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Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1991 celebrates 35-year anniversary

By: Andy Caron/Pro Football Hall of Fame
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Pro Football Hall of Fame lineman Stan JonesCredit: Associated Press file photo

On July 27, 1991, five game changers (four players and one contributor) were enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Class of 1991, celebrating its 35th year anniversary this year, includes halfback EARL CAMPBELL, offensive lineman JOHN HANNAH, lineman STAN JONES, contributor TEX SCHRAMM and kicker JAN STENERUD.

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Expectations were high for Campbell after being the first player picked in the 1978 NFL Draft, and he delivered immediately. As a rookie with the Houston Oilers, Campbell was selected as the Associated Press’ Offensive Player and Offensive Rookie of the Year after leading the league in rushing yards (1,450). Campbell led the NFL in rushing yards in each of his first three seasons, including his 1980 breakout campaign, when he rushed for 1,934 rushing yards, which then ranked second only to Hall of Famer O.J. SIMPSON's single-season rushing record. Campbell played just eight seasons in the NFL, but his career was highlighted by 74 total touchdowns and five Pro Bowl selections.

Coming out of Alabama, Hannah was heavily regarded as one of the best players in the 1973 NFL Draft. He was selected with the fourth overall pick by the New England Patriots. After getting injured in his rookie year, he spent the next 12 seasons of his career as one of the best offensive linemen in the league. From 1976 to 1985, he was named to 10 consecutive All-Pro teams and won the NFLPA’s Offensive Lineman of the Year award four consecutive years during that span. During Hannah’s tenure in New England, the Patriots boasted a 100-91 cumulative record and a Super Bowl XX appearance.

Jones was selected as a future draft choice in the 1953 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. He proceeded to earn consensus All-America honors on Maryland’s 1953 championship-winning team. He switched from offensive guard to tackle and was voted Chicago’s offensive captain in 1955. Jones was one of the most dependent players in the league, missing just two games in his first 11 seasons. In 1962, he transitioned to playing defense and was a part of a superb Bears defensive unit that won an NFL Championship in 1963. He spent the final year of his career in his home state of Maryland with the Washington Redskins and retired after 13 seasons.

Schramm spent 44 years in professional football, playing an immense role in the development of the sport. In the early years of his career, he worked his way up to the general manager role with the Rams before joining CBS as an assistant director of sports. At the Dallas Cowboys’ inception in 1960, Schramm joined the team and crafted the franchise into what it is today. His Cowboys teams competed in five Super Bowls and boasted 20 consecutive winning seasons. Dallas was victorious in two Super Bowls during his tenure (VI and XII). Schramm retired in 1990 after becoming one of the most well-known and successful sports executives in the world.

Stenerud was on a skiing scholarship at Montana State before being recruited by the university’s football coach to be a kicker. He kicked for two seasons with Montana State before being drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1966. Stenerud set the standard for placekickers in the NFL, totaling 1,699 points and 373 field goals. He also split the uprights on three field goals in Kansas City’s upset victory over the Vikings in Super Bowl IV. He kicked for the Chiefs for 13 years and finished his career in the NFC North, with stints in Green Bay and Minnesota.

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