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Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1996 celebrates 30-year anniversary

By: Andy Caron/Pro Football Hall of Fame
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Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Charlie JoinerCredit: Associated Press file photo

On July 27, 1996, five greats (four players and one coach) were enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Class of 1996, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, includes offensive linemen LOU CREEKMUR and DAN DIERDORF, coach JOE GIBBS, wide receiver CHARLIE JOINER and defensive back MEL RENFRO.

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Creekmur is known as one of the best blockers in NFL history. He joined the Detroit Lions in 1950 and helped lead the team to NFL Championships in 1952, 1953 and 1957. Creekmur was one of the most durable players in the league, logging more than 165 consecutive game appearances. In his ten seasons in the NFL, he earned six All-NFL and eight Pro Bowl selections.

Dierdorf was one of the most impressive offensive linemen of his time and earned his way back to Canton, the place where he was born. Dierdorf was the leader of a Cardinals offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the NFC for five consecutive years in the 1970s. He later moved from right tackle to center, where he proved to be a force against opposing nose tackles. In his 13 seasons in the NFL, he was selected to six Pro Bowls and five All-Pro teams.

In Gibbs’ 16 seasons as a head coach in Washington, he won three of his four Super Bowl appearances and compiled a 154-94 regular-season record. He is the only coach in the history of the NFL to have won three Super Bowls with three different quarterbacks. He won Super Bowl XVII with Joe Theismann, Super Bowl XXII with Doug Williams and Super Bowl XXVI with Mark Rypien. At the time of his enshrinement, Gibbs’ combined winning percentage (.683) was bested only by Hall of Fame coaches VINCE LOMBARDI (.740) and JOHN MADDEN (.731).

Joiner was one of the most accomplished pass-catchers in the history of the league. In 10 of his 18 seasons, he recorded at least 600 receiving yards. During his time with the San Diego Chargers, he teamed up with Hall of Fame quarterback DAN FOUTS to generate one of the most dynamic offenses in the league in the "Air Coryell" vertical system. Joiner missed only one game in his final 13 seasons and, at the time of his retirement, he ranked No. 1 all-time in receptions (750) and receiving yards (12,146).

Renfro came into the league as a consensus All-American halfback from the University of Oregon, but he found his success as a cornerback and returner. During his rookie year with the Dallas Cowboys, he recorded a team-high seven interceptions while leading the NFL in both punt return yards (418) and kickoff return (1,017) yards. He continued his defensive brilliance throughout the rest of his career, intercepting 52 passes and totaling more than 2,200 kickoff return yards. Renfro played in the Super Bowl four times in his 14-year career, walking away victorious in Super Bowls VI and XII.

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