Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1968 celebrates 55-year anniversary
Hall of Famers
Published on : 7/5/2023
Marking the fifth anniversary of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s founding, a class composed of seven profound professional football players was enshrined Aug. 3, 1968. This class featured some of the most notable individuals who have shaped and molded the game into what we know today.
The Class of 1968 Enshrinement included halfback CLIFF BATTLES, defensive tackle ART DONOVAN, halfback/end ELROY (CRAZYLEGS) HIRSCH, end WAYNE MILLNER, fullback MARION MOTLEY, halfback/quarterback CHARLEY TRIPPI and center/linebacker ALEX WOJCIECHOWICZ.
Battles took the National Football League by storm, winning the rushing title in his rookie season (1932). His ability to rush a total of 3,511 yards in his career was a massive achievement in the 1930s. He received all-league honors for five consecutive years, and after his career with the Boston Braves/Washington Redskins was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1930s.
Donovan, an All-NFL and Pro Bowl choice in five consecutive seasons, carried the reputation of being almost impossible to trap or block during his career. Playing 12 seasons in the NFL and winning two titles, Donovan was the first member of the Baltimore Colts immortalized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Hirsch played the game in a fashion that would influence the way football is played today. His unique running style contributed to his nickname; his legs seemed to gyrate in six directions simultaneously while running downfield. Hirsch had numerous long-yardage touchdowns and established a new league record with 1,495 receiving yards in 1951. He also scored 17 touchdowns as the Rams won the title that season. “Crazylegs” Hirsch was later named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1950s.
Millner played his best when the stakes were the highest during his seven-year career, finishing with 124 receptions, 1,578 yards and 12 touchdowns. His career totals were the best for a Redskins player at the time of his retirement. A two-way star, Millner was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1930s.
Although Motley was 26 when he became a rookie for the Cleveland Browns, he entered the game shattering its racial barrier and became a trailblazer for the game. One of the “Forgotten Four,” he opened the door for other athletes of color to participate fully in professional football. Playing nine professional seasons, Motley amassed 4,720 yards on 828 carries with an impressive 5.7 yards-per-carry average. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1940s and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Another member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1940s, Trippi was regarded as one of the game’s most versatile athletes of all time who could (and would) do anything on the field. During his career, he played as a left halfback (four seasons), quarterback (two years), offensive halfback and occasionally punted for the Chicago Cardinals while excelling on the punt and kickoff return teams. Trippi was a crucial part in the Cardinals 1947 NFL Championship Game win, scoring twice (44-yard run and 75-yard punt return).
Wojciechowicz, the Detroit Lions No. 1 pick in 1938, started from his first game in the NFL. A two-time All-Pro selection, he was known as one of the last “ironmen” of football. On the field, he demonstrated leadership on both sides of the line, as a center and linebacker, helping the Philadelphia Eagles to three consecutive championship game appearances and back-to-back titles in 1948 and 1949. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1940s.
The Class of 1968 Enshrinement included halfback CLIFF BATTLES, defensive tackle ART DONOVAN, halfback/end ELROY (CRAZYLEGS) HIRSCH, end WAYNE MILLNER, fullback MARION MOTLEY, halfback/quarterback CHARLEY TRIPPI and center/linebacker ALEX WOJCIECHOWICZ.
Battles took the National Football League by storm, winning the rushing title in his rookie season (1932). His ability to rush a total of 3,511 yards in his career was a massive achievement in the 1930s. He received all-league honors for five consecutive years, and after his career with the Boston Braves/Washington Redskins was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1930s.
Donovan, an All-NFL and Pro Bowl choice in five consecutive seasons, carried the reputation of being almost impossible to trap or block during his career. Playing 12 seasons in the NFL and winning two titles, Donovan was the first member of the Baltimore Colts immortalized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Hirsch played the game in a fashion that would influence the way football is played today. His unique running style contributed to his nickname; his legs seemed to gyrate in six directions simultaneously while running downfield. Hirsch had numerous long-yardage touchdowns and established a new league record with 1,495 receiving yards in 1951. He also scored 17 touchdowns as the Rams won the title that season. “Crazylegs” Hirsch was later named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1950s.
Millner played his best when the stakes were the highest during his seven-year career, finishing with 124 receptions, 1,578 yards and 12 touchdowns. His career totals were the best for a Redskins player at the time of his retirement. A two-way star, Millner was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1930s.
Although Motley was 26 when he became a rookie for the Cleveland Browns, he entered the game shattering its racial barrier and became a trailblazer for the game. One of the “Forgotten Four,” he opened the door for other athletes of color to participate fully in professional football. Playing nine professional seasons, Motley amassed 4,720 yards on 828 carries with an impressive 5.7 yards-per-carry average. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1940s and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Another member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1940s, Trippi was regarded as one of the game’s most versatile athletes of all time who could (and would) do anything on the field. During his career, he played as a left halfback (four seasons), quarterback (two years), offensive halfback and occasionally punted for the Chicago Cardinals while excelling on the punt and kickoff return teams. Trippi was a crucial part in the Cardinals 1947 NFL Championship Game win, scoring twice (44-yard run and 75-yard punt return).
Wojciechowicz, the Detroit Lions No. 1 pick in 1938, started from his first game in the NFL. A two-time All-Pro selection, he was known as one of the last “ironmen” of football. On the field, he demonstrated leadership on both sides of the line, as a center and linebacker, helping the Philadelphia Eagles to three consecutive championship game appearances and back-to-back titles in 1948 and 1949. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1940s.
2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame anniversary classes
- Pro Football Hall of Fame celebrates decades of football excellence
- Pro Football Hall of Fame’s inaugural Class of 1963 celebrates 60-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1968 celebrates 55-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1973 celebrates 50-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1978 celebrates 45-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1983 celebrates 40-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1988 celebrates 35-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1993 celebrates 30-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1998 celebrates 25-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2003 celebrates 20-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2013 celebrates 10-year anniversary
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