First up is Andre Reed, a 16 year wide receiver in the pros, playing from 1985 to 1999 for the Buffalo Bills and 2000 in Washington for the Redskins. Reed helped lead Bills to four straight Super Bowls during the early 1990's. He was selected to seven pro-bowls, had 951 receptions for 13,198 yards and 87 touchdowns in his brilliant career, including four seasons of 1,000 or more receiving yards. Reed was one of the favorite targets of Bills QB Jim Kelly.
Next up is Walter Jones, a twelve year offensive tackle in the pros. During his career, he played from 1997 to 2008 for the Seattle Seahawks, a nine-time Pro Bowler, and a first team All-Pro four times and the 2005 Offensive Lineman of the year. He played in 180 games while the Seahawks won five division titles and one conference championship which was in 2005 when he helped lead the Seahawks to the Superbowl loss to the Steelers. He was a solid talent, able to help keep the Seahawks Quarterbacks upright and safe in the pocket.
Next up is former New York Giants Defensive End Michael Strahan. Strahan spent his entire career with Big Blue, playing for the Giants from 1993 to 2007. He holds the single season record for Sacks with 22.5 sacks in 2001, and had 141.5 in his entire career. Strahan was a seven time pro bowler, a six time all pro, won the NFL defensive player of the year in 2001 and won NFC defensive player of the year in 2001 and 2003. He has a Super Bowl ring to his credit with the Giants in 2007. Strahan has been on of the best pass rushers off the D-Line in our generation, and has been the face of the Giants defense during his playing career here in New York.
Claude Humphrey gets a call he's been waiting a long time for. The defensive end played for over ten years in the NFL, playing for the Atlanta Falcons from 1969 to 1974 and then again from 1976-78 and also he played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1979 to 1981. He was elected to six pro bowls and was a nine time all pro, and won the defensive rookie of the year in 1968. During his time in football, Humphrey was a revolutionary pass rushing defensive lineman who paved the way for players like Reggie White, Bruce Smith and fellow 2014 NFL HOF inductee Michael Strahan.
The only linebacker to be inducted into the Hall this year is Derrick Brooks. Brooks played his entire 14 year career, from 1995 to 2008, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During that time, he was elected to 11 pro bowls, was a nine time all pro, was on four division championship and one Super Bowl winning team while in Tampa. Brooks also had 25 career interceptions, six returned for TDs. During his career, Brooks was a bigtime playmaker from the Linebacker position. He may not have been as hard hitting as some other linebackers of his day, but he still had a very big impact on the game and the teams he played for.
Areneas Williams gets into the Hall, after spending 14 years in pro football, playing from 1991 to 2000 with the Arizona Cardinals, and then from 2001 to 2004 with the St. Louis Rams. Williams was elected to 8 pro bowls and was an all pro five times. Over his career he accumulated a staggering 12 defensive touchdowns (9 interceptions returned for a touchdown, and 3 fumbles recovered for touchdowns), and 55 career interceptions, cementing his place as one of the most dominating defensive backs of his era. He also recovered 23 fumbles and gained 1,075 total defensive return yards (807 from interceptions and 268 from fumbles). He was also a 4-time All-Pro selection. His 268 fumble return yards are an NFL record.
Now there were some notable snubs for this years election. Marvin Harrison, Jerome Bettis and Tony Dungy are the biggest names left out of the Hall this season. Harrison was one of the favorite targets of Peyton Manning in Indanoplis and will eventually get into the Hall. Bettis was a pound and ground type runner who could get the hard earned yards going as a sort of North and South type of runner. Tony Dungy was one of the better coaches of all time, and a big reason the Colts had success during his years in Indy. He not only helped get the Colts into a sort of elite team in this league, Dungy also helped put the Tampa Bay Bucs on the map.
So there you have it, the 2014 NFL hall of fame class!
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