Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1979 celebrates 45-year anniversary
Hall of Famers
Published on : 7/10/2024
On July 28, 1979, four football legends were enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This summer marks the 45th anniversary celebration of the legacies of linebacker DICK BUTKUS, defensive back YALE LARY, offensive lineman RON MIX and quarterback JOHNNY UNITAS and the feats they accomplished in professional football.
Butkus is the only player in this class to be on two all-decade teams: the All-1960s and All-1970s teams. A five-time All-Pro, he earned his first selection as a rookie when he intercepted five passes and forced seven fumbles, earning him votes for AP Rookie of the Year. Butkus’ ability to cover sideline to sideline made him a premier defender in all facets of the game. An eight-time Pro Bowler, he played 119 games over nine seasons in a career shortened by knee injuries. Butkus picked off 22 passes for 166 return yards in his career and recovered 27 fumbles. While sacks were unofficial until 1982, he tore up the quarterback 11 times. By the time Butkus called it a career, his performance earned him a place on the NFL 75th Anniversary Team, the NFL 100 All-Time Team and first-ballot selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Another star from the NFL’s “Black and Blue” NFC North, Lary played 11 seasons for the Detroit Lions from 1952 to 1964. In his heyday, he was a stellar talent on defense and special teams. He started 129 of 133 career games. As he prowled the defensive backfield, he racked up 50 interceptions for 787 return yards and two touchdowns along with 13 fumble recoveries and another score. A three-time All-Pro, Lary also knew that creating turnovers wasn’t the only way to flip the field. He won three punting titles, averaging 44.3 yards per punt over his career. When he wasn’t pinning opponents deep in their own territory, he returned 176 punts for 758 yards and three touchdowns. His sustained excellence earned him a nod on the All-Decade Team of the 1950s team and nine Pro Bowls. He was a member of three NFL championship teams in a span of six seasons.
Mix started his journey in pro football at a crossroads. A standout offensive lineman, he was drafted in 1960 by the Los Angeles Chargers of the AFL and the Baltimore Colts of the NFL. Ultimately, Mix chose to play in Los Angeles because the Chargers made a larger offer for his services. A co-captain at USC, he didn’t skip a beat when he entered the professional ranks. He earned nine consecutive All-Pro honors from his rookie season in 1960 through 1968, also earning eight Pro Bowl nods in that span. Mix started 130 of the 142 games played in his 11 seasons. He was called for holding penalties only twice in his career and by his count allowed fewer than five sacks. Mix also earned the nickname “Intellectual Assassin” from his position coach for his cerebral play and because he attended law school at night while with the Chargers.
Unitas was named to the All-Decade Team of the 1960s along with the NFL’s 50th and 75th anniversary teams and NFL 100 All-Time Team for his accomplishments at quarterback. He was the first player to eclipse 40,000 passing yards, a feat more remarkable when weighed against the fact he came to the league as a ninth-round draft pick of the Steelers in 1955 and didn’t play in the NFL until 1956 with the Colts. He set the rookie record for completion percentage (55.6%) and led the NFL in passing yards (2,550), touchdown passes (24), yards per attempt (8.5) and passer rating (88.0) in Year 2. Unitas was a three-time MVP and NFL champion, and an eight-time All-Pro. He won four passing and touchdown passing titles along with two passer rating titles in his career. By the time Unitas was 34 years old, he already owned four of the NFLs all-time passing records. He led the Colts to victory in the 1958 NFL Championship Game over the New York Giants in front of a nationally televised audience. Unitas became a household name, and the contest later was dubbed “The Greatest Game Ever Played.”
Butkus is the only player in this class to be on two all-decade teams: the All-1960s and All-1970s teams. A five-time All-Pro, he earned his first selection as a rookie when he intercepted five passes and forced seven fumbles, earning him votes for AP Rookie of the Year. Butkus’ ability to cover sideline to sideline made him a premier defender in all facets of the game. An eight-time Pro Bowler, he played 119 games over nine seasons in a career shortened by knee injuries. Butkus picked off 22 passes for 166 return yards in his career and recovered 27 fumbles. While sacks were unofficial until 1982, he tore up the quarterback 11 times. By the time Butkus called it a career, his performance earned him a place on the NFL 75th Anniversary Team, the NFL 100 All-Time Team and first-ballot selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Another star from the NFL’s “Black and Blue” NFC North, Lary played 11 seasons for the Detroit Lions from 1952 to 1964. In his heyday, he was a stellar talent on defense and special teams. He started 129 of 133 career games. As he prowled the defensive backfield, he racked up 50 interceptions for 787 return yards and two touchdowns along with 13 fumble recoveries and another score. A three-time All-Pro, Lary also knew that creating turnovers wasn’t the only way to flip the field. He won three punting titles, averaging 44.3 yards per punt over his career. When he wasn’t pinning opponents deep in their own territory, he returned 176 punts for 758 yards and three touchdowns. His sustained excellence earned him a nod on the All-Decade Team of the 1950s team and nine Pro Bowls. He was a member of three NFL championship teams in a span of six seasons.
Mix started his journey in pro football at a crossroads. A standout offensive lineman, he was drafted in 1960 by the Los Angeles Chargers of the AFL and the Baltimore Colts of the NFL. Ultimately, Mix chose to play in Los Angeles because the Chargers made a larger offer for his services. A co-captain at USC, he didn’t skip a beat when he entered the professional ranks. He earned nine consecutive All-Pro honors from his rookie season in 1960 through 1968, also earning eight Pro Bowl nods in that span. Mix started 130 of the 142 games played in his 11 seasons. He was called for holding penalties only twice in his career and by his count allowed fewer than five sacks. Mix also earned the nickname “Intellectual Assassin” from his position coach for his cerebral play and because he attended law school at night while with the Chargers.
Unitas was named to the All-Decade Team of the 1960s along with the NFL’s 50th and 75th anniversary teams and NFL 100 All-Time Team for his accomplishments at quarterback. He was the first player to eclipse 40,000 passing yards, a feat more remarkable when weighed against the fact he came to the league as a ninth-round draft pick of the Steelers in 1955 and didn’t play in the NFL until 1956 with the Colts. He set the rookie record for completion percentage (55.6%) and led the NFL in passing yards (2,550), touchdown passes (24), yards per attempt (8.5) and passer rating (88.0) in Year 2. Unitas was a three-time MVP and NFL champion, and an eight-time All-Pro. He won four passing and touchdown passing titles along with two passer rating titles in his career. By the time Unitas was 34 years old, he already owned four of the NFLs all-time passing records. He led the Colts to victory in the 1958 NFL Championship Game over the New York Giants in front of a nationally televised audience. Unitas became a household name, and the contest later was dubbed “The Greatest Game Ever Played.”
2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame anniversary classes
- Pro Football Hall of Fame celebrates decades of football excellence
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1964 celebrates 60-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1969 celebrates 55-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1974 celebrates 50-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1979 celebrates 45-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1984 celebrates 40-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1989 celebrates 35-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1994 celebrates 30-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1999 celebrates 25-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2004 celebrates 20-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2014 celebrates 10-year anniversary
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