Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2014 celebrates 10-year anniversary
Hall of Famers
Published on : 7/25/2024
As the Pro Football celebrates special anniversary classes this year, attention moves to the 10-year Class of 2014: linebacker DERRICK BROOKS, punter RAY GUY, defensive end CLAUDE HUMPHREY, tackle WALTER JONES, wide receiver ANDRE REED, defensive end MICHAEL STRAHAN and defensive back AENEAS WILLIAMS.
Brooks played 14 seasons in Tampa, where he never missed a game in 224 outings for the Buccaneers. As the 28th overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft, the three-time All-American from Florida State stayed in the Sunshine State to shore up the Bucs’ defense. His first season as a pro, Brooks was named to the All-Rookie team after recording 80 tackles, second on his team. In 1997, he was named to his first of 11 Pro Bowls. In 2002, he was named AP Defensive Player of the Year after stacking up 173 tackles, five interceptions with three going the distance, 15 passes defended, a fumble recovery for a touchdown plus a sack. Brooks was named a first-team All-Pro five times, finishing his career with 25 interceptions for 530 return yards and six scores. He also recorded a 44-yard pick-six in Super Bowl XXXVII. Brooks earned spots on the NFL’s All-Decade team of the 2000s and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Guy remains the only punter to be drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft, taken with the 23rd overall pick in 1973. He also is the only primary punter in the Hall of Fame. Over 14 seasons, he played 207 games with the Raiders in Oakland and Los Angeles. He was named a first-team All-Pro three times and had a career average of 42.4 yards per punt. With 1,049 punts in his career, Guy totaled 44,493 yards and is credited with 209 “inside the 20” punts, which put the opposing offense at a disadvantage in a game. He averaged 40 or more yards per punt in 13 of his 14 seasons – falling short only in 1982, when he averaged 39.1. Guy was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1970s, earned seven Pro Bowls invitations and won three punting titles. In his 1,000-plus attempts, opponents blocked a Guy punt only three times. His consecutive streak of 619 punts without a block went from 1979 until his retirement in 1986. It was the second longest streak in NFL history.
Humphrey, another 14-year veteran, went third overall to the Falcons in the NFL Draft. As a fresh face in the league, he unleashed his devastating pass rushing abilities on opposing quarterbacks with 11.5 sacks as a rookie. Humphrey was named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1968 enroute to a flurry of other honors throughout his career. Over 171 games, he recorded 122 sacks (an unofficial stat until 1982). He earned eight Pro Bowl bids and was named a first-team All-Pro twice. He led his team in sacks in nine of his 14 seasons, and even when he wasn’t at the top of the leaderboard, he still had a major impact. In 1979, Humphrey finished second in sacks but registered 31 quarterback hurries. He followed up the 1979 season with 14.5 sacks, another team-high, in 1980. He missed only two games in his first seven seasons, but a 1975 knee injury kept him sidelined for the year. Humphrey bounced back impressively: He recorded a career-high 15 sacks in 1976.
Jones played 12 seasons in Seattle after joining the team as the sixth overall pick in 1997. He earned the starting left tackle position in rookie minicamp and would earn All-Rookie honors thanks to his blindside protection of former teammate and future Hall of Famer WARREN MOON, the quarterback who led the Seahawks’ league-leading passing attack. Over 180 games, Jones was named first-team All-Pro four times. In 1999, he earned the first of his nine Pro Bowl selections and became the first Seahawk offensive lineman to be named to the all-star game. His exceptional run-blocking also made a major contribution to Shaun Alexander’s MVP season in 2005, when he rushed for a league-high 1,880 yards and 28 touchdowns toward the team’s 452 total points scored. Jones’ sustained success earned him a place on the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Reed had the longest career in the Class of 2014 – 234 games over 16 seasons. The Buffalo Bills selected him in the fourth round (86th overall) of the 1985 NFL Draft. By his second season, he led the Bills in catches (53) and receiving touchdowns (seven). He was named to seven Pro Bowls, thanks in part to his elevated ability to extend the play past the initial reception. His elusiveness and speed with the football earned him the nickname “YAC” meaning yards after catch. Reed’s impact in Buffalo was so profound, many of his team records still hold up even in this pass-dominated era: receptions (941), receiving yards (13,095), receiving touchdowns (86) and games played (221). Reed retired with 951 career catches (second most in NFL history) for 13,198 yards and 87 receiving touchdowns.
The New York Giants drafted Strahan in the second round (40th overall) of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played 216 games over 15 seasons in the NFL. At Texas Southern, Strahan racked up 41.5 sacks. In the NFL, he registered 141.5 career sacks, earning him four first-team All-Pro selections. He was named to seven Pro Bowls. His best season statistically came in 2001; he set the single-season record for sacks with 22.5 and was named AP Defensive Player of the Year. Two years after his record-breaking season, he would again lead the league with 18.5 sacks. Over his tenure as a Giant, Strahan had 11 or more sacks in six seasons, four in a five-season span (2001-05). This dominant stretch helped him land a spot on the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s.
Williams led the NCAA in interceptions as a college walk-on, prompting the Cardinals to select him in the third round (59th overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft. In his first season, he picked off six passes, defended 17 and tackled 48 opponents to earn Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Over 14 seasons, he would pick off five or more passes six times. In the postseason, Williams set an NFL record with four consecutive playoff games with an interception. He also tied for the record of longest fumble return in NFL history with a 104-yard scoop and score over Washington in November 2000. In 211 games played, Williams intercepted 55 passes for 807 yards and nine scores. He also returned three fumbles for touchdowns. Williams was named a first-team All-Pro three times and received eight Pro Bowl bids in his career, seven as a cornerback and one as a safety. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s.
