Class of 2019 to be Elected on "Selection Saturday"
“Selection Saturday” will change the lives of up to eight individuals when they receive the coveted “knock on the door” from Pro Football Hall of Fame President & CEO David Baker. It is on that day, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, that the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 48-member Selection Committee gathers in Atlanta to elect the Hall’s Class of 2019. The meeting, held on the eve of Super Bowl LIII, caps the year-round selection process that results in no fewer than four and no more than eight members being accorded the game’s highest honor. The results of the meeting are delivered to Baker, who walks the hallways of a nearby hotel where the finalists for the Class of 2019 eagerly await hearing the news they are going to Canton.
The selectors will thoroughly discuss the careers of each of the 18 finalists for the Class of 2019 during the meeting which typically lasts more than eight hours.
Although there is no set number for any class of enshrinees, the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s current bylaws stipulate that between four and eight new members will be chosen each year. No more than five Modern-Era Finalists can be elected in a given year and thus a class of six, seven, or eight can only be achieved if the Seniors Finalist and/or one or both of the Contributors Finalists are elected. Representatives of the accounting firm Deloitte & Touche will tabulate all votes during the meeting.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2019 will be announced during NFL Honors, a two-hour primetime awards special to air nationally on the eve of Super Bowl LIII at 9 p.m. (ET and PT) on CBS. NFL Honors will be taped earlier that evening at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta from 5-7 p.m. (local) when the 2019 Hall of Fame Class will be introduced for the first time. In addition, the NFL and The Associated Press will announce their annual accolades in this awards show with the winners on hand to accept their awards.
“SELECTION SATURDAY” TIMELINE
The first order of business is to debate the merits of the SENIORS FINALIST Johnny Robinson followed by a vote, “yes” or “no,” for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In order to be named to the Class of 2019, the Seniors Finalist, like all other Finalists, needs 80 percent positive vote from the full committee.
JOHNNY ROBINSON
Safety... 6-1, 205 ... Louisiana State ... 1960-1971 Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs
12 seasons, 164 games ... Selected in first round of 1960 AFL Draft by Texans and 3rd overall in the 1960 NFL Draft by Detroit Lions ... Utilized by Texans as running back first two seasons ... Moved to defense in third season, responded with 4 interceptions ... Recorded multiple interceptions each season after moving to safety ... Single- season best 10 interceptions in 1966 (led AFL) and 1970 (led NFL) ... Lone career pick-six came on 29-yard interception return vs. Boston Patriots, Sept. 25, 1966 ... Helped team to four division titles ... Played in three AFL championship game victories ... Started in two Super Bowls ... Recorded two tackles, one fumble recovery and intercepted one pass for nine yards in Chiefs’ 23-7 win over Minnesota Vikings, Super Bowl IV ... Named All-AFL five straight seasons (1965-69), All-Pro, 1969 and All-NFL, 1970 ... Voted to AFL All-Star Game six times, Pro Bowl once ... Named to AFL’s All-Time Team ... Intercepted 57 career interceptions, returned for 741 yards and 1 TD ...Also gained 658 rushing yards, 6 TDs; 77 catches for 1,228 yards, 9 TDs; 21 punt returns for 272 yards, 1 TD; and 3 kickoff returns for 54 yards ... Scored one TD on fumble return (46 yards vs. Baltimore Colts on Monday Night Football, Sept. 28, 1970) ... Born Sept. 9, 1938 in Delhi, Louisiana.
Following the vote on the Seniors Finalist, the next order of business is to debate the career of the CONTRIBUTORS FINALISTS, Pat Bowlen and Gil Brandt, followed by a vote “yes” or “no” for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In order to be named to the Class of 2019, the Contributor Finalists, like all other Finalists, needs 80 percent positive vote from the full committee.
