Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1989 celebrates 35-year anniversary
Hall of Famers
Published on : 7/15/2024
In 1989, two Steelers, a Raider and a Packer were enshrined as members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This year, on the 35th anniversary of the Class of 1989, the Hall of Fame celebrates the legacies of cornerback MEL BLOUNT, quarterback TERRY BRADSHAW, offensive tackle ART SHELL and safety WILLIE WOOD.
After an All-America campaign at Southern University, Blount was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1970 NFL Draft. He spent the next 14 seasons as one of league’s most ferocious cover cornerbacks. Blount played in 200 regular-season games with the Steelers and only had one season, the strike-shortened 1982 campaign, in which he suited up for less than 13 contests. He earned his way into the starting lineup by his third season, and in that year he picked off three passes, scooped up two of his 13 career fumble recoveries and didn’t allow a touchdown in coverage. In 1975, Blount was named the league’s defensive MVP and earned the first of four All-Pro selections by leading the NFL with a career-high 11 interceptions. A five-time Pro Bowler, Blount recorded an interception in every season, finishing his career with 57 for 736 return yards and two touchdowns. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1980s and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Bradshaw heard his name earlier than Blount in the 1970 NFL Draft: No. 1 overall after a standout career at Louisiana Tech. In 14 NFL seasons, Bradshaw led the Steelers to eight AFC Central Division titles, six AFC championships and four Super Bowl wins in a six-season span from 1974 to 1979. He completed 2,025 passes for 27,989 yards and 212 touchdowns in his career. In his four Super Bowl appearances, “The Blonde Bomber” threw for 932 yards and nine scores, statistics that earned him a pair of MVP honors (Super Bowls XIII and XIV). Bradshaw could also get it done with his legs. He rushed for 2,257 yards and 32 touchdowns with six seasons of 200 or more rushing yards in his first seven seasons. Interestingly, one of his lowest-output rushing seasons turned out to be one of his best overall. In 1978, Bradshaw won the Bert Bell Award and was named league MVP after leading the Steelers to a 14-2 record with a league-best 28 touchdown passes.
Shell played 15 seasons totaling 207 games, all with the Raiders. A four-time All-Pro, he came into the league as a third-round draft pick and became a starter by his third year in Oakland. Shell played 156 consecutive contests to begin his career, then another 51 in a row following a five-game injury absence. At offensive tackle, that durability is rare even in the modern era. Teaming with guard Gene Upshaw on the left side of the Raiders’ offensive line, Shell had the size to protect the quarterback and the quickness to lead sweeps for Raiders running backs. He was selected to eight Pro Bowls and was tabbed first- or second-team All-Pro each season from 1973 to 1978. His resume includes 23 postseason outings and eight AFL/AFC championship game and two Super Bowl victories (XI and XV). He was selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1970s and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Wood, the only undrafted player in the Class of 1989, was signed in 1960 by the Green Bay Packers, where he transitioned from college quarterback to a member of the secondary and soon into a player equally capable at free safety or strong safety. Over his 12 pro seasons, all in Green Bay, he intercepted 48 passes for 699 yards and two scores while racking up 16 fumble recoveries. In 1961, Wood led the league in punt return yardage, averaging 16.1 yards per return, and in 1962 he led the league with a career-high nine interceptions. He received All-NFL honors over nine consecutive seasons (1962 to 1970), was named to eight Pro Bowls and earned a spot on the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s. Wood played in six NFL championship games, winning five. Starting at free safety in Super Bowls I and II, his most famous play occurred when he intercepted Chiefs quarterback and future Hall of Famer, LEN DAWSON. His 50-yard return helped the Packers secure their victory in Super Bowl I.
After an All-America campaign at Southern University, Blount was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1970 NFL Draft. He spent the next 14 seasons as one of league’s most ferocious cover cornerbacks. Blount played in 200 regular-season games with the Steelers and only had one season, the strike-shortened 1982 campaign, in which he suited up for less than 13 contests. He earned his way into the starting lineup by his third season, and in that year he picked off three passes, scooped up two of his 13 career fumble recoveries and didn’t allow a touchdown in coverage. In 1975, Blount was named the league’s defensive MVP and earned the first of four All-Pro selections by leading the NFL with a career-high 11 interceptions. A five-time Pro Bowler, Blount recorded an interception in every season, finishing his career with 57 for 736 return yards and two touchdowns. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1980s and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Bradshaw heard his name earlier than Blount in the 1970 NFL Draft: No. 1 overall after a standout career at Louisiana Tech. In 14 NFL seasons, Bradshaw led the Steelers to eight AFC Central Division titles, six AFC championships and four Super Bowl wins in a six-season span from 1974 to 1979. He completed 2,025 passes for 27,989 yards and 212 touchdowns in his career. In his four Super Bowl appearances, “The Blonde Bomber” threw for 932 yards and nine scores, statistics that earned him a pair of MVP honors (Super Bowls XIII and XIV). Bradshaw could also get it done with his legs. He rushed for 2,257 yards and 32 touchdowns with six seasons of 200 or more rushing yards in his first seven seasons. Interestingly, one of his lowest-output rushing seasons turned out to be one of his best overall. In 1978, Bradshaw won the Bert Bell Award and was named league MVP after leading the Steelers to a 14-2 record with a league-best 28 touchdown passes.
Shell played 15 seasons totaling 207 games, all with the Raiders. A four-time All-Pro, he came into the league as a third-round draft pick and became a starter by his third year in Oakland. Shell played 156 consecutive contests to begin his career, then another 51 in a row following a five-game injury absence. At offensive tackle, that durability is rare even in the modern era. Teaming with guard Gene Upshaw on the left side of the Raiders’ offensive line, Shell had the size to protect the quarterback and the quickness to lead sweeps for Raiders running backs. He was selected to eight Pro Bowls and was tabbed first- or second-team All-Pro each season from 1973 to 1978. His resume includes 23 postseason outings and eight AFL/AFC championship game and two Super Bowl victories (XI and XV). He was selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1970s and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Wood, the only undrafted player in the Class of 1989, was signed in 1960 by the Green Bay Packers, where he transitioned from college quarterback to a member of the secondary and soon into a player equally capable at free safety or strong safety. Over his 12 pro seasons, all in Green Bay, he intercepted 48 passes for 699 yards and two scores while racking up 16 fumble recoveries. In 1961, Wood led the league in punt return yardage, averaging 16.1 yards per return, and in 1962 he led the league with a career-high nine interceptions. He received All-NFL honors over nine consecutive seasons (1962 to 1970), was named to eight Pro Bowls and earned a spot on the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s. Wood played in six NFL championship games, winning five. Starting at free safety in Super Bowls I and II, his most famous play occurred when he intercepted Chiefs quarterback and future Hall of Famer, LEN DAWSON. His 50-yard return helped the Packers secure their victory in Super Bowl I.
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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