Hall of Fame Capsules

Share this: Email | Facebook | X

A capsule look at the new members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame:

Richard Dent

Defensive End

6-5, 265

1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles. ... 15 seasons, 203 games.

Selected by Chicago in eighth round (203rd overall) of 1983 draft. ... Became full-time starter early in 1984, beginning a 10-year period in which he made 10 or more sacks in eight of 10 seasons. ... An intimidating player, could speed rush or power rush the quarterback. ... Twice had 4 1/2 sacks in a game, both vs. Raiders (1984 and 1987). ... One of game's top pass rushers with 137 1/2 career sacks, which ranked third all-time at his retirement. ... Recorded double-digit sacks eight times, including streak of five consecutive years (1984-1988). ... Led NFC with team record 17 1/2 sacks in 1984. ... In following year, led NFL with 17 sacks as an integral part of Bears' dominating defense. ... Won Super Bowl MVP honors following Bears' 46-10 win over Patriots in 1986. ... Career statistics include eight interceptions (one touchdown), a safety, and fumble recovery for touchdown. ... First- or second-team All-Pro four times, selected to play in four Pro Bowls.

---

Marshall Faulk

Running Back

5-10, 208

1994-98 Indianapolis Colts, 1999-2005 St. Louis Rams. ... 12 seasons, 176 games.

Selected by Colts first round (second player overall) in 1994 draft. ... Rushed for 143 yards, scored three touchdowns in rookie debut. ... Finished season with 1,282 rushing yards and AFC-leading 11 TDs. ... Also caught 52 passes for 522 yards and touchdown. ... Named Rookie of the Year. ... Rushed for 1,000 yards in seven of first eight seasons. ... In 1999 became second in NFL history to eclipse 1,000-yard mark in both rushing and receiving and set then-record for yards from scrimmage (2,429) and was named NFL's Offensive Player of the Year for first of three straight times. ... Named NFL MVP in 2000 after setting single-season record for touchdowns (26) that included league-leading 18 rushing touchdowns. ... Was first of two straight seasons he led NFL in scoring and touchdowns. ... First-team All-Pro 1999, 2000, 2001. ... Second-team All-Pro in 1994, 1995, 1998. ... Voted to seven Pro Bowls. ... All-AFC twice and All-NFC three times in career. ... First player in NFL history to gain 2,000 yards from scrimmage in four straight seasons (1998-2001). ... Retired as NFL's ninth-ranked rusher (12,279 yards). ... Recorded 767 receptions (16th all-time at retirement) for 6,875 yards, 36 touchdowns. ... His 19,154 yards from scrimmage was sixth all-time.

---

Chris Hanburger

Linebacker

6-2, 218

1965-1978 Washington Redskins. ... 14 seasons, 187 games.

Senior nominee. ... Selected by the Redskins in 18th round (245th player overall) in 1965 NFL Draft. ... Made mark as a rookie as big-play maker. ... Was "defensive quarterback" and one of most dependable and steady linebackers of era. ... An integral part of dominant Redskins teams of the 1970s. ... Selected first-team All-NFL four times in five-season span (1972-76). ... Named All-Eastern Conference, 1968 and 1969; All-NFC six times in seven seasons (1970-76). ... Voted to nine Pro Bowls ... Outstanding play in 1972 helped lead the Redskins to first Super Bowl berth. Recorded numerous game-changing plays throughout season as team won NFC East with 11-3 mark. Shared team lead with career-high four interceptions. ... In all, Hanburger recovered three fumbles for touchdowns, an NFL record at time of retirement. ... Also recorded 19 career interceptions for 347 yards and 2 TDs.

---

Les Richter

Linebacker

6-3, 238

1954-1962 Los Angeles Rams. ... Nine seasons, 112 games.

Senior nominee. ... Selected by New York Yanks in first round (second player overall) of 1952 draft. ... Yanks folded two days after NFL Draft. ... Team assets, including signing rights to Richter, were granted to expansion Dallas Texans. ... Los Angeles Rams dealt 11 players to Texans to obtain Richter ... Rams waited two years while Richter served in military. ... Upon return signed with Rams and embarked on nine-season career that earned him reputation as one of the best linebackers of his era. ... Known for rugged, punishing style of play. ... Was selected to eight straight Pro Bowls, missing only final season in 1962. ... Also named a first- or second-team All-NFL each season during a six-year span, 1955-1960. ... Also saw some time at center and handled Rams place-kicking duties early in career. ... Received much attention in 1955 for his play on defense as well as clutch place-kicking that helped Rams to 8-3-1 record and NFL Western Division crown and berth in championship game. ... Led Rams in scoring, 1955 and 1956. ... In all, totaled 193 points off of 29 field goals and 106 extra points during career. ... Recorded 16 career interceptions for 206 yards. ... Twice had four picks in a season (1957 and 1961) and was Rams leading interceptor in 1957. ... Never missed a game during 112-game career.