PAT BOWLEN
Owner ... Oklahoma ... 1984-Present Denver Broncos
Bowlen shaped the Broncos into one of the most storied franchises in NFL history during his 35 years as owner ... Engrained winning culture into organization with immediate results ... Broncos posted 13-3 record to win AFC West in Bowlen’s first season, 1984 ... Sustained and unprecedented success over past three decades has resulted in more than 350 victories, seven Super Bowl appearances and regular-season winning percentage of .603 (1984-2017) ... With Bowlen at helm, Broncos have advanced to playoffs 18 times, won 13 division crowns, seven AFC conference championships and three Super Bowl titles (XXXII, XXXIII and 50) ... Under his leadership, the Broncos are only NFL team to post 90 or more victories in each of the past three decades ... Broncos victory total since Bowlen took over as owner is second most in NFL ... Led effort for state-of-the-art Broncos Stadium at Mile High that opened in 2001 .... Member of numerous NFL committees over career including co-chair of NFL Management Council Executive Committee ... Key figure to securing NFL’s labor and TV contracts ... As Chair of NFL Broadcast Committee was responsible for negotiations of $18 billion TV contract, the most lucrative in single- sport history ... Named to Broncos Ring of Fame, 2015 ... Born Feb. 18, 1944 in Praire du Chien, Wisconsin.
GIL BRANDT
Contributor ... Wisconsin ... 1960-1988 Dallas Cowboys, 1995-present National Football League
Historic half-century career in pro football ... As vice president of personnel for the Cowboys, helped build one of most dominant franchises in all of sports ... Integral talent scout for Cowboys and member of team’s brain trust along with Hall of Famers Tex Schramm and Tom Landry since inception in 1960 through 1988 ... Developed innovative scouting and management of personnel systems ... Many innovations are standard process for NFL teams today ... Early user of computer analysis to evaluate players ... Discovered number of free agents such as wide receiver Drew Pearson and defensive backs Cliff Harris and Everson Walls ... Responsible for building rosters that led Cowboys to winning records in 20 consecutive seasons (1966-1985) ... Cowboys registered 10 or more wins in a season 16 times during period ... Helped Dallas to 13 division titles, six conference championships and two Super Bowl victories (VI and XII) ... Joined NFL.com at its inception in 1995 and has been key contributor ever since ... Regarded as top draft expert ... Serves as resident historian for NFL.com and has provided countless number of columns about league’s significant events and players ... A regular radio personality on SiriusXM NFL Radio ... Born March 4, 1933 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Next, the Selection Committee will evaluate the careers of the 15 MODERN-ERA FINALISTS. After discussion of each candidate, the Selection Committee will vote for 10 Finalists. Additional debate is followed by a second vote in which the 10 remaining Finalists are trimmed to five. A final vote “yes” or “no” will be conducted on the final five Finalists who require 80 percent positive vote to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2019.
STEVE ATWATER
Safety ... 6-3, 218 ... Arkansas... 1989-1998 Denver Broncos, 1999 New York Jets
11 seasons, 167 games ... Drafted in first round (20th overall) in 1989 draft ... Made immediate impact as rookie in 1989 as Denver led NFL in fewest points allowed, recorded AFC’s best record and earned a berth in Super Bowl XXIV ... Named to NFL All-Rookie Team ... Noted for hard hitting and devastating tackling ... Broncos leading tackler in 1993 and 1995 ... Recorded multiple interceptions in all but three seasons ... Led Broncos in interceptions three seasons and interception return yardage four times ... Career-high five interceptions, 1991 ... Recorded 24 career picks returned for 408 yards and 1 TD ... Totaled more than 1,000 career tackles ... Registered five career sacks ... Elected to eight Pro Bowls over nine-season span ... Named All-Pro in 1991, 1992; Second-team All-Pro, 1990, 1996 ... All-AFC six times ... Started at free safety in four AFC championship games and three Super Bowls ... Recorded six tackles, one sack and one pass defensed in Super Bowl XXXII to help Broncos to first Super Bowl championship with win over Green Bay Packers ... Contributed four tackles, three assists and two passes defensed against Atlanta Falcons in Denver’s Super Bowl XXXIII win ... Named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s ... Born Oct. 28, 1966 in Chicago, Illinois.
