Meet the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2021
The Pro Football Hall of Fame named eight new enshrinees for the class of 2021. They include:
Peyton Manning
Former Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was in his first year of eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. After 14 seasons with the Colts, Manning finished his career with the Broncos.
Manning played on two Super Bowl-winning teams, was a five-time MVP and a 14-time Pro Bowl selection. Manning earned Super Bowl MVP honors when the Colts won Super Bowl XLI. Manning threw for 71,940 yards and 539 touchdowns overall during his 17-year career.
Charles Woodson
Former Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers defensive back Charles Woodson was also in his first year of eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Woodson played 18 seasons between the Raiders and Packers.
Woodson was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and won a Super Bowl ring with the Packers in 2011. The defensive back finished his career with 65 interceptions, 33 forced fumbles and 20 sacks.
Calvin Johnson
Former Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson was in his first year of eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Johnson played nine seasons with the Lions before suddenly retiring at the age of 30. At 35 years old, Johnson will be the third player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at age 35 or younger.
Despite his successful career, Johnson only played in two postseason games. Johnson finished his career as the Lions' leader in receptions (731), yards (11,619) and receiving touchdowns (83).
John Lynch
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Denver Broncos defensive back John Lynch had been a finalist eight times before his enshrinement for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. After 11 seasons with the Buccaneers, Lynch finished the last four years of his career with the Broncos.
Lynch was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and helped the Buccaneers win a Super Bowl title in 2003. Lynch finished his career with eight seasons of 80 tackles or more.
Alan Faneca
Former offensive lineman Alan Faneca was a finalist five times before being selected as a member of the 2021 class. Faneca played 10 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, two with the New York Jets and one with the Arizona Cardinals.
Faneca helped the Steelers win the Super Bowl in 2006. Faneca was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and missed just one game throughout his career.
Drew Pearson
Former Dallas Cowboys receiver Drew Pearson was elected as a senior inductee after waiting 37 years since he retired from the NFL. Pearson played 11 seasons with the Cowboys before his career ended early due to a liver injury from a car accident.
Pearson was a first-team selection to the All-Decade team of the 1970s and helped the Cowboys win a Super Bowl in 1978. Pearson finished his career with 489 catches, 7,822 receiving yards and 48 touchdowns.
Tom Flores
Former Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks head coach Tom Flores was elected as the only coach finalist on the ballot this year. Flores also played nine seasons in the NFL, winning a Super Bowl with the Raiders in 1970.
Flores is one of two Hall of Famers to win a Super Bowl as a player and coach. Flores is the first Hispanic quarterback to win a Super Bowl and the first minority head coach to win a Super Bowl in NFL history. Flores went 97-87 as a NFL head coach and won two Super Bowls with the Raiders in 1981 and 1984.
Bill Nunn
Former Pittsburgh Steelers scout and personnel executive Bill Nunn was enshrined in the contributor category of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Nunn worked within the Steelers organization from 1968 until he died in 2014.
As a scout, Nunn contributed to six Super Bowl-winning teams that spanned more than 35 years in the NFL.
By the way, the Eagles dismissed the only coach who ever won them a Super Bowl.
J.J. Watt got his wish when he was released by the Houston Texans last week. So now what?
The Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to trade Carson Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts, according to a person familiar with the deal.
This time, the headline was too close to home. Too disturbing. Too shocking.