Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1999 celebrates 25-year anniversary
Hall of Famers
Published on : 7/19/2024
Five players with a Gold Jacket and a Bronze Bust are celebrating the silver anniversary of their election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as members of the Class of 1999: running back ERIC DICKERSON, offensive lineman TOM MACK, tight end OZZIE NEWSOME, offensive lineman BILLY SHAW and linebacker LAWRENCE TAYLOR.
Dickerson literally burst onto the scene in 1983. The second overall pick of that year’s NFL Draft, he rushed his way to an MVP title and the Rookie of the Year Award while setting rookie records for rushing attempts (380), rushing yards (1,808) and rushing touchdowns (18). Over the course of his 11 NFL seasons, Dickerson amassed 13,259 rushing yards, four rushing titles and 90 touchdowns. He ran for 1,200 or more yards in seven seasons and scored 10 or more touchdowns five times. Along with five All-Pro selections, Dickerson earned a spot on the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1980s and the NFL 100 All-Time Team. He still holds the record for most rushing yards in a season with 2,105 in 1984.
Mack often was considered the most reliable player on his team’s offensive line. He played 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and never missed a contest in his 184-game career. His speed as a guard made him a dominant force on outside runs and was one of the reasons he was a five-time All-NFL selection. Despite being the No. 1 overall pick in the 1966 NFL Draft, Mack didn’t enter the league with a guaranteed spot in the lineup. Rams head coach and future Hall of Famer GEORGE ALLEN preferred veterans to inexperienced players as his starters. Mack reached the top of the depth chart in his fifth game and remained the starter for the next 12 seasons, 11 of which ended with him named to the Pro Bowl.
Newsome helped redefine the position of tight end, finishing his career with 662 receptions for 7,980 yards and 47 touchdowns. His most productive season came in 1984, when he totaled 1,001 receiving yards on 89 catches with five touchdowns. Among the highlights that year, which ended with first-team All-Pro honors, were his 14 receptions for 191 yards against the New York Jets. Newsome started 191 of the 198 games he played, accumulating 50 or more receptions in six of his 13 seasons. From 1985 to 1989, he went 150 consecutive games with a reception, earning him one of his three Pro Bowl bids. Newsome was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1980s. He also won the “Whizzer White Award” in 1990 for his community service efforts.
Shaw became one of the most decorated offensive linemen in Buffalo Bills history, but he almost ended up in Dallas. He was drafted in 1961 by both the Bills in the AFL and the Cowboys in the NFL. Shaw was a highly skilled offensive and defensive lineman at Georgia Tech, and it was rumored he would be converted to linebacker in Dallas. Ultimately, Shaw chose the Bills because they allowed him to play offensive line, and his Bronze Bust proves he made the right choice. He started 116 of 119 career games and was named to eight Pro Bowls. Over the course of three seasons (1962-1964), the Bills became one of the most dominant lines in the league, setting several records, including most rushing touchdowns in a season. Shaw earned five consecutive first-team All-Pro selections (1962-66) from his guard position. A two-time AFL champion, he remains the only player enshrined in Canton to play his entire career in the American Football League.
Taylor stands alone in this class as the sole defensive player and the only player to hoist a pair of Vince Lombardi Trophies. He entered the league with a fury, setting his career-high in tackles (133) as a rookie. Taylor picked off nine passes for two touchdowns and recovered 11 fumbles in 184 games played. He was best known for rushing the passer. Named the AP Defensive Player of the Year three times, Taylor totaled 132.5 career sacks with three seasons of 15 or more. He earned eight first-team All-Pro selections. His best season came in 1986, when he became the second defensive player in NFL history to be named MVP after recording 20.5 sacks and disrupting offenses on a weekly basis. He was named to 10 Pro Bowls in his 13 seasons and secured spots on the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1980s and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Dickerson literally burst onto the scene in 1983. The second overall pick of that year’s NFL Draft, he rushed his way to an MVP title and the Rookie of the Year Award while setting rookie records for rushing attempts (380), rushing yards (1,808) and rushing touchdowns (18). Over the course of his 11 NFL seasons, Dickerson amassed 13,259 rushing yards, four rushing titles and 90 touchdowns. He ran for 1,200 or more yards in seven seasons and scored 10 or more touchdowns five times. Along with five All-Pro selections, Dickerson earned a spot on the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1980s and the NFL 100 All-Time Team. He still holds the record for most rushing yards in a season with 2,105 in 1984.
Mack often was considered the most reliable player on his team’s offensive line. He played 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and never missed a contest in his 184-game career. His speed as a guard made him a dominant force on outside runs and was one of the reasons he was a five-time All-NFL selection. Despite being the No. 1 overall pick in the 1966 NFL Draft, Mack didn’t enter the league with a guaranteed spot in the lineup. Rams head coach and future Hall of Famer GEORGE ALLEN preferred veterans to inexperienced players as his starters. Mack reached the top of the depth chart in his fifth game and remained the starter for the next 12 seasons, 11 of which ended with him named to the Pro Bowl.
Newsome helped redefine the position of tight end, finishing his career with 662 receptions for 7,980 yards and 47 touchdowns. His most productive season came in 1984, when he totaled 1,001 receiving yards on 89 catches with five touchdowns. Among the highlights that year, which ended with first-team All-Pro honors, were his 14 receptions for 191 yards against the New York Jets. Newsome started 191 of the 198 games he played, accumulating 50 or more receptions in six of his 13 seasons. From 1985 to 1989, he went 150 consecutive games with a reception, earning him one of his three Pro Bowl bids. Newsome was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1980s. He also won the “Whizzer White Award” in 1990 for his community service efforts.
Shaw became one of the most decorated offensive linemen in Buffalo Bills history, but he almost ended up in Dallas. He was drafted in 1961 by both the Bills in the AFL and the Cowboys in the NFL. Shaw was a highly skilled offensive and defensive lineman at Georgia Tech, and it was rumored he would be converted to linebacker in Dallas. Ultimately, Shaw chose the Bills because they allowed him to play offensive line, and his Bronze Bust proves he made the right choice. He started 116 of 119 career games and was named to eight Pro Bowls. Over the course of three seasons (1962-1964), the Bills became one of the most dominant lines in the league, setting several records, including most rushing touchdowns in a season. Shaw earned five consecutive first-team All-Pro selections (1962-66) from his guard position. A two-time AFL champion, he remains the only player enshrined in Canton to play his entire career in the American Football League.
Taylor stands alone in this class as the sole defensive player and the only player to hoist a pair of Vince Lombardi Trophies. He entered the league with a fury, setting his career-high in tackles (133) as a rookie. Taylor picked off nine passes for two touchdowns and recovered 11 fumbles in 184 games played. He was best known for rushing the passer. Named the AP Defensive Player of the Year three times, Taylor totaled 132.5 career sacks with three seasons of 15 or more. He earned eight first-team All-Pro selections. His best season came in 1986, when he became the second defensive player in NFL history to be named MVP after recording 20.5 sacks and disrupting offenses on a weekly basis. He was named to 10 Pro Bowls in his 13 seasons and secured spots on the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1980s and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
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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