1. Peyton Manning: We envisioned this moment five years ago when he announced his retirement. As a wise person once told me, even if he didn’t sign with the Denver Broncos, he’s still a first-ballot Hall of Famer from all he did with the Indianapolis Colts. Peyton is one of the two greatest quarterbacks I’ve seen play this game. From his intellect, the ability to read every single defense and pick you apart to turning quarterbacking into a science. His 2013 season was the best I’ve ever seen from a quarterback. 55 touchdown passes will be tough to break in the next few years. The resume speaks for itself. Five league MVPs, third all-time on the touchdown passing list, and two Super Bowls. Peyton is the first quarterback ever to win two Super Bowls with multiple teams. I can’t wait to hear his speech.
2. Charles Woodson: He was another lock for this day. This journey started in Ann Arbor, Michigan with the Wolverines. Then, the Raiders, a stint with the Packers and back to the Raiders before he called it a career. Charles is one of the best defensive backs ever to play this game. He wasn’t a cover corner only. This was a football player who tried to do everything to help his team. Whether he laying a hit or forcing a turnover, you always saw Charles around the football. When he signed with the Packers, he switched from cornerback to safety and he was able to extend his career. For years, he was the heart and soul of the Packers. He retired tied for fifth in interceptions with 65, a defensive rookie of the year award, he won the defensive MVP in 2009 and won a Super Bowl with the Packers.
3. Calvin Johnson: I think many people were questioning if he deserved to get in on his first try. I wasn’t one of those. In a short period, the man many called “Megatron” established himself as the best wide receiver in the league during his playing days. Calvin was a mismatch nightmare for any defense with the task of defending him. He was a 6’5, 237-pound receiver with electric speed, a wide catch radius, and the ability to go up and get the football. For years, he was the Detroit Lions offense. 2012 may have been his best season ever. Calvin set the record for most receiving yards in a single season with 1,964 yards. He still holds the record for most 100-yard receiving games in a season with 11. By far, he’s one of the best wide receivers I’ve seen play our great game.
4. John Lynch: He should’ve been in years ago, but later is better than never. The ninth time was a charm. During his Tampa Bay days, I often said he was just as vital of a piece to those Tampa defenses just as Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks were. With the attention those two commanded, John was able to roam around freely to make plays on the football. For years, John was a hard-hitting safety who was the enforcer for his backfields. He spent the first 11 years of his career with the Buccaneers. In 2004, he signed a free-agent contract with the Denver Broncos. He finished his career as a nine-time pro bowler and a Super Bowl champion. This is a well-deserved honor.
5. Alan Faneca: It’s been a good year to be a Steeler. Last year, Bill Cowher and Troy Polamalu both were elected to the Hall. This year, another Steeler will join them. When you watch those Pittsburgh teams in the early 2000s, most of their running plays were run in the direction of number 66, Alan Faneca. Many consider him the greatest offensive guard in league history. He opened lanes for another Hall of Famer for years in Jerome Bettis. Jerome has said he doesn’t have a gold jacket without number 66. Alan has also received credit from another Hall of Famer, Ray Lewis. This was Alan’s sixth year on the ballot. Glad to see he finally got in.
6. Drew Pearson: I still remember when he thought he would get in last year. I felt for him and you saw the disappointment on his face. This year, he finally got that word from David Baker that he would be enshrined after all these years. Michael Irvin calls him the “original 88”. In his playing days, Drew became one of the best receivers of his time. He earned career records of 489 receptions and 7,822 receiving yards, along with 189 rushing yards and 50 touchdowns (48 receiving and two fumble recoveries). He’s the senior finalist for this year’s class.
7. Bill Nunn: Scouts deserve credit too. Mr. Nunn started as a journalist. In 1967, the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to hire him to a part-time position on their scouting staff. When Chuck Noll became the head coach, the position turned into a full-time gig. Mr. Nunn is responsible for some of the biggest names ever to play for the Steelers. Mel Blount and John Stallworth are a few of those names. As I said up top, being a legendary Steeler has been great this past year.
8. Tom Flores: I’m so happy he’s getting the chance to experience this with another legendary Raider (Woodson). Mr. Flores has spent many years of his life in the sport. He played in the NFL then went on to coach. To this day, he and Mike Ditka are the only two people in NFL history to win Super Bowls as a player, assistant coach, and head coach. Mr. Flores is also the first Hispanic to be a starting quarterback. He’s also the first minority head coach to win a Super Bowl. His 83 wins as the Raiders head coach are the second-most ever behind you guessed it, John Madden.