CHAMP BAILEY
Cornerback ... 6-0, 192 ... Georgia ... 1999-2003 Washington Redskins, 2004-2013 Denver Broncos
15 seasons, 215 games ... Washington’s first round draft pick (7th overall) in 1999 NFL Draft ... Helped Redskins to 10-6 record and division title as rookie ... Recorded five interceptions in rookie season including three in one game (vs. Cardinals, Oct. 17, 1999) ... Traded to Broncos in 2004 ... Key member of secondary that led Denver to five postseason appearances and four division titles including three straight to cap his career ... Started at left cornerback in two AFC championship games and Super Bowl XLVIII ... Returned interception 100 yards in Broncos victory over Patriots in 2005 AFC Divisional Playoff Game ... Tied for NFL lead with career-high 10 interceptions returned for 162 yards and 1 TD, 2006 ... Racked up 18 interceptions over two-season span (2005-06) which was most in NFL in more than two decades ... Exceptional in pass coverage, rarely flagged for pass interference ... Led Redskins in interceptions once, punt returns once ... Broncos leading interceptor five seasons ... Amassed 52 career interceptions returned for 464 yards and 4 TDs ... Recorded 203 passes defensed ... Chosen First-Team All-Pro four times, Second-Team All-Pro four times ... Named All-NFC twice, All-AFC three times ... Voted to 12 Pro Bowls ... Selected to NFL All-Decade Team of the 2000s ... Born June 22, 1978 in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
TONY BOSELLI
Tackle ... 6-7, 324 ... Southern California ... 1995-2001 Jacksonville Jaguars
Seven seasons, 91 games ... Selected by expansion Jaguars as second player overall in 1995 NFL Draft ... Quickly became face of the franchise ... Sat out rookie training camp with knee injury, saw first action in Week 4 ... First career start came following week in franchise’s first victory ... Earned All-Rookie honors ... Regarded as an elite tackle in the NFL during career ... Noted for superb foot speed and agility ... Persevered through numerous injuries ... Leader of team that led expansion Jaguars to AFC championship game by second season ... Anchored offensive line that helped team to four straight playoff appearances with records of 9-7, 11-5, 11-5 and 14-2 from 1996-99 ... Picked as team’s Most Valuable Player in 1998 after helping Jaguars to team’s first division title ... Voted to five straight Pro Bowls (1997-2001) ... Named first-team All-Pro three consecutive seasons ... Selected to the NFL’s All- Decade Team of the 1990s despite only playing in half of the decade ... Suffered severe shoulder injury that ultimately ended career and placed on injured reserve after three games, 2001 ... Houston Texans’ first pick of 2002 expansion draft but injury prevented him from playing again ... Born April 17, 1972 in Modesto, California.
ISAAC BRUCE
Wide Receiver ... Santa Monica College (JC), Memphis ... 1994-2007 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 2008-09 San Francisco 49ers
16 seasons, 223 games ... Selected in 2nd round, 33rd overall, by Los Angeles Rams in 1994 draft ... First career catch was 34-yard touchdown play ... Breakout year in second season with career-high 119 catches for 1,781 yards and 13 TDS ... First player in NFL history with three straight games with 170 or more receiving yards (181 vs. Colts, 191 vs. Falcons, 173 vs. 49ers), 1995 ... Recorded first of three career 200-yard games in 1995 season finale ... Led NFL in receiving yards (1,338), 1996 ... Key offensive threat for “Greatest Show on Turf” ... Started in two NFL championship games and two Super Bowls ... Recorded six catches for 162 yards including 73-yard, game-winning touchdown reception in Rams’ 23-16 Super Bowl XXXIV victory ... Retired as Rams’ all-time leader in catches, receiving yards, and most yards from scrimmage ... Named All-Pro, 1999 ... Voted to four Pro Bowls (1997, 2000, 2001, 2002) ... Twelve seasons with 50 or more catches ... Racked up 1,000-yard seasons eight times ... Career numbers include 1,024 receptions for 15,208 yards (second most at time), and 91 touchdowns ... Born Nov. 10, 1972 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
DON CORYELL
Head Coach ... Washington ... 1973-77 St. Louis Cardinals, 1978-1986 San Diego Chargers
14 seasons ... Regular season record: 111-83-1 ... Postseason record: 3-6 ... Overall record: 114-89-1 ... Took over Cardinals team that hadn’t won title of any kind since 1948 ... After 4-9-1 inaugural season took team 10-4 record, playoffs ... “Big Red” won NFC Eastern Divisional title 1974, 1975 ... Named consensus NFL Coach of the Year, 1974 ... Narrowly missed playoffs in 1976 despite finishing 10-4 ... Record of 31-11, 1974-76 marked most successful three-year stretch in franchise’s history ... Again inherited a team that hadn’t won title in many years when he took over as coach of Chargers four games into 1978 season ... Installed new explosive offense soon labeled “Air Coryell” ... Chargers led NFL in passing six straight seasons, amassed more than 24,000 yards from 1978 to 1983 ... QB Dan Fouts blossomed to become first player in NFL history to record three straight 4,000-yard seasons ... Coryell succeeded in turning Chargers into one of NFL’s elite teams ... Captured three AFC Western Division titles (1979- 1981) ... Named AFC Coach of the Year in 1979 ... Born October 17, 1924 in Seattle, Washington ... Died July 1, 2010, at age of 85.
