Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1973 celebrates 50-year anniversary
Hall of Famers
Published on : 7/7/2023
Ten years after the Pro Football Hall of Fame opened its doors, three remarkable professional football players were enshrined into the Hall of Fame on July 28, 1973. Each was a member of two NFL championship teams and selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1950s.
The Class of 1973 Enshrinement included end RAYMOND BERRY, guard/ tackle JIM PARKER and linebacker JOE SCHMIDT.
Berry compensated for his average size and speed with a relentless work ethic and precision route-running. By his own count, his repertoire of moves totaled 88, and opposing defensive backs would attest to his array of cuts, fakes and double-moves. A first- or second-team All-Pro choice from 1957 through 1961 and again in 1965 with the Baltimore Colts, he was selected to play in six Pro Bowls. Berry set a then-postseason record with 12 catches for 178 yards and a touchdown in the 1958 NFL Championship Game – the “Game of the Century” against the New York Giants – with many of the grabs in pivotal situations for his team. Berry also is a member of the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Splitting his career between left tackle and left guard, Parker’s career overlapped almost identically with Berry’s on the Colts. He dominated at both line positions in All-Pro fashion and proved to be a formidable force. In four consecutive seasons, (1958-1961) Parker earned All-Pro honors at left tackle. Moving to guard in 1962, he received All-Pro at both guard and tackle. For the next three years, Parker received the accolade at guard, for a total of eight All-Pro nods.
Schmidt earned the universal respect of his opponents and teammates as a defensive leader and captain in Detroit during an era in which the Lions were perennial contenders and two-time NFL champions. Schmidt accumulated numerous honors and awards: All-NFL 10 times, elected to the Pro Bowl 10 consecutive seasons (1955-1964) and the Lions’ Most Valuable Player four times. Schmidt largely impacted the growing value of the “defensive quarterback” and influenced how the game still is played today.
The Class of 1973 Enshrinement included end RAYMOND BERRY, guard/ tackle JIM PARKER and linebacker JOE SCHMIDT.
Berry compensated for his average size and speed with a relentless work ethic and precision route-running. By his own count, his repertoire of moves totaled 88, and opposing defensive backs would attest to his array of cuts, fakes and double-moves. A first- or second-team All-Pro choice from 1957 through 1961 and again in 1965 with the Baltimore Colts, he was selected to play in six Pro Bowls. Berry set a then-postseason record with 12 catches for 178 yards and a touchdown in the 1958 NFL Championship Game – the “Game of the Century” against the New York Giants – with many of the grabs in pivotal situations for his team. Berry also is a member of the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Splitting his career between left tackle and left guard, Parker’s career overlapped almost identically with Berry’s on the Colts. He dominated at both line positions in All-Pro fashion and proved to be a formidable force. In four consecutive seasons, (1958-1961) Parker earned All-Pro honors at left tackle. Moving to guard in 1962, he received All-Pro at both guard and tackle. For the next three years, Parker received the accolade at guard, for a total of eight All-Pro nods.
Schmidt earned the universal respect of his opponents and teammates as a defensive leader and captain in Detroit during an era in which the Lions were perennial contenders and two-time NFL champions. Schmidt accumulated numerous honors and awards: All-NFL 10 times, elected to the Pro Bowl 10 consecutive seasons (1955-1964) and the Lions’ Most Valuable Player four times. Schmidt largely impacted the growing value of the “defensive quarterback” and influenced how the game still is played today.
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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