Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2003 celebrates 20-year anniversary
Hall of Famers
Published on : 7/26/2023
The Class of 2003 marked the 40th year of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Within this class are four talented players and a remarkable coach. Canton welcomed this group to the Hall of Fame Family on Aug. 3, 2003.
Celebrating their 20th anniversary are running back MARCUS ALLEN, defensive lineman ELVIN BETHEA, offensive lineman JOE DeLAMIELLEURE, wide receiver JAMES LOFTON and head coach HANK STRAM.
Allen, a legendary halfback for both the Los Angeles Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs, was the No. 10 overall draft pick in 1982. After earning Rookie of the Year honors, he went on to set numerous records. He was named MVP of Super Bowl XVIII and was selected to six Pro Bowls.
Bethea not only helped make the Houston Oilers great, but the 1968 draft class as well. For nine consecutive seasons he played every game and earned eight Pro Bowl selections. He holds the sack record for the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans for both a single season and career.
DeLamielleure shined as an instrumental part in some of the greatest offensive units in history – as a member of both the “Electric Company” in Buffalo and “Kardiac Kids” in Cleveland. A six-time All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection, he was extremely reliable, playing 185 consecutive games in his 13 seasons. DeLamielleure is a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1970s and helped lead the way for the first 2,000-yard rusher.
Lofton established himself as not only a great receiver, but also a phenomenal athlete. The overall No. 6 pick in 1978, he joined Green Bay after earning All-American status in track and winning the NCAA long jump title at Stanford. Lofton’s greatness transcended eras; he became the first player to score a touchdown in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, as well as being selected to the Pro Bowl at least once in each era.
A perennial winner, Stram took passion in doing so. He began his career with the Dallas Texans, who became Kansas City Chiefs in 1963. He won the 1962 AFL Championship as the Texans’ head coach. Stram elevated strategy on both sides of the ball, including developing the “moving pocket” and “stack defense” to give opponents a different look and give his team opportunities to win games.
Celebrating their 20th anniversary are running back MARCUS ALLEN, defensive lineman ELVIN BETHEA, offensive lineman JOE DeLAMIELLEURE, wide receiver JAMES LOFTON and head coach HANK STRAM.
Allen, a legendary halfback for both the Los Angeles Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs, was the No. 10 overall draft pick in 1982. After earning Rookie of the Year honors, he went on to set numerous records. He was named MVP of Super Bowl XVIII and was selected to six Pro Bowls.
Bethea not only helped make the Houston Oilers great, but the 1968 draft class as well. For nine consecutive seasons he played every game and earned eight Pro Bowl selections. He holds the sack record for the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans for both a single season and career.
DeLamielleure shined as an instrumental part in some of the greatest offensive units in history – as a member of both the “Electric Company” in Buffalo and “Kardiac Kids” in Cleveland. A six-time All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection, he was extremely reliable, playing 185 consecutive games in his 13 seasons. DeLamielleure is a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1970s and helped lead the way for the first 2,000-yard rusher.
Lofton established himself as not only a great receiver, but also a phenomenal athlete. The overall No. 6 pick in 1978, he joined Green Bay after earning All-American status in track and winning the NCAA long jump title at Stanford. Lofton’s greatness transcended eras; he became the first player to score a touchdown in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, as well as being selected to the Pro Bowl at least once in each era.
A perennial winner, Stram took passion in doing so. He began his career with the Dallas Texans, who became Kansas City Chiefs in 1963. He won the 1962 AFL Championship as the Texans’ head coach. Stram elevated strategy on both sides of the ball, including developing the “moving pocket” and “stack defense” to give opponents a different look and give his team opportunities to win games.
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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