ALAN FANECA
Guard ... 6-4, 322 ... Louisiana State ... 1998-2007 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2008-09 New York Jets, 2010 Arizona Cardinals
13 seasons, 206 games ... Drafted by Steelers in first round (26th player overall) in 1998 draft ... Missed just one game in career ... Earned starting role in sixth game of rookie season ... Helped pave way for 1,000-yard rushing season by Jerome Bettis to earn All-Rookie acclaim ... Key leader of Steelers team that captured four division titles including three in four-year span ... Helped Steelers post 10-plus wins five times including regular season records of 13-3 (2001) and 15-1 (2004) ... Veteran leadership integral to Jets playoff run to reach AFC championship, 2009 ... Named first-team All-Pro six times (2001-02, 2004-07); Second-Team All-Pro, 2003 and 2008 ... All-AFC seven straight seasons, 2001-07 ... Selected to nine straight Pro Bowls ... Started 14 career playoff games including at left guard in four AFC championship games and Super Bowl XL ... Dominating run blocker, led way for teams that finished among the NFL’s top 10 in rushing 11 times in 13 seasons ... Blocked for nine 1,000-yard rushers and five 3,000-yard passers ... Named to NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s ... Born Dec. 7, 1976 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
TOM FLORES
Head Coach ... Fresno City Junior College, University of Pacific ... 1979-1987 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, 1992- 94 Seattle Seahawks
12 seasons ... Regular season record: 97-87-0 ... Postseason record: 8-3 ... Overall record: 105-90-0 ... Served as assistant coach for Raiders for seven seasons before being named head coach in 1979 ... Led team to Super Bowl title in second season at helm ... Guided Raiders to 27-10 victory over Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XV ... Raiders became first wildcard team to win Super Bowl ... Won second Super Bowl championship with Raiders 38-9 win over Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII ... At time, his two Super Bowl coaching victories ranked behind only Chuck Noll, Bill Walsh and Joe Gibbs ... Flores’ led Raiders teams won 11 or more games in a season four times ... Named AFC Coach of the Year after leading team to best record in AFC, 1982 ... Raiders captured three division titles over four-year span (1982 AFC in strike-shortened season, 1983 and 1985 AFC Western) ... Coached Seahawks for three seasons ... Also served as Seattle’s President/General Manager, 1989-1994 ... Born March 21, 1937 in Fresno, California.