---

Ed Sabol

Founder/President/Chairman NFL Films. 1964-1995.

Man behind idea of NFL Films. ... Aspiring filmmaker, who at age 45 hatched idea of forming Blair Productions, a film company named after daughter. ... In 1962 contacted NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle with offer to double $1,500 bid for rights to film 1962 NFL Championship Game. ... Rozelle accepted and Sabol's film company was off and rolling. ... From start, incorporated unique creative angles inspired by his background in drama society at Ohio State and brief stint on Broadway. ... Rather than single camera located high in stadium, Sabol added sideline camera to catch intensity of players. ... Blair Productions continued to shoot NFL action for next two years before Sabol convinced NFL it needed own motion picture company. ... With that, NFL Films was born. ... Served as President until 1985 when he turned over role to son Steve. ... Senior Sabol continued to serve as Chairman through his retirement in 1995. ... During tenure, NFL Films won 52 Emmy Awards. ... With Ed Sabols vision, NFL Films revolutionized manner in which sports are presented. ... Firsts in film include use of microphone on coaches, referees and players; use of reverse-angle replay; adding popular music to footage; and popular bloopers videos. ... Began producing weekly NFL highlight shows in the late 1960s, introduced first sports home video in 1980.

---

Deion Sanders

Cornerback/Kick Returner/Punt Returner

6-1, 195

1989-1993 Atlanta Falcons, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1995-99 Dallas Cowboys, 2000 Washington Redskins, 2004-05 Baltimore Ravens. ... 14 seasons, 188 games.

Selected by Atlanta in first round (fifth player overall) of 1989 draft. ... Returned punt 68 yards for touchdown in NFL debut. ... Scored total of six touchdowns on punt returns, three TDs on kickoff returns, and returned nine interceptions for scores during career. ... Multifaceted athlete returned one fumble for TD and had 60 receptions for 784 yards and 3 TDs. ... In all, recorded 53 career interceptions including five with Ravens when he returned to field after three-year retirement. ... Member of NFL's All-Decade Team of 1990s as both cornerback, punt returner. ... Led NFL in punt returns, 1998, with 15.6 average. ... Led NFC in kickoffs in 1992 and interceptions in 1991, 1993. ... Named first-team All-Pro nine times at cornerback along with receiving All-Pro as kick returner in 1992 and punt returner 1998. ... Elected to eight Pro Bowls. ... Retired second all-time in interception return yardage (1,331), tied for second for most interceptions returned for touchdown in a career (9) and a season (3). ... His 303 yards gained on interception returns in 1994, third best in NFL at retirement. ... In 1994 became first player to have two 90-yard interception returns for touchdowns in same season. ... Named NFL's Defensive Player of the Year, 1994.

---

Shannon Sharpe

Tight End

6-2, 230

1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos, 2000-01 Baltimore Ravens. 14 seasons, 204 games.

Selected by Denver in the seventh round (192nd overall) of 1990 draft. ... At time of retirement, his 815 career receptions and 10,060 yards and 62 TDs were all NFL career records for a tight end. ... His 214 receiving yards vs. Kansas City in 2002 is an NFL single-game record for a tight end. ... Tied NFL record with 13 receptions in single postseason game (vs. Raiders, 1993). ... Three times during career amassed over 1,000 yards receiving. ... Earned first- or second-team All-Pro honors five times and first- or second-team All-AFC honors six times. ... Selected to play in eight Pro Bowls (1993-1999, 2002). ... In 1996 led all tight ends in receptions (80), receiving yards (1,062 yards), and receiving touchdowns (10). ... Following season had career best 1,107 receiving yards for career best 15.4 yard average. ... An integral part of Broncos' 1998 and 1999 and Ravens' 2001 Super Bowl championships.

---

Source: Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Comments

Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.

Sign in to comment