Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1978 celebrates 45-year anniversary
Hall of Famers
Published on : 7/10/2023
On July 29, 1978, five decorated individuals were enshrined in Canton, Ohio, forever cementing their legacies among the greatest of the game. The Class of 1978, celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, had ties in professional football dating to 1936.
Enshrined that summer were flanker LANCE ALWORTH, coach WEEB EWBANK, halfback/fullback ALPHONSE “TUFFY” LEEMANS, middle linebacker RAY NITSCHKE and safety LARRY WILSON.
Alworth became the first AFL player to be immortalized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, following his legacy-leaving career with the San Diego Chargers. His accomplishments included seven consecutive All-AFL honors, playing in the AFL’s last seven All-Star Games and appearing in three AFL title games. Later an instrumental member of the Dallas Cowboys’ 1971 team, Alworth caught two passes and scored the first touchdown in the team’s victory in Super Bowl VI. He is a member of the AFL All-Decade Team of the 1960s and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Ewbank proved himself to be one of the most astounding coaches in professional football, coaching for 20 seasons and winning 130 games. He is the only coach to lead teams from both the National Football League and American Football League to world championships. Ewbank’s Colts won NFL crowns in both 1958 and 1959, and the 1968 Jets followed up their AFL championship with a stunning victory (ironically, over the Colts) in Super Bowl III.
As a rookie in 1936, Leemans led the league in rushing with 830 yards and was the only first-year player to earn all-league honors that season. During his eight-year career, he was named first- or second-team all-league from 1936 to 1942. Leemans did it all, running for 3,132 yards and 17 touchdowns, amassing 28 receptions for 422 yards for three scores and passing for 2,318 yards 25 touchdowns. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1930s.
Considered by many as the “core of the Packers,” Nitschke displayed his fierce competitiveness on every down. He became one of the most highly respected players in the league, earning first- or second-team All-NFL honors seven times and was recognized as one of the top middle linebackers to play in the NFL. The No. 3 pick in 1958, he was known as a hard-hitting tackler but also as an excellent defender in coverage, totaling 25 interceptions. He won five NFL titles with the Packers (and the first two Super Bowls) and was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s.
Wilson anchored the St. Louis Cardinals’ defense in the 1960s, mastering the safety blitz and redefining his position. Although he did not create the safety blitz, Wilson capitalized on the maneuver and was named first- or second-team All-NFL seven times. A seventh-round pick, Wilson recorded 52 career interceptions, including five pick-sixes over his 13-year career. In 1966, he intercepted a pass in six consecutive games on his way to a league-best 10 interceptions. He was selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s and NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Enshrined that summer were flanker LANCE ALWORTH, coach WEEB EWBANK, halfback/fullback ALPHONSE “TUFFY” LEEMANS, middle linebacker RAY NITSCHKE and safety LARRY WILSON.
Alworth became the first AFL player to be immortalized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, following his legacy-leaving career with the San Diego Chargers. His accomplishments included seven consecutive All-AFL honors, playing in the AFL’s last seven All-Star Games and appearing in three AFL title games. Later an instrumental member of the Dallas Cowboys’ 1971 team, Alworth caught two passes and scored the first touchdown in the team’s victory in Super Bowl VI. He is a member of the AFL All-Decade Team of the 1960s and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Ewbank proved himself to be one of the most astounding coaches in professional football, coaching for 20 seasons and winning 130 games. He is the only coach to lead teams from both the National Football League and American Football League to world championships. Ewbank’s Colts won NFL crowns in both 1958 and 1959, and the 1968 Jets followed up their AFL championship with a stunning victory (ironically, over the Colts) in Super Bowl III.
As a rookie in 1936, Leemans led the league in rushing with 830 yards and was the only first-year player to earn all-league honors that season. During his eight-year career, he was named first- or second-team all-league from 1936 to 1942. Leemans did it all, running for 3,132 yards and 17 touchdowns, amassing 28 receptions for 422 yards for three scores and passing for 2,318 yards 25 touchdowns. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1930s.
Considered by many as the “core of the Packers,” Nitschke displayed his fierce competitiveness on every down. He became one of the most highly respected players in the league, earning first- or second-team All-NFL honors seven times and was recognized as one of the top middle linebackers to play in the NFL. The No. 3 pick in 1958, he was known as a hard-hitting tackler but also as an excellent defender in coverage, totaling 25 interceptions. He won five NFL titles with the Packers (and the first two Super Bowls) and was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s.
Wilson anchored the St. Louis Cardinals’ defense in the 1960s, mastering the safety blitz and redefining his position. Although he did not create the safety blitz, Wilson capitalized on the maneuver and was named first- or second-team All-NFL seven times. A seventh-round pick, Wilson recorded 52 career interceptions, including five pick-sixes over his 13-year career. In 1966, he intercepted a pass in six consecutive games on his way to a league-best 10 interceptions. He was selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s and NFL 100 All-Time Team.
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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