TONY GONZALEZ
Tight End ... 6-5, 250 ... California ... 1997-2008 Kansas City Chiefs, 2009-2013 Atlanta Falcons
17 seasons, 270 games ... First-round pick (13th player overall) by Chiefs in 1997 .... Named Chiefs’ rookie of the year after recording 33 catches for 368 yards and 2 TDs, 1997 ... Recorded more than 50 receptions in a season in each of his last 16 years (second most all-time) including 14 seasons with 70 or more catches ... Led NFL in receiving with career-best 102 receptions, 2004 ... Led Chiefs in receiving eight times ... Traded to Atlanta in 2009 ... Led Falcons in receiving, 2012... Set Chiefs record with 26 games with 100 or more receiving yards; added five more 100-yard efforts with Falcons ... Ranks behind only Jerry Rice in career receptions ... Career statistics: 1,325 receptions for 15,127 yards, 111 TDs .... Streak of 211 straight games with a catch, 2000-2013 (longest ever by tight end, second longest in NFL history at time of retirement) ... Career-long 73-yard TD catch vs. division rival Raiders, Nov. 28, 1999 ...Team leader that helped Chiefs and Falcons to two division titles each ... Started at tight end for Falcons in 2012 NFC Championship Game, had 8 catches for 78 yards and 1 TD ... Named First-Team All- Pro seven times (1999-2003, 2008, 2012) .... Voted to 14 Pro Bowls ... Named Team MVP by Chiefs (2008) and Falcons (2009) ... Selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of 2000s ... Born Feb. 27, 1976 in Torrance, California.
STEVE HUTCHINSON
Guard ... 6-4, 315 ... Michigan ... 2001-05 Seattle Seahawks, 2006-2011 Minnesota Vikings, 2012 Tennessee Titans
12 seasons, 169 games ... First-round pick (17th player overall) by Seahawks in 2001 NFL Draft ... Named to NFL’s All-Rookie team ... Key component of the offensive line that led Seattle to three straight playoff appearances (2003- 05) ... Paved way for NFL MVP Shaun Alexander who gained team record 1,880 yards and NFL record 28 touchdowns, 2005 ... Started at left guard in Seahawks’ 34-14 win over Carolina Panthers in 2005 NFC Championship Game to earn franchise’s first Super Bowl berth ... Signed as free agent with Vikings, 2006 ... Led way for Adrian Peterson to become first Vikings player to lead NFL in rushing after racking up franchise record 1,760 yards, 2008 ... Veteran leader who helped Vikings to back-to-back division titles, 2008-09 ... Started at left guard for Vikings in 2009 NFC Championship Game ... Named All-Pro six times (twice with Seattle, four times with Minnesota) ... Voted to seven consecutive Pro Bowls ... Twice chosen as NFL Alumni Offensive Lineman of the Year (2006, 2009) ... Named to NFL All-Decade Team of 2000s ... Born Nov. 1, 1977 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
EDGERRIN JAMES
Running Back ... 6-0, 219 ... Miami (Fla.) ... 1999-2005 Indianapolis Colts, 2006-08 Arizona Cardinals, 2009 Seattle Seahawks
11 seasons, 148 games ... Selected in the first round (4th overall) of the 1999 draft by Colts ... Powerful running style and versatility led to spectacular start of career ... NFL’s Rookie of the Year, 1999 ... Captured NFL rushing titles first two seasons (1,553 yards in 1999 and career-best 1,709 yards in 2000) and scored 13 rushing TDs in each season ... Also caught 62 passes and 4 TDs as rookie and career-high 63 receptions and 5 TDs in second season ... Key player in Colts offense that resulted in four division titles and six seasons with 10 or more wins ... Won fifth division title with 2008 Cardinals ... Started in two conference championship games (one with Indianapolis and one with Arizona) and Super Bowl XLIII ... Eclipsed 1,000 yards in a season seven times; topped 1,500 four times ... Career total: 12,246 yards on 3,028 carries and 80 TDs ... Added 433 career catches for 3,364 yards and 11 TDs ... All-Pro three times (1999-2000 and 2004) ... All-AFC four times (1999-2000, 2004-05) ... Voted to four Pro Bowls ... Selected to NFL’s All-Decade Team of 2000s ... Born Aug. 1, 1978 in Immokalee, Florida.
