of the 1960’s who twice was named all-conference. Finished in the top 10 in receptions three times despite playing for a very run-oriented team. Ranked 10th in catches and 12th in receiving yards all-time when he retired. Had huge postseason in 1967 when Packers won Ice Bowl and Super Bowl II.
Claude Humphrey
Position: Defensive End
Teams: Atlanta Falcons 1968-1978, Philadelphia Eagles 1979-1981
Bio: Tall, powerful end who crushed pass pockets and destroyed running plays with great effectiveness. Garnered some first or second team all-pro honors eight times including three seasons where he was a consensus first-teamer. Joined Philadelphia after several serious injuries and helped Eagles to playoffs in each of his last three years.
Ken Kavanaugh
Position: End
Teams: Chicago Bears 1940-1941 and 1945-1950
Bio: Averaged 18.7 yards per catch or better every year he played and led NFL in 1941 at 28.5. Career average of 22.4 is one of best ever. Fifty of his 162 career catches were touchdowns and twice led league in TD receptions. Played in three title games (all Bear victories) and scored TD in all three. Missed three prime seasons to military service.
Verne Lewellen
Position: Halfback
Teams: Green Bay Packers 1924-1927, New York Yankees 1927, Green Bay Packers 1928-1932
Bio: One of best backs of the 1920’s who twice led NFL in TD’s and rushing TD’s. Second team all-pro in 1925 and consensus first-teamer in 1926-29. Few statistics are available from that time but was an outstanding punter in era when advantage in that part of the game frequently meant victory. Packers won three titles in his years in Green Bay.
Walt Sweeney
Position: Guard
Teams: San Diego Chargers 1963-1973, Washington Redskins 1974-1975
Bio: Key component of San Diego’s high-octane offense of the 1960’s. Chargers ranked at top in numerous offensive categories in first part of his career and played in three straight title games, winning once. Named as second team all-league selection three times and first team four times including 1967-69 when he was consensus all-AFL.
Class of 2008
Dick Barwegen
Position: Guard
Teams: New York Yankees 1947, Baltimore Colts 1948-1949, Chicago Bears 1950-1952, Baltimore Colts 1953-1954
Bio: Outstanding guard for four teams in two leagues. Powerful run blocker whose teams were first in rushing yards twice and average gain once. Unanimous all-league choice four straight years. Excellent defender in his early years as two-way player.
Randy Gradishar
Position: Linebacker
Teams: Denver Broncos 1974-1983
Bio: Leader of Denver's Orange Crush defense that won the AFC in 1977. NFL Defensive Player of Year in '78. Never missed a game in 10 seasons. Broncos led NFL in numerous defensive categories in his prime years. 4 TD's and 20 INT's in career.
Bob Hoernschemeyer
Position: Halfback
Teams: Chicago Rockets 1946-1947, Brooklyn Dodgers 1947-1948, Chicago Hornets 1949, Detroit Lions 1950-1955
Bio: Among top rushers in each of his first 8 seasons. Led Detroit in rushing four straight years while Lions were winning two NFL titles. Counting AAFC total, was 4th all-time in rushing when he retired.
Cecil Isbell
Position: Tailback
Teams: Green Bay Packers 1938-1942
Bio: Spectacular passer who led Packers to two Championship Games and one title. Set records for passing yards in 1941 and for completions, TD passes, and yards in '42. Also set marks with 5 TD throws in game and 22 straight games with TD pass.
Buddy Parker
Position: Head Coach
Teams: Chicago Cardinals 1949, Detroit Lions 1951-1956, Pittsburgh Steelers 1957-1964
Bio: Coached Detroit to three title games and two titles, compiling 50-24-2 record. Turned Pittsburgh into contender and ranks 3rd behind Noll and Cowher in wins among Steeler coaches. Also played 9 NFL years including on 1935 Lion title winners.
Spec Sanders
Position: Tailback
Teams: New York Yankees 1946-1948, New York Yanks 1950
Bio: Hard running tailback who established pro records with 1,432 rushing yards and 19 TD's in 1947 when he was AAFC MVP. Led Yankees to two AAFC title games. Set NFL record with 13 interceptions when he switched to defense full time in 1950.
Jim Ray Smith
Position: Guard
Teams: Cleveland Browns 1956-1962, Dallas Cowboys 1963-1964
Bio: One of fastest guards ever who earned all-pro honors in five of the six full seasons he played. Browns led NFL in rushing yards and yards per carry twice each in his years with team. Had memorable game in '59 when he dominated Gene Lipscomb.
