Capsule look at Hall of Fame Electees
A capsule look at those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
___
1977-2000 San Francisco 49ers.
Contributor. ... Purchased 49ers in 1977 with vision to create top-notch organization, on and off field. ... Known as a "players' owner," led franchise to unprecedented winning during tenure. ... In 1979, hired Bill Walsh as coach, drafted quarterback Joe Montana, and created atmosphere conducive to winning. ... DeBartolo infused team roster with talent that resulted in San Francisco enjoying amazing string of winning seasons: averaged 13 wins per season, including playoffs, during 1981-98 (not including strike-shortened 1982 season). During DeBartolo's ownership team claimed 13 division titles, made 16 playoff appearances, advanced to NFC championship game 10 times, and was first franchise ever to win five Super Bowls (16, 19, 23, 24, 29). ... Franchise posted best winning percentage in NFL in both the decades of the 1980s and 1990s. ... Was voted NFL Man of the Year by Football News, 1989, as nation's top sports executive. ... DeBartolo was also highly respected inside NFL circles and served on league's realignment and expansion committees.
___
1996-2001 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2002-08 Indianapolis Colts.
Took over Bucs team in 1996 that had 12 double-digit loss seasons in previous 13 years. ... By his second season, team finished 10-6 and earned a playoff berth. ... In 1999, Bucs posted 11-5 record and clinched franchise's first divisional title since 1981. ... Bucs made four trips to playoffs in his six seasons in Tampa Bay. ... Colts advanced to playoffs each season during his seven-year tenure. ... Indianapolis won 10 games his first year, 12 or more every season after. ... First African-American head coach to win Super Bowl (2006 vs. Chicago). ... Overall record as head coach, including playoffs, is 148-79-0. ... A mentor to players and coaches alike throughout football.
___
1991 Atlanta Falcons, 1992-2007 Green Bay Packers, 2008 New York Jets, 2009-2010 Minnesota Vikings. ... 20 seasons, 302 games.
First-year eligible. ... Drafted in second round in 1991 by Falcons. ... Traded to Green Bay following rookie season in which he had four pass attempts. ... Instantly became free-wheeling passer with Packers and threw more than 500 passes in 16 seasons. ... Threw for 3,000 yards in all but his first and last season. ... Had 4,000-yard season six times. ... Retired as NFL's all-time leading passer with 6,300 completions, 10,169 attempts, 71,838 yards and 508 TDs. ... Threw four or more TD passes in then-record 23 games. ... Established playoff records for attempts (791), completions (481), yards (5,855) and consecutive games with a TD pass (20). ... Led NFL in TD passes four times including three straight seasons (1995-97). ... First-team All-Pro three straight seasons; second-team All-Pro twice. ... Selected to 11 Pro Bowls. ... Voted NFL's Most Valuable Player three consecutive times, 1995-97, was first player to win three MVP awards. ... Started in five NFC championship games. ... Threw pair of TD passes, added rushing TD to lead Packers to Super Bowl 31 victory. ... Member of NFL's All-Decade Team of 1990s.
___
1985-1992 Los Angeles Rams, 1993-95 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1996, 1998-99 Carolina Panthers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers. ... 15 seasons, 228 games.
Drafted by Rams in fifth round (113th overall) in 1985. ... Drafted as linebacker and played at that position for majority of his career. Saw some action at defensive end, mostly during his tenure with Rams. ... Had back-to-back seasons with career-best 16 1-2 sacks, 1988-89. ... Made 4 1-2 sacks in 1989 finale to clinch playoff spot for Rams. ... Double-digit sacks totals 10 seasons, tied for second all-time at retirement. ... 160 career sacks and led his team in sacks 11 times. ... Also had three safeties, 26 opponent fumble recoveries, and five interceptions. ... Five Pro Bowls, first-team All-Pro with Rams (1989), Steelers (1994) and Panthers (1996). ... NFL sacks titles in 1994 and 1996. ... Played in six conference championship games and one Super Bowl. ... NFL's All-Decade team of 1990s.
___
1996-2008 Indianapolis Colts. ... 13 seasons, 190 games.