TY LAW
Cornerback ... 5-11, 200 ... Michigan ... 1995-2004 New England Patriots, 2005, 2008 New York Jets, 2006-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2009 Denver Broncos
15 seasons, 203 games ... Selected by Patriots in 1st round (23rd player overall) of 1995 NFL Draft ... Named All- Pro in 1998 and 2003 ... Voted to five Pro Bowls (1999, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006) ... Starting left cornerback in four AFC championship games ... Started at left cornerback in three Super Bowls including Patriots victories in Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVIII ... Recorded seven tackles, one assisted tackle, two passes defensed and scored on 47- yard interception return for touchdown in New England’s 20-17 win over Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI ... Intercepted three or more passes in a season nine times ... Led NFL in interceptions twice (9 in 1998 with Patriots and career- high 10 in 2005 with Jets) ... Team’s leading interceptor six times (Patriots – 4, Chiefs – 1, Jets – 1) ... Registered 53 career interceptions for 828 yards and 7 pick-sixes ... Career-long 74-yard interception return for touchdown against New England (Dec. 26, 2005)... Recorded 37-yard interception return in final game of career ... Five career sacks ... Selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s ... Born Feb. 10, 1974 in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania.
JOHN LYNCH
Safety ... 6-2, 214 ... Stanford ... 1993-2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004-07 Denver Broncos
15 seasons, 224 games ... Selected by Bucs in the 3rd round (82nd player overall) of 1993 draft ... Was vital addition to Bucs defense that soon dominated NFL ... Earned permanent starting role in fourth pro season, racked up more than 100 tackles and tied career-high with three interceptions ... From that point forward, was anchor of secondary on a defense that perennially ranked among NFL’s best ... Voted to first of nine Pro Bowl following 1997 season ... Earned first-team All-Pro recognition three straight years (1999-2001) ... In 2002, was integral part of Buccaneers’ championship season capped with franchise’s first Super Bowl title ... Contributed 96 tackles (50 solo), three interceptions, and 12 passes defensed as Bucs finished 12-4 ... In postseason added five tackles in divisional playoff, six tackles in championship game and one tackle and pass defensed in Super Bowl XXXVII victory ... Signed as free agent with Denver in 2004 ... Played final four seasons of 15-year career in Denver ... Helped lead Broncos to conference championship game in second season ... That year recorded career-high four sacks, intercepted two passes, forced four fumbles, and racked up 69 tackles ... Added three solo tackles, one assist, one pass defensed in 1995 AFC Championship Game ... In all, recorded 26 interceptions, returned for 204 yards, 13 sacks, and more than 1,000 tackles ... Credited with 90 or more tackles in a season nine times ... Born Sept. 25, 1971 in Hinsdale, Illinois.
KEVIN MAWAE
Center ... 6-4, 289 ... Louisiana State ... 1994-97 Seattle Seahawks, 1998-2005 New York Jets, 2006-09 Tennessee Titans
16 seasons, 241 games ... Selected by Seahawks in 2nd round (36th player overall) in 1994 NFL Draft ... Spent majority of college career as tackle before moving to center during senior year ... Played in 14 games, and started 11 games during rookie season with Seahawks ... Named to NFL’s All-Rookie Team ... Played at right guard first two pro seasons, moved permanently to center, 1996 ... Noted for leadership and steady play ... Helped Jets to division title and championship game appearance in first season in New York, 1998 ... Anchored steady Jets offensive line that led way for 44 100-yard games and seven 1,000-yard seasons by Hall of Fame running back Curtis Martin ... Blocked for 1,000-yard rusher in 13 of his 16 seasons and five different running backs (Chris Warren, 2; Martin, 7; Travis Henry, 1; LenDale White, 1; and Chris Johnson, 2) ... Capped career with Pro Bowl season by paving way for 2,000-yard performance by Johnson ... Named All-Pro six times (1999-2002, 2004, and 2008) ... Voted to eight Pro Bowls including his final two seasons ... Selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s ... Born Jan. 23, 1971 in Savannah, Georgia.
