Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2015 celebrates 10-year anniversary

By Ashley Veldheer
Pro Football Hall of Fame

Ten years ago on Aug. 8, 2015, eight football legends were enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The Class of 2015 was composed of six players and two contributors. 

This year we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the enshrinement of running back JEROME BETTIS, wide receiver TIM BROWN, linebacker and defensive end CHARLES HALEY, contributor BILL POLIAN, linebacker JUNIOR SEAU, guard WILL SHIELDS, center MICK TINGELHOFF and contributor RON WOLF. 



Nicknamed “The Bus” for his running style, Jerome Bettis at the time of his retirement was ranked fifth all-time in rushing with a total of 13,662 yards on 3,479 carries, scoring a total of 94 touchdowns. Bettis was more than just a generational rusher, he also amassed 1,449 yards on 200 receptions and three touchdowns throughout his career with the Steelers and Rams. Bettis earned Pro Bowl nods six times and first-team All Pro honors twice. He was named Rookie of the Year by numerous media outlets.

Developing into one of the greatest receivers of his era, Tim Brown not only found success as a receiver for the Raiders and Buccaneers but also as a kick returner and punt returner. Making first-team All-AFC six times, Brown received the accolade four times as a wide receiver, once as a kick returner and once as a punt returner. As a rookie, Brown led the NFL in kickoff returns with 41 for 1,098 yards and one touchdown. Starting in 1993, Brown recorded nine consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. For his career, he collected a total of 14,493 receiving yards, nine Pro Bowl berths and two first-team All-Pro honors.

Charles Haley became one of the NFL’s most devastating pass rushers during his career, which was split between the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys. During his 12-year career, he became the first player in NFL history to win five Super Bowls — two with the 49ers and three with the Cowboys. He was a member of 10 division championship teams. Pass rushing was his specialty at both the linebacker and defensive end position, and he amassed a total of 100.5 sacks. Haley earned five Pro Bowl nods, was named All-Pro twice and was the NFC Defensive Player of the Year twice. 

Known for rebuilding franchises into dominant playoff teams, Bill Polian spent 32 seasons in the National Football League. Polian served with the league office and various franchises. He is known for helping to turn around the fortunes of three teams, leading to a combined five Super Bowl appearances. He led the Buffalo Bills to three consecutive Super Bowl appearances, Carolina Panthers to an NFC Championship Game and the Indianapolis Colts to eight division championships and two Super Bowl appearances highlighted by a victory in Super Bowl XLI. Polian’s teams combined for a .625 regular-season winning percentage. 

Linebacker Junior Seau was voted to 12 Pro Bowls during his 20-year career. Seau helped lead the San Diego Chargers to their only Super Bowl appearance and was also a member of the New England Patriots team that played in Super Bowl XLII. Seau played in 268 games, recording 10 or more tackles in a regular season game 65 times with 56.6 sacks and 18 interceptions. Seau was also named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1992 by UPI and Football Digest and was the Chargers Most Valuable Player six times. 

Never missing a game during his 14-season career, guard Will Shields held franchise records for the Kansas City Chiefs with 224 games played and 223 starts. Shields earned 12 consecutive Pro Bowl nods, three first-team All-Pro honors, second-team four times and was named All-AFC seven times. With Shields as an anchor of the offensive line, the team had its best seasons led the NFL in total yards gained in 2004 and 2005. Shields later became a member of the NFL’s All-Decade team of the 2000s. 

Originally signing as a free agent out of the University of Nebraska, center Mick Tingelhoff earned a starting spot as a rookie with the Minnesota Vikings. Never missing a game, Tingelhoff started all 240 regular season games of his career, also playing in 19 playoff games. Tingelhoff helped guide the Vikings to four NFC championships and 10 divisional titles. Throughout his 17 years, Tingelhoff received six Pro-Bowl nods, was All-NFL seven times, All-Pro twice and was named to the 1,000-Yard Club as the NFL’s top blocker. 

Ron Wolf served in the league for almost four decades and made his mark as the longtime player personnel director for the Raiders and the Executive Vice President/General Manager for the Green Bay Packers. In his 23 years with the Raiders, they claimed 10 division titles, played in eight AFL/AFC championship games and three Super Bowls with victories in Super Bowl XV and XVIII. With the Packers, Wolf helped lead the team to its first divisional title in 23 seasons, with it later having two Super Bowl appearances and winning Super Bowl XXXI.