Colts' first-round pick (19th player overall) in 1996. ... Three touchdowns in a game nine times. ... Eight straight years with 1,000-plus yards receiving, 10 or more TDs. ... Shattered NFL single-season reception record with 143 catches in 2002. ... Finished career with 1,102 receptions, 14,580 yards and 128 touchdowns. ... Finished second to Jerry Rice in league history in career receptions, most consecutive games with a reception (190), and most career 100-yards games (59). ... His yardage total ranked him fourth all-time and his career TDs (128) were ninth on the all-time list at the time of his retirement. ... In 158 games together with Peyton Manning, duo connected on 953 passes for 12,766 yards and 112 TDs, the most completions, yards and touchdowns by a tandem in NFL history. ... Eight Pro Bowls. ... All-Pro six times. ... NFL's All-Decade Team of 2000s.
___
1997-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Chicago Bears. ... 13 seasons, 169 games.
First-year eligible. ... Selected by St. Louis in first round (first player overall) of 1997 draft. ... First offensive lineman selected No. 1 overall since 1968. ... Mainstay on Rams' offensive line, he started all 16 games seven times during 13-season career. ... Blocked for three consecutive NFL MVPs (QB Kurt Warner, 1999, 2001, and RB Marshall Faulk in 2000). ... Anchored line that threw for more gross yards than any other team during his 12 seasons with team (50,770). ... Rams' offense threw for more than 3,000 yards in each of his 12 seasons with team. ... Seven times a Rams QB eclipsed 3,000-yard passing mark, including three surpassing 4,000 yards under his protection. ... Also blocked for seven 1,000-yard rushers. ... Seven-time Pro Bowl selection (2000-06). ... Five-time All-Pro selection (1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004). ... In 2000, anchored offensive line that helped offense produce most passing yards in NFL history. ... In 2001, capped off regular season by leading team to Super Bowl appearance.
___
1970-79 Oakland Raiders, 1980-81 Houston Oilers, 1982-84 New Orleans Saints. ... 15 seasons, 184 games.
Senior nominee. ... Left-handed passer known for exciting style. ... Drafted in second round in 1968 by Raiders. ... Joined team in 1970 and guided Oakland to winning records in each of his nine seasons as starter, including five straight division crowns. ... Traded to Houston and led Oilers to 11-5 mark, 1980. ... Compiled impressive .661 winning percentage. ... Totaled 27,938 yards and 194 touchdowns. ... Career completion percentage (59.85) ranked second all-time at retirement. ... Led Raiders to AFC title game each season from 1973-77. ... First quarterback since AFL-NFL merger to lead team to five consecutive conference championship games. ... Registered league-leading and career-best 103.4 passer rating, 1976. ... Guided Raiders to victory over Steelers in '76 AFC championship game and then win over Vikings in Super Bowl 11. ... Twice led NFL in TD passes (1974 and 1976). ... All-Pro and 1974 NFL MVP. ... Voted to four Pro Bowls. ... Selected to NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1970s.
___
1952-55 Detroit Lions, 1956-58 Washington Redskins. ... Seven seasons, 73 games.
Senior nominee. ... Selected by Detroit in second round (19th player overall) of 1951 draft. ... Anchor of dominant Lions team of that era. ... Suffered knee injury while preparing to play in the College All-Star game before joining Lions. Injury sidelined him for entire 1951 season. ... Took field following year, quickly established himself as team leader. ... Lions advanced to NFL championship game in first three seasons Stanfel played. ... Won back-to-back world titles 1952-53. ... Teammates recognized his outstanding play, choosing him team's Most Valuable Player in 1953 championship season. ... After four seasons in Detroit, was traded to Washington as part of blockbuster four-team deal. ... In Washington, was reunited with college coach and mentor Joe Kuharich. ... Played three seasons in Washington and continued to be regarded among NFL's elite players. ... While still at top of his game, retired at age 31 to pursue coaching career. ... Followed Kuharich to Notre Dame as an assistant coach before embarking on lengthy NFL coaching career. ... Earned first-team All-Pro honors in five of seven seasons, including all three years with Redskins. ... Voted to four Pro Bowls. ... Chosen for NFL's All-Decade Team of 1950s.
___
Source: Pro Football Hall of Fame.