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Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2016 celebrates 10-year anniversary 

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Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Dungy.Credit: Associated Press

On Aug. 6, 2016, eight of football’s finest (six players, one coach and one contributor) were enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Class of 2016, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, includes contributor EDWARD DeBARTOLO JR., coach TONY DUNGY, quarterback BRETT FAVRE, pass rusher KEVIN GREENE, wide receiver MARVIN HARRISON, offensive lineman ORLANDO PACE, quarterback KEN STABLER and offensive lineman DICK STANFEL.

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DeBartolo purchased the San Francisco 49ers in 1977 more than 30 years after the franchise was founded. Prior to his coming, San Francisco had won zero Super Bowls. Over the next 23 years of DeBartolo’s ownership, the 49ers accumulated five Super Bowl wins, 13 NFC West division titles and 16 playoff appearances. In 1989, DeBartolo was named NFL Man of the Year by the Football News. His work as a sports executive has had a lasting impact on the 49ers franchise.  

Following his NFL career as a defensive back, Dungy entered the coaching world. His first head coaching job came with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1996. He coached the Buccaneers to four playoff appearances in six seasons. Dungy was later hired by the Indianapolis Colts, who he led to the playoffs in every year of his tenure and captured a championship in Super Bowl XLI. He was the first African American head coach to win a Super Bowl.  

Favre had a storied career in football. In Green Bay, he led the Packers to two Super Bowl appearances and a championship in Super Bowl XXXI. Favre is considered to be one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the league, throwing for a total of 71,838 yards (fourth all-time) and 508 touchdowns (fifth all-time).  

Greene set the standard for linebackers and defensive ends in the NFL. He posted double-digit sack totals ten times in his 14-year career and was named to the Pro Bowl five times. When he retired following the 1999 season, Greene had 160 sacks, which ranked third all-time.  

One of Hall of Famer PEYTON MANNING’S favorite targets, Harrison was nothing short of elite in the NFL. The Syracuse alum recorded 1,000 or more receiving yards and 10 or more touchdowns in eight consecutive years (1999-2006). He also hit the 15-touchdown mark twice in his career (2001, 2004). Harrison was a six-time All-Pro, eight-time All-AFC selection and a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s. 

Pace was a cornerstone to the dynamic St. Louis Rams offense dubbed the “Greatest Show on Turf.” He was of the best offensive linemen of his era and helped lead the Rams to two Super Bowl appearances, including a championship in Super Bowl XXXIV against the Tennessee Titans. He played alongside Hall of Famers KURT WARNER and MARSHALL FAULK, among others. He was drafted and coached by Hall of Fame coach DICK VERMEIL.

When Stabler become the Oakland Raiders’ starter in 1973, he took the league by storm. He led the Raiders to five consecutive AFC title games and seven consecutive winning seasons after earning the starting job. In 10 seasons with the Raiders, Stabler was named 1974 AFC Player of the Year and earned four Pro Bowl selections. When he retired after 15 seasons, he had 27,938 passing yards and 2,270 completed passes.  

Stanfel was an inspirational offensive lineman and gave his life to football. He helped lead the Detroit Lions to three straight NFL championships, including back-to-back titles in 1952 and 1953. After the 1953 season, he was awarded the team’s Most Valuable Player. Stanfel totaled five first-team All-Pro honors and four Pro Bowls during his Hall of Fame career.

2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame anniversary classes

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