Quarterback Peyton Manning, widely considered one of the top quarterbacks of the modern era, headed up an eight-member class of enshrines to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The group, which included former Sandy Creek High and Georgia Tech star Calvin Johnson, was announced on Saturday night during the NFL Honors program.
The group also included guard Alan Faneca, coach Tom Flores, safety John Lynch, contributor Bill Nunn, wide receiver Drew Pearson and cornerback/safety Charles Woodson.
The 48-person selection committee met virtually Jan. 19 for its annual meeting. The Class of 2021 will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Sunday, Aug. 8, in Canton, Ohio.
Manning, 44, retired after winning Super Bowl 50 with the Denver Broncos. He played four seasons with the Broncos after playing 14 with the Indianapolis Colts.
Manning’s NFL career got off to a bumpy start. He tossed 28 interceptions his rookie season in 1998, but his quarterbacks coach Bruce Arians gave him support.
“Bruce stuck with me,” Manning said. “I remember that season. It was tough. We only won three games. He had my back. He said, ‘Hey, you keep learning. We’re getting better. We are not seeing it in wins, but we are improving.’ "
Arians, who coached Tampa Bay in Super Bowl LV Sunday, knew what he was talking about.
“The next season we went from 3-13 to 13-3,” Manning said. “I really give Bruce a lot of credit for having my back that whole season.”
Manning who starred at Tennessee in the SEC had to adjust to the speed of the NFL.
“It really helped me understand just how fast the NFL is,” Manning said. “That’s what having a fast-twitch quarterback means because the speed of the game is so intense that you better be able to process (information) quickly and make quick decisions