The day before the Super Bowl, the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee holds their annual elections from a field of nominated candidates. This year, seven legendary NFL greats were selected and will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Aug. 7, 2010.
Leading the Class of 2010 is all-time rushing leader Emmitt Smith from the Dallas Cowboys, and wide receiver Jerry Rice from the San Francisco 49ers. Smith played in the NFL for 15 years before retiring with the Arizona Cardinals in his final year when he broke Walter Payton’s all-time rushing record.
“This moment is [surreal],” said Smith after the announcement. “You know you try to grasp the magnitude of this, but when you’re sitting back there, waiting on your name to be called it’s just [surreal]. So it’s just special.”
Jerry Rice, who holds almost every significant record for wide receivers, played 20 years in the NFL, 16 with the San Francisco 49ers. Smith spoke directly to Rice regarding their achievement.
“I tell you Jerry, I’m not going to make any bones about it, but my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has predestined us to be here at this moment in this time,” said Smith. “Because … you played 20 years in the National Football League and I played 15. And every person that understands this physical game, we were not supposed to be here, playing that long. And yet we did. And now we retired in the same year and we’re blessed and honored to achieve a level of greatness together. Nobody could have written a script this perfect.”
Joining Smith and Rice are five other inductees, including Floyd Little (Denver Broncos 1967–1975); Russ Grimm (Washington Redskins 1981–1991); Ricky Jackson (New Orleans Saints 1981–1993); Dick LeBeau (Detroit Lions 1959–1972); and John Randle (Minnesota Vikings 1990–2000).
With an extensive cast of impressive nominees there were several deserving players who did not make the final cut from the selection committee. Standout players like Shannon Sharpe, Cris Carter, Richard Dent, Tim Brown, Eddie George and Andre Reed will all have to wait until 2011 to be considered. –lenn durant
Jerry Rice pictured on left in photo above.