Brooks played 14 seasons in Tampa, where he never missed a game in 224 outings for the Buccaneers. As the 28th overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft, the three-time All-American from Florida State stayed in the Sunshine State to shore up the Bucs’ defense. His first season as a pro, Brooks was named to the All-Rookie team after recording 80 tackles, second on his team. In 1997, he was named to his first of 11 Pro Bowls. In 2002, he was named AP Defensive Player of the Year after stacking up 173 tackles, five interceptions with three going the distance, 15 passes defended, a fumble recovery for a touchdown plus a sack. Brooks was named a first-team All-Pro five times, finishing his career with 25 interceptions for 530 return yards and six scores. He also recorded a 44-yard pick-six in Super Bowl XXXVII. Brooks earned spots on the NFL’s All-Decade team of the 2000s and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Guy remains the only punter to be drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft, taken with the 23rd overall pick in 1973. He also is the only primary punter in the Hall of Fame. Over 14 seasons, he played 207 games with the Raiders in Oakland and Los Angeles. He was named a first-team All-Pro three times and had a career average of 42.4 yards per punt. With 1,049 punts in his career, Guy totaled 44,493 yards and is credited with 209 “inside the 20” punts, which put the opposing offense at a disadvantage in a game. He averaged 40 or more yards per punt in 13 of his 14 seasons – falling short only in 1982, when he averaged 39.1. Guy was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1970s, earned seven Pro Bowls invitations and won three punting titles. In his 1,000-plus attempts, opponents blocked a Guy punt only three times. His consecutive streak of 619 punts without a block went from 1979 until his retirement in 1986. It was the second longest streak in NFL history.
Humphrey, another 14-year veteran, went third overall to the Falcons in the NFL Draft. As a fresh face in the league, he unleashed his devastating pass rushing abilities on opposing quarterbacks with 11.5 sacks as a rookie. Humphrey was named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1968 enroute to a flurry of other honors throughout his career. Over 171 games, he recorded 122 sacks (an unofficial stat until 1982). He earned eight Pro Bowl bids and was named a first-team All-Pro twice. He led his team in sacks in nine of his 14 seasons, and even when he wasn’t at the top of the leaderboard, he still had a major impact. In 1979, Humphrey finished second in sacks but registered 31 quarterback hurries. He followed up the 1979 season with 14.5 sacks, another team-high, in 1980. He missed only two games in his first seven seasons, but a 1975 knee injury kept him sidelined for the year. Humphrey bounced back impressively: He recorded a career-high 15 sacks in 1976.
Jones played 12 seasons in Seattle after joining the team as the sixth overall pick in 1997. He earned the starting left tackle position in rookie minicamp and would earn All-Rookie honors thanks to his blindside protection of former teammate and future Hall of Famer WARREN MOON, the quarterback who led the Seahawks’ league-leading passing attack. Over 180 games, Jones was named first-team All-Pro four times. In 1999, he earned the first of his nine Pro Bowl selections and became the first Seahawk offensive lineman to be named to the all-star game. His exceptional run-blocking also made a major contribution to Shaun Alexander’s MVP season in 2005, when he rushed for a league-high 1,880 yards and 28 touchdowns toward the team’s 452 total points scored. Jones’ sustained success earned him a place on the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Reed had the longest career in the Class of 2014 – 234 games over 16 seasons. The Buffalo Bills selected him in the fourth round (86th overall) of the 1985 NFL Draft. By his second season, he led the Bills in catches (53) and receiving touchdowns (seven). He was named to seven Pro Bowls, thanks in part to his elevated ability to extend the play past the initial reception. His elusiveness and speed with the football earned him the nickname “YAC” meaning yards after catch. Reed’s impact in Buffalo was so profound, many of his team records still hold up even in this pass-dominated era: receptions (941), receiving yards (13,095), receiving touchdowns (86) and games played (221). Reed retired with 951 career catches (second most in NFL history) for 13,198 yards and 87 receiving touchdowns.
The New York Giants drafted Strahan in the second round (40th overall) of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played 216 games over 15 seasons in the NFL. At Texas Southern, Strahan racked up 41.5 sacks. In the NFL, he registered 141.5 career sacks, earning him four first-team All-Pro selections. He was named to seven Pro Bowls. His best season statistically came in 2001; he set the single-season record for sacks with 22.5 and was named AP Defensive Player of the Year. Two years after his record-breaking season, he would again lead the league with 18.5 sacks. Over his tenure as a Giant, Strahan had 11 or more sacks in six seasons, four in a five-season span (2001-05). This dominant stretch helped him land a spot on the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s.
Williams led the NCAA in interceptions as a college walk-on, prompting the Cardinals to select him in the third round (59th overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft. In his first season, he picked off six passes, defended 17 and tackled 48 opponents to earn Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Over 14 seasons, he would pick off five or more passes six times. In the postseason, Williams set an NFL record with four consecutive playoff games with an interception. He also tied for the record of longest fumble return in NFL history with a 104-yard scoop and score over Washington in November 2000. In 211 games played, Williams intercepted 55 passes for 807 yards and nine scores. He also returned three fumbles for touchdowns. Williams was named a first-team All-Pro three times and received eight Pro Bowl bids in his career, seven as a cornerback and one as a safety. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s.
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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