Billy Wilson
Position: Wide Receiver
Teams: San Francisco 49ers 1951-1960
Bio: Thrice led NFL in receptions and was in top 7 seven straight years. 4th or better in receiving yards 5 times and also led league in TD catches once. Ranked 2nd all-time to Hutson in receptions and TD catches and 3rd in receiving yards when he retired.
Class of 2007
Frankie Albert
Position: Quarterback
Teams: San Francisco 49ers 1946-1952
Bio: First team all-AAFC/NFL once, second team three times. All-AAFC three times. Tossed 29 TD's in 1948, 27 in '49. Co-MVP in 1948. Lost 4 years to military. Expert bootlegger, ball-handler. 48.2 yard punting average in 1949, 43.0 for career. Great on-the-run punter.
Roger Brown
Position: Defensive Tackle
Teams: Detroit Lions 1960-1966, Los Angeles Rams 1967-1969
Bio: Punishing tackle on great defenses in Detroit and Los Angeles. Starred in 1962 Thanksgiving Day Massacre. Once held all-time record with 3 career safeties. Iron man who never missed a game in 10 year career. 6 Pro Bowls, all-pro twice.
Timmy Brown
Position: Running Back
Teams: Green Bay Packers 1959, Philadelphia Eagles 1960-1967, Baltimore Colts 1968
Bio: Dangerous runner, receiver, and return man. 12,681 all-purpose yards including 4th and 7th best season marks. 64 TD's, 6 on kick returns. Averaged 26.0 on kickoff returns and twice led NFL in yards. Led NFL with 5.4 rushing average in 1965. 3-time Pro Bowler.
Marshall Goldberg
Position: Back
Teams: Chicago Cardinals 1939-1943, 1946-1948
Bio: Part of Cardinals' Dream Backfield. Leader on 1 league and 2 conference champs. Led NFL in interceptions in 1941. Twice led league in kickoff return yards and finished 3rd with 24.2 yard average in '41, 2nd at 26.2 in '42. Missed 2 years in military. All-pro in '47.
Jim Lee Howell
Position: End, Head Coach
Teams: New York Giants 1937-1942, 1946-1947, 1954-1960
Bio: Winning percentage of .648 is best in Giants history of coaches with at least 3 seasons. Led team to 3 conference titles and 1956 championship. Never had a losing record in 7 years. Also won NFL title, 4 conference crowns, and all-pro honors as player.
Glenn Presnell
Position: Back
Teams: Portsmouth Spartans 1931-1933, Detroit Lions 1934-1936
Bio: Outstanding triple threat. Led Ironton Yanks to wins over Giants and Bears in 1930. 1st in scoring, 2nd in passing, 4th in rushing and all-pro in '33. Played on Lions teams that had 7 straight shutouts in '34 and won NFL title in '35. Kicked record 54-yard field goal in '34.
Dick Schafrath
Position: Tackle
Teams: Cleveland Browns 1959-1971
Bio: Helped Browns finish 1st in rushing yards 5 times, yards per carry 6 times including all-time best 5.74 in1963. Known for making multiple blocks on same play. Only missed 2 games in 13 years. All-pro 3 times, 6 Pro Bowls. Team never had losing season in career.
Jake Scott
Position: Defensive Back
Teams: Miami Dolphins 1970-1975, Washington Redskins 1976-1978
Bio: Standout safety on two Super Bowl winners. 49 career interceptions. 2 in SB VII when he was MVP. In NFL Top 10 seven times. Known for playing hurt. Excellent kick returner. 5th in NFL in punt returns in 1970, 3rd in '71, 4th in '73. All-pro 4 times, 5 Pro Bowls.
Ed Sprinkle
Position: Defensive End
Teams: Chicago Bears 1944-1955
Bio: Rugged player on many excellent Bears' teams. One of the first pass rushing defensive ends. Played on Chicago's 1946 champions. Team finished 2nd 7 times in his career. All-pro twice, 2nd team 3 times, 4 Pro Bowls. Nabbed 7 TD passes in spot duty on offense.
Tank Younger
Position: Halfback, Fullback
Teams: Los Angeles Rams 1949-1957, Pittsburgh Steelers 1958
Bio: Mainstay on greatest offense in history. 6.2 yards per rush in 1951, 6.7 in '54, 4.7 for career. Pro Bowler and all-pro mention on both offense and defense. Played in 4 Championship Games. First pro player from historically black college.
See first post for Classes of 2003 through 2006
*Voted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame after induction into the Hall of Very Good.