Saturday, August 7, 2004
CANTON -- Capsules of the four 2004 inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
Bob Brown Offensive Tackle6-4, 280
NFL career: 1964-1968 Philadelphia Eagles, 1969-1970 Los Angeles Rams, 1971-1973 Oakland Raiders.
Notes: Eagles' first-round pick (second overall) in 1964 NFL draft, also Denver Broncos' first-round pick (first overall) of 1964 AFL draft. ... Played 10 seasons, 126 games. ... An aggressive blocker, he used size and strength to neutralize pass rushers. ... Possessed great quickness, strength and self-confidence. ... He was traded to Los Angeles in 1969, after four all-league seasons with Eagles. ... Chosen All-NFL seven of 10 seasons (1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972). ... Selected second-team All-NFL twice (1964, 1967). ... Voted NFL/NFC offensive lineman of the year three times. ... Chosen to play in six Pro Bowls: three with Eagles, two with Rams, and one with Raiders. ... One of first NFL players to get serious about weightlifting.
Carl EllerDefensive End6-6, 247
NFL career: 1964-1978 Minnesota Vikings, 1979 Seattle Seahawks.
Notes: Drafted by Minnesota Vikings (NFL) and Buffalo Bills (AFL), both in first round. ... Played 16 seasons, 225 games. ... Became a regular as a rookie and held job for 15 seasons. ... During Eller's tenure, Vikings won 10 NFL/NFC Central Division crowns, 1969 NFL title, NFC championships in 1973, 1974 and 1976, advanced to four Super Bowls. ... A major factor in the ferocious defensive unit known as "Purple People Eaters". ... Eller anchored line at left end. ... Extremely quick, mobile. ... Excellent on rushing defense, superb pass rusher. ... Had 44 sacks in 1975-77 span. ... Recovered 23 opponents fumbles, third best in history at time of his retirement. ... Eller caused fumble that led to teammate Jim Marshall's famous wrong-way run in 1964. ... All-Pro in 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973. ... All-NFC five times ... Selected to six Pro Bowls.
John ElwayQuarterback6-3, 215
NFL career: 1983-1998 Denver Broncos.
Notes: Selected by Baltimore Colts in first round (first player overall) of 1983 draft. Was traded to Broncos for two veteran players and 1984 first-round pick. ... Played 16 seasons, 234 games. ... Led his team to five victories in six AFC championship games and two Super Bowl wins. ... His record 47 fourth-quarter game-winning or game-tying drives are legendary. ... In 1986 AFC title game, engineered a 98-yard come-from-behind touchdown drive to tie the Cleveland Browns and send the game into overtime. Broncos won 23-20. ... Only player in NFL history to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 200 yards in same season seven consecutive times. ... Only second quarterback in NFL history to record 40,000-plus yards passing and 3,000-plus yards rushing during career. ... Ranks second in three of the game's most significant passing categories: yards (51,475), attempts (7,250), completions (4,123). ... Selected to nine Pro Bowls, a first- or second-team All-Pro three times, first- or second-team All-AFC five times. ... Voted the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1987, the 1993 AFC Offensive Player of the Year and the 1999 Super Bowl Most Valuable Player.
Barry SandersRunning Back5-8, 203
NFL career: 1989-1998 Detroit Lions.
Notes: Selected by Lions in first round (third overall) of 1989 draft. ... Played 10 seasons, 153 games. ... Rushed for 1,000-plus yards in each of 10 seasons, first ever to do so. ... In 1997 became third person to gain 2,000 yards in a season. ... Made pro debut just three days after signing with Lions. ... His 1,470 yards rushing during rookie season were just 10 yards short of the league's best for the year. ... Led all rushers in 1990 (1,304 yards), 1994 (1,883 yards), 1996 (1,553 yards), and 1997 (2,053 yards). ... In 1997, gained 100-plus yards rushing in record 14 consecutive regular-season games. ... Voted league MVP in 1997. ... Capitalized on size by running low to ground, making him less of a target for tacklers. ... Elusive, had uncanny ability to reverse direction seemingly at will. ... First- or second-team All-Pro 10 consecutive seasons. ... First running back to reach five 1,500-yard rushing seasons, and only back to do so in four consecutive seasons (1994-1997). ... Chosen for Pro Bowl 10 times. ... Held nearly all Lions rushing records, including 15,269 yards in career, and numerous NFL records at time of retirement.
Associated Press