Hall Of Fame Class of 2010

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Feb 8, 2010

Hall Of Fame Class of 2010

Jerry Rice (1985-2004)

Arguably the greatest player in NFL history, Jerry Rice owns virtually every receiving record -- including receiving yards (22,895), receptions (1,549), 1,000-yard seasons (14), touchdowns (208) and net yards (23,546). He also owns three Super Bowl rings, including one MVP (Super Bowl XXIII).

Emmitt Smith (1990-2004)

Originally dismissed as too slow and too small for the NFL, Emmitt Smith dominated the league from day one, earning rushing titles in 1991-93 and '95. The three-time Super Bowl champion also holds the league's all-time record for rushing yards (18,355) and rushing TDs (164). In the 1993 season, Smith captured a rare double-double of NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP.

Rickey Jackson (1981-1995)

A six-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro, Jackson is likely the greatest Saints defender in the franchise's 43-year history. Perhaps more importantly, New Orleans finished with a .500 or better record in Jackson's final seven seasons with the club. In all, Jackson accumulated 128 career sacks and won one Super Bowl title (49ers for the 1994 season).

Russ Grimm (1981-91)

Grimm is the first member of the Redskins' famed "Hogs" to make the Hall of Fame. In his illustrious career, the converted O-guard won three Super Bowl rings and made the Pro Bowl in four consecutive seasons (1983-86). Grimm is also a member of the 1980s All-Decade Team.

John Randle (1990-2003)

Originally signed by the Vikings as an undrafted free agent, Randle amassed 137.5 career sacks -- which includes eight consecutive 10-sack seasons (1992-99) and a ninth in 2001. In 1997, Randle posted a career-best and league-leading 15 1/2 sacks, and career-high 71 tackles (39 solo). With Minnesota and Seattle, Randle -- a seven-time Pro Bowler -- was named first-team All-Pro/All-NFC six consecutive years (1993-98) and once All-AFC with Seahawks (2001).

Floyd Little (1967-75)

Little only posted one 1,000-yard season in his nine-year career (1971), but he amassed more than 12,000 all-purpose yards and 54 touchdowns before the NFL became a league of specialization. Little was elected into the Hall as a senior candidate.

Dick LeBeau (1959-72 - player; 1973-2009 - coach)

LeBeau has had an uninterrupted association with the NFL since 1959 -- first as a top-flight cornerback for 14 seasons (at one time, forming the best cornerback duo, along with Dick "Night Train" Lane) -- and then as a peerless coach with the Eagles, Packers, Bengals, Bills and Steelers. LeBeau is also credited with inventing the "zone blitz," perhaps the most significant defensive innovation of the last 30 years.