A capsule look at those elected to the Hall of Fame:
Fred Dean
Defensive End
6-3, 230
1975-1981 San Diego Chargers, 1981-1985 San Francisco 49ers. 11 seasons, 141 games.
Selected by San Diego in the second round (33rd player overall) in 1975 NFL draft. … Played linebacker in college, moved to defensive line with the Chargers. … Quickness, speed, strength made him a feared pass rusher. … Recorded seven sacks, 93 tackles and had four fumble recoveries in his rookie year. … Career sacks total near 100, but unofficial because sacks were not an official NFL statistic until 1982. … Unofficially had 15 1/2 sacks in 1978, nine in 1979, 10 1/2 in 1980. … Contributed 12 sacks in 11 games with the 49ers in 1981. … Had career best 17 1/2 sacks in 1983, including a then-NFL record six in one game, Nov. 13 vs. New Orleans. … Played on five division winners and two Super Bowl championship teams. … Voted All-Pro in 1980 and 1981, selected to play in four Pro Bowls.
—
Darrell Green
Cornerback
5-8, 176
1983-2002 Washington Redskins. 20 seasons, 295 games.
Selected in first round (28th player overall) in 1983 draft. … Holds NFL record with at least one interception in 19 consecutive seasons. … Career interception totals: 54 interceptions for 621 yards and 6 TDs. … Tied for first on NFL all-time list for most consecutive seasons playing with one team (20). … Had three INTs vs. Detroit (11/15/87). … Had career-best five INTs in three different seasons: 1984, 1986, 1991. … Returned six interceptions for TDs. … Also returned 51 punts for 611 yards. … Tied for second all-time for most interceptions returned for touchdowns in playoffs with two. … A member of the 1990s All-Decade Team. … Selected to play in seven Pro Bowls. … Named All-Pro 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991.
—
Art Monk
Wide Receiver
6-3, 210
1980-93 Washington Redskins, 1994 New York Jets, 1995 Philadelphia Eagles. 16 seasons, 224 games.
t or more passes in six games, five games of 100-plus yards receiving, and in one game caught 10 passes for 200 yards. … Chosen as Redskins MVP in 1984. … First Redskins player to produce three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. … A three-time Pro Bowl selection, was All-Pro choice in 1984 and 1985.
—
Emmitt Thomas
Cornerback
6-2, 192
1966-1978 Kansas City Chiefs. 13 seasons, 181 games.
Joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. … One of finest cornerbacks of his era. … Ranks ninth all-time in interceptions with 58, which is fourth all-time best by a pure cornerback and is Chiefs all-time record. … Led NFL with team-record 12 interceptions in 1974 – two shy of NFL all-time record. … Two of his 1974 interceptions went for touchdowns. … Led AFL with nine picks in 1969 and added three more during playoffs including interception in Chiefs Super Bowl IV win over the Vikings. … Returned five interceptions for TDs during career. … Led the Chiefs in interceptions in 1969, 1971, 1973, 1974, and 1975. … His 937 return yards on 58 INTs is team record. … Selected to play in five Pro Bowls. … Was first- or second-team All-AFL/AFC 1969, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1975 and first- or second-team All-NFL 1971, 1974, 1975.
—
Andre Tippett
Linebacker
6-3, 240
1982-1993 New England Patriots. 10 seasons, 151 games.
Selected in the second round (41st overall) of 1982 draft. … Used primarily on special teams in strike-shortened rookie season. … Earned starter’s role in following season. … In 1984 established team record with 18 1/2 sacks and earned first of five consecutive (1985-1989) Pro Bowl selections. … Was a factor in team’s success that led to first Super Bowl appearance in 1986. … That season (1985) led AFC with 16 1/2 sacks (second in NFL), earning AFC Defensive Player of the Year honors. … Began 1986 season with 9 1/2 sacks before injury sidelined him for five games following surgery. Returned for final two games of season and earned Pro Bowl spot. … In 1987 had AFC-leading 12 1/2 sacks. … Missed four games in 1988 and entire 1989 season due to injuries. … Remained a dominant player through final four seasons. … At time of retirement, his 100 career sacks, 18 1/2 sacks in a season, and 17 opponent fumbles recovered were team bests. … Chosen for NFL’s all-decade team of the 1980s.
—
Gary Zimmerman
Tackle
6-6, 294
1986-1992 Minnesota Vikings, 1993-1997 Denver Broncos. 12 seasons, 184 games.
Selected in first round (third overall) of 1984 supplemental draft. … Originally chosen by Giants, signing rights traded to Vikings for two second-round picks in 1986 draft. … Spent two seasons with the L.A. Express of USFL before reporting to Vikings. … After joining Vikings, began streak of 169 consecutive starts that lasted until 1996, when surgery sidelined him. … Anchored offensive line that helped Vikings lead NFC in rushing, 1991. … One of just handful of players chosen for two NFL all-decade teams, 1980s and 1990s. … Earned first- or second-team All-Pro honors eight times. … Selected to play in seven Pro Bowls.
—
Source: Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Add A Comment