A capsule look at the new members of the Pro Football Hall of
Fame:
Richard Dent
Defensive End
6-5, 265
1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles. … 15 seasons, 203 games.
Selected by Chicago in eighth round (203rd overall) of 1983 draft. … Became full-time starter early in 1984, beginning a 10-year period in which he made 10 or more sacks in eight of 10 seasons. … An intimidating player, could speed rush or power rush the quarterback. … Twice had 41/2 sacks in a game, both vs. Raiders (1984 and 1987). … One of game’s top pass rushers with 1371/2 career sacks, which ranked third all-time at his retirement. … Recorded double-digit sacks eight times, including streak of five consecutive years (1984-1988). … Led NFC with team record 171/2 sacks in 1984. … In following year, led NFL with 17 sacks as an integral part of Bears’ dominating defense. … Won Super Bowl MVP honors following Bears’ 46-10 win over Patriots in 1986. … Career statistics include eight interceptions (one touchdown), a safety, and fumble recovery for touchdown. … First- or second-team All-Pro four times, selected to play in four Pro Bowls.
Marshall Faulk
Running Back
5-10, 208
1994-98 Indianapolis Colts, 1999-2005 St. Louis Rams. … 12 seasons, 176 games.
Selected by Colts first round (second player overall) in 1994 draft. … Rushed for 143 yards, scored three touchdowns in rookie debut. … Finished season with 1,282 rushing yards and AFC-leading 11 TDs. … Also caught 52 passes for 522 yards and touchdown. … Named Rookie of the Year. … Rushed for 1,000 yards in seven of first eight seasons. … In 1999 became second in NFL history to eclipse 1,000-yard mark in both rushing and receiving and set then-record for yards from scrimmage (2,429) and was named NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year for first of three straight times. … Named NFL MVP in 2000 after setting single-season record for touchdowns (26) that included league-leading 18 rushing touchdowns. … Was first of two straight seasons he led NFL in scoring and touchdowns. … First-team All-Pro 1999, 2000, 2001. … Second-team All-Pro in 1994, 1995, 1998. … Voted to seven Pro Bowls. … All-AFC twice and All-NFC three times in career. … First player in NFL history to gain 2,000 yards from scrimmage in four straight seasons (1998-2001). … Retired as NFL’s ninth-ranked rusher (12,279 yards). … Recorded 767 receptions (16th all-time at retirement) for 6,875 yards, 36 touchdowns. … His 19,154 yards from scrimmage was sixth all-time.
Chris Hanburger
Linebacker
6-2, 218
1965-1978 Washington Redskins. … 14 seasons, 187 games.
Senior nominee. … Selected by the Redskins in 18th round (245th player overall) in 1965 NFL Draft. … Made mark as a rookie as big-play maker. … Was “defensive quarterback” and one of most dependable and steady linebackers of era. … An integral part of dominant Redskins teams of the 1970s. … Selected first-team All-NFL four times in five-season span (1972-76). … Named All-Eastern Conference, 1968 and 1969; All-NFC six times in seven seasons (1970-76). … Voted to nine Pro Bowls … Outstanding play in 1972 helped lead the Redskins to first Super Bowl berth. Recorded numerous game-changing plays throughout season as team won NFC East with 11-3 mark. Shared team lead with career-high four interceptions. … In all, Hanburger recovered three fumbles for touchdowns, an NFL record at time of retirement. … Also recorded 19 career interceptions for 347 yards and 2 TDs.
Les Richter
Linebacker
6-3, 238
1954-1962 Los Angeles Rams. … Nine seasons, 112 games.
Senior nominee. … Selected by New York Yanks in first round (second player overall) of 1952 draft. … Yanks folded two days after NFL Draft. … Team assets, including signing rights to Richter, were granted to expansion Dallas Texans. … Los Angeles Rams dealt 11 players to Texans to obtain Richter … Rams waited two years while Richter served in military. … Upon return signed with Rams and embarked on nine-season career that earned him reputation as one of the best linebackers of his era. … Known for rugged, punishing style of play. … Was selected to eight straight Pro Bowls, missing only final season in 1962. … Also named a first- or second-team All-NFL each season during a six-year span, 1955-1960. … Also saw some time at center and handled Rams place-kicking duties early in career. … Received much attention in 1955 for his play on defense as well as clutch place-kicking that helped Rams to 8-3-1 record and NFL Western Division crown and berth in championship game. … Led Rams in scoring, 1955 and 1956. … In all, totaled 193 points off of 29 field goals and 106 extra points during career. … Recorded 16 career interceptions for 206 yards. … Twice had four picks in a season (1957 and 1961) and was Rams leading interceptor in 1957. … Never missed a game during 112-game career.
Ed Sabol
Founder/President/Chairman NFL Films. 1964-1995.
Man behind idea of NFL Films. … Aspiring filmmaker, who at age 45 hatched idea of forming Blair Productions, a film company named after daughter. … In 1962 contacted NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle with offer to double $1,500 bid for rights to film 1962 NFL Championship Game. … Rozelle accepted and Sabol’s film company was off and rolling. … From start, incorporated unique creative angles inspired by his background in drama society at Ohio State and brief stint on Broadway. … Rather than single camera located high in stadium, Sabol added sideline camera to catch intensity of players. … Blair Productions continued to shoot NFL action for next two years before Sabol convinced NFL it needed own motion picture company. … With that, NFL Films was born. … Served as President until 1985 when he turned over role to son Steve. … Senior Sabol continued to serve as Chairman through his retirement in 1995. … During tenure, NFL Films won 52 Emmy Awards. … With Ed Sabols vision, NFL Films revolutionized manner in which sports are presented. … Firsts in film include use of microphone on coaches, referees and players; use of reverse-angle replay; adding popular music to footage; and popular bloopers videos. … Began producing weekly NFL highlight shows in the late 1960s, introduced first sports home video in 1980.
Deion Sanders
Cornerback/Kick Returner/Punt Returner
6-1, 195
1989-1993 Atlanta Falcons, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1995-99 Dallas Cowboys, 2000 Washington Redskins, 2004-05 Baltimore Ravens. … 14 seasons, 188 games.
Selected by Atlanta in first round (fifth player overall) of 1989 draft. … Returned punt 68 yards for touchdown in NFL debut. … Scored total of six touchdowns on punt returns, three TDs on kickoff returns, and returned nine interceptions for scores during career. … Multifaceted athlete returned one fumble for TD and had 60 receptions for 784 yards and 3 TDs. … In all, recorded 53 career interceptions including five with Ravens when he returned to field after three-year retirement. … Member of NFL’s All-Decade Team of 1990s as both cornerback, punt returner. … Led NFL in punt returns, 1998, with 15.6 average. … Led NFC in kickoffs in 1992 and interceptions in 1991, 1993. … Named first-team All-Pro nine times at cornerback along with receiving All-Pro as kick returner in 1992 and punt returner 1998. … Elected to eight Pro Bowls. … Retired second all-time in interception return yardage (1,331), tied for second for most interceptions returned for touchdown in a career (9) and a season (3). … His 303 yards gained on interception returns in 1994, third best in NFL at retirement. … In 1994 became first player to have two 90-yard interception returns for touchdowns in same season. … Named NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year, 1994.
Shannon Sharpe
Tight End
6-2, 230
1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos, 2000-01 Baltimore Ravens. 14 seasons, 204 games.
Selected by Denver in the seventh round (192nd overall) of 1990 draft. … At time of retirement, his 815 career receptions and 10,060 yards and 62 TDs were all NFL career records for a tight end. … His 214 receiving yards vs. Kansas City in 2002 is an NFL single-game record for a tight end. … Tied NFL record with 13 receptions in single postseason game (vs. Raiders, 1993). … Three times during career amassed over 1,000 yards receiving. … Earned first- or second-team All-Pro honors five times and first- or second-team All-AFC honors six times. … Selected to play in eight Pro Bowls (1993-1999, 2002). … In 1996 led all tight ends in receptions (80), receiving yards (1,062 yards), and receiving touchdowns (10). … Following season had career best 1,107 receiving yards for career best 15.4 yard average. … An integral part of Broncos’ 1998 and 1999 and Ravens’ 2001 Super Bowl championships.
Source: Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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AP-WS-02-05-11 1958EST