ED REED
Safety... 5-11, 200 ... Miami (Fla.) ... 2002-2012 Baltimore Ravens, 2013 Houston Texans, 2013 New York Jets
12 seasons, 174 games ... Selected by Ravens in first round (24th overall) in 2002 NFL Draft ... Made instant impact on Baltimore’s dominant defense with 5 interceptions as rookie ... NFL’s top interceptor in 2004, 2008, 2010 to become just second player in NFL history to lead NFL in interceptions three times ... Led AFC in interceptions four times ... Ravens leading interceptor seven seasons ... NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year, 2004 after picking off league-high 9 passes returned for then-NFL record 358 yards, 1 TD ... Career statistics: 64 interceptions returned for NFL record 1,590 yards and 7 touchdowns .... Owns two longest interception returns in NFL history (107 yards vs. Eagles on Nov. 23, 2008; and 106 yards vs. Browns on Nov. 7, 2004) ... Registered 140 career passes defensed ... Also returned 30 punts for 205 yards ... 3 touchdowns scored on fumble recoveries ... Leader on Ravens team that advanced to playoffs seven times, won four division titles, and Super Bowl title ... Started at free safety in three AFC championship games ... Recorded 5 tackles, 1 interception and 1 pass defensed in Ravens’ Super Bowl XLVII win ... Selected All-Pro six times ... Voted to nine Pro Bowls ... Member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s ... Born Sept. 11, 1978 in St. Rose, Louisiana.
RICHARD SEYMOUR
Defensive End/Defensive Tackle ... 6-6, 317 ... Georgia ... 2001-08 New England Patriots, 2009-2012 Oakland Raiders
12 seasons, 164 games ... First round selection (6th player overall) by Patriots in 2001 NFL Draft ... Integral member of defense that helped Patriots to six division titles over seven-season span ... Patriots teams posted 10 or more wins seven times during his eight seasons with team ... Led Patriots in sacks twice (2002, 2008) ... Registered a career-high 8 sacks, 2008 ... Amassed 57.5 career sacks ... Recorded 3 or more sacks in every season but one ... In games in which he recorded a sack, teams had a record of 46-8 (.852) ... Returned fumble a franchise record 68 yards for TD against Buffalo Bills on Oct. 3, 2004 ... Recorded 39 passes defensed, two interceptions in career ... Played in four AFC championship games and four Super Bowls including victories in Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII and XXXIX ... Selected first-team All-Pro three consecutive seasons (2003-05); second-team All-Pro twice (2006, 2011) ... All-AFC five times ... Voted to seven Pro Bowls ... Named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of 2000s ... Born Oct. 6, 1979 in Gadsden, South Carolina.
DOING THE MATH
There is an extraordinarily large number of possible combinations for the Class of 2019. The exact number of possibilities on “Selection Saturday” for a class of four, five, six, seven, or eight is an astonishing 38,564.
PERCENTAGE OF FINALISTS WHO MAKE IT TO HALL
Since 1970, a total of 89.3% of all Finalists eventually earned election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame (this figure does not include 2019 Finalists).
2019 PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME ENSHRINEMENT WEEK POWERED BY JOHNSON CONTROLS
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls, a multi-day celebration of the enshrinement of the newest Hall of Fame Class, is held each year in Canton. The Class of 2019 will be formally enshrined on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019.
The 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls kicks off with the annual Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, Aug. 1. Other major events complementing the Enshrinement Ceremony and Hall of Fame Game are the nationally televised (NFL Network) Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Dinner (Friday, Aug. 2) and the Enshrinees Roundtable (Sunday, Aug. 4). The festivities wrap up on Sunday night with the Concert for Legends.
FAN VOTE
For the eighth consecutive year, fans can vote for their favorite Pro Football Hall of Fame nominees. Fans should visit http://www.nfl.com/hofvote to make their picks. The Class of 2019 fan vote is presented by Ford, the Official Automobile of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame Game, Enshrinement Ceremony and the Concert for Legends, will be held in the world-class Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The venue is a key component of Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village that is currently under construction on the Hall’s campus.
2019 ENSHRINEMENT WEEK POWERED BY JOHNSON CONTROLS OFFICIAL TICKET PACKAGES
Official ticket packages for the 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls are on sale now at www.hofexperiences.com/ or by calling 844-751-0532. A variety of ticket packages, starting at $299, provide fans with VIP experiences, premium seating and parties with Hall of Famers. Packages range from event day offerings to four-day experiences that include a multitude of exclusive extras.
Individual tickets to the 2019 Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls will go on sale at a later date.
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