Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1984 celebrates 40-year anniversary
Hall of Famers
Published on : 7/12/2024
Enshrined in Canton on July 28, 1984, the class composed of defensive back/cornerback WILLIE BROWN, offensive tackle MIKE McCORMACK, wide receiver CHARLEY TAYLOR and defensive tackle ARNIE WEINMEISTER this year celebrates its 40-year anniversary.
Undrafted out of college, Brown went on to secure a 16-year career in the NFL with the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders at cornerback. Before being traded to the Raiders in 1967, Brown tied an NFL record with four interceptions in a game against the New York Jets in 1964. Brown’s most memorable interception, however, came more than 10 years later in Super Bowl XI. His 75-yard pick-six placed No. 61 in NFL Films’ “100 Greatest Plays,” helping the Raiders to its first Super Bowl victory. Brown finished his career as a premier cornerback named to an all-league team seven times between the AFL and NFL, five AFL All-Star Games and four Pro Bowls. He was selected as a member of the All-AFL Team of the 1960s, the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1970s and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
One of the finest technicians at tackle, McCormack began his 10-year career with the New York Yanks before entering the military. When he returned, he found himself a member of the Cleveland Browns responsible for filling a crucial position in the 1954 season at defensive middle guard. McCormack’s most memorable defensive play came in the 1954 NFL Championship Game, when he stripped the ball from the Lions’ quarterback, setting up an early touchdown in Cleveland’s 56-10 win. In 1955, McCormack moved back to offensive tackle, where he remained in the Browns’ lineup until 1962, leading the balanced attack that put Cleveland at the top of the league in scoring twice and rushing yards once.
Taylor, the third overall pick in the 1964 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins, quickly became one of the league’s most versatile players. In his rookie season at halfback, he finished in the Top 10 in both rushing and receiving, the first rookie to accomplish the feat in 20 years, and earned Rookie of the Year honors from the Associated Press. In his third season, Taylor shifted to split end and led the league in receptions with 72, and he followed that season with a league-best 70 catches in 1967. From 1972 to 1975 Taylor averaged 54 catches per season. He contributed two catches for touchdowns in Washington’s 1972 NFC Championship Game win over the Dallas Cowboys. In his 13 years with the Redskins, Taylor’s 10,803 scrimmage yards and 90 total touchdowns earned him a place on the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s.
Known for his size and speed, Weinmeister dominated during his six seasons playing professional football at defensive tackle, marking one of the shortest careers among Pro Football Hall of Famers. After serving in the Army artillery in World War II and graduating from the University of Washington, Weinmeister caught the attention of the New York Yankees of the All-America Football Conference in 1948, where he would play two seasons. Joining the Giants in 1950, Weinmeister was a unanimous All-NFL choice and Pro Bowl selection all four of his seasons in New York. In his final season, Weinmeister was named Giants co-captain as a natural team leader and strong defensive mind.
Undrafted out of college, Brown went on to secure a 16-year career in the NFL with the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders at cornerback. Before being traded to the Raiders in 1967, Brown tied an NFL record with four interceptions in a game against the New York Jets in 1964. Brown’s most memorable interception, however, came more than 10 years later in Super Bowl XI. His 75-yard pick-six placed No. 61 in NFL Films’ “100 Greatest Plays,” helping the Raiders to its first Super Bowl victory. Brown finished his career as a premier cornerback named to an all-league team seven times between the AFL and NFL, five AFL All-Star Games and four Pro Bowls. He was selected as a member of the All-AFL Team of the 1960s, the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1970s and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
One of the finest technicians at tackle, McCormack began his 10-year career with the New York Yanks before entering the military. When he returned, he found himself a member of the Cleveland Browns responsible for filling a crucial position in the 1954 season at defensive middle guard. McCormack’s most memorable defensive play came in the 1954 NFL Championship Game, when he stripped the ball from the Lions’ quarterback, setting up an early touchdown in Cleveland’s 56-10 win. In 1955, McCormack moved back to offensive tackle, where he remained in the Browns’ lineup until 1962, leading the balanced attack that put Cleveland at the top of the league in scoring twice and rushing yards once.
Taylor, the third overall pick in the 1964 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins, quickly became one of the league’s most versatile players. In his rookie season at halfback, he finished in the Top 10 in both rushing and receiving, the first rookie to accomplish the feat in 20 years, and earned Rookie of the Year honors from the Associated Press. In his third season, Taylor shifted to split end and led the league in receptions with 72, and he followed that season with a league-best 70 catches in 1967. From 1972 to 1975 Taylor averaged 54 catches per season. He contributed two catches for touchdowns in Washington’s 1972 NFC Championship Game win over the Dallas Cowboys. In his 13 years with the Redskins, Taylor’s 10,803 scrimmage yards and 90 total touchdowns earned him a place on the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s.
Known for his size and speed, Weinmeister dominated during his six seasons playing professional football at defensive tackle, marking one of the shortest careers among Pro Football Hall of Famers. After serving in the Army artillery in World War II and graduating from the University of Washington, Weinmeister caught the attention of the New York Yankees of the All-America Football Conference in 1948, where he would play two seasons. Joining the Giants in 1950, Weinmeister was a unanimous All-NFL choice and Pro Bowl selection all four of his seasons in New York. In his final season, Weinmeister was named Giants co-captain as a natural team leader and strong defensive mind.
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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