Notes & Quotes: Terrell Davis

Class of 2017 Enshrinee

Notes

 After playing one season at Long Beach State University under Hall of Fame coach George Allen and three seasons for Ray Goff at the University of Georgia. Davis was selected in the sixth round (196th overall) by the Denver Broncos in 1995. Davis is the first former Long Beach State player, second (Charley Trippi) former Georgia running back, and second sixth round draft pick to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He also joins Curtis Martin, Warren Sapp, and Derrick Brooks as the fourth member from the 1995 NFL Draft class to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

 Davis burst onto the NFL scene in preseason game on August 6, 1995 in Tokyo against the San Francisco 49ers. On a third quarter kickoff, Davis broke through San Francisco’s line of blockers and leveled 49ers kickoff returner, Tyronne Drakeford. The hit impressed the Broncos coaching staff and led Davis to more reps, carries, and the starting running back spot during his rookie season. Davis went on to play in 78 games in the NFL, starting 77 of them and leading Denver to a record of 51-27 during that span.

 On December 27, 1998, Davis eclipsed the 2,000-yard rushing mark for a single season against the Seattle Seahawks in Denver’s final regular season game. He rushed for 178 yards on 29 carries, giving him 2,008 yards on the year and a 28-21 Broncos victory. Davis is one of seven running back in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season, joining O.J. Simpson, Eric Dickerson, Barry Sanders, Jamal Lewis, Chris Johnson, and Adrian Peterson.

 In eight career postseason games with the Denver Broncos, Davis rushed for a total of 1,140 yards, while helping the Broncos to a 7-1 record including back-to-back Super Bowl titles. Davis holds the NFL record for most consecutive postseason games (seven) with 100 or more yards rushing and average yards per attempt with 5.59.

 On November 5, 1995, Davis recorded his first 100-yard game rushing in a 38-6 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Davis ran for 135 yards on 22 carries in the win. In 86 career games in the NFL including the playoffs, Davis rushed for 100 yards 41 times. Davis is only the second player (Hall of Fame Jim Brown) in NFL history to averaged more than 100 yards rushing in both regular-season and postseason games combined.

Quotes

 “He was the ultimate pro. He played just as hard and just as nasty without the ball in his hand as he did with the ball. He was consistent. He was right there when it comes down to being the toughest player I’ve ever coached.”

 -Bobby Turner, Denver Broncos running back coach from 1995-2009

 “You can be the best person in the league but if you don't win championships, something's missing.”

 -Terrell Davis, Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017

 “My career would not have ended the way it did without T.D., the Denver Broncos would not have done what we did without T.D. He changed things. We had a championship team, we won two world championships, we did the things you have to do, approached the game the way you need to in order to win a championship. But I believe we wouldn’t have taken the final step without T.D.’’

 -John Elway, Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2004 and Davis’ teammate with the Denver Broncos from 1995-1998

 “If you look at what he did in the biggest games, in the playoffs, he never had an off game.”

 -Shannon Sharpe, Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2011 and Davis’ teammate with the Denver Broncos from 1995-1999

 “I know it was shorter but TD’s career, that block of time, it was awesome...I was a guy who was drafted higher than him and I’m looking at him and saying to myself: ‘Why can’t I do this? Why am I not doing this? What am I doing wrong?’ It helped me with my career.”

 -Marshall Faulk, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2011

 "You've got to understand, from the moment I met him this kid he was as humble as ever. He's just a good, humble person, and you know what, I fell in love with the kid. He's always been an interesting person in the sense of you could just talk to him about life and he always wanted to know how he could get better and how to be successful. TD was always thirsty for knowledge on the field and off the field."

 -Neil Schwartz, Davis’ agent and friend

 “You get guys made up like Terrell Davis and you win championships...He played great during the regular season, but when he went to the playoffs, that’s when he separated himself.”

 -Mike Shanahan, Denver Broncos head coach from 1995-2008