Deion Sanders and Marshall Faulk headline a group of 7 announced yesterday as the NFL Hall of Fame class of 2011 Sanders and Faulk will be joined by Shannon Sharpe, Richard Dent, Ed Sabol, Les Richter and Chris Hanburger.
Sanders had one of the biggest mouths of all time, but is rightfully one of the great corners of the game as well. He was a a part of two Super Bowls and was once defensive player of the year. Marshall Faulk's list of credentials is even more impressive. He was rookie of the year, won an MVP, was offensive player of the year three times and won a Superbowl while with the Rams. He finished career 10th in all time rushing yards.
Shannon Sharpe is someone who people seem to forget was as good as he was. He won three Super Bowls with two different teams and when he retired held the all time record for receptions, yards, & TDs by a TE. A lot of what the modern version of the tight end is has to do with how dominant a weapon Sharpe was.
Richard Dent is the last modern era player of the class and is somewhat surprising to not already be in the hall. He won two Super Bowls and was the game's MVP in 1985. He was a key member of one the great defenses in NFL history with the Bears and had double digit sacks in 8 of his first 10 seasons as a starter.
Les Richter played LB, center & kicker for the Rams in the late 50s and early 60s, he passed away last year. Chris Hanburger played 14 seasons for the Redskins, making nine pro bowls.
Finally, Ed Sabol founded NFL Films in Mt. Laurel, NJ. For an organization so influential on the development and popularization of the NFL, it's kinda of a shock that Ed wasn't already in the hall. He told Paul Domowitch that it was a proud day.
``Today is a good ending,’’ Big Ed said over the phone from his home in Scottsdale, Arizona. ``I’m very proud. I’m especially proud of the people I worked with, people who worked so hard and so well. This is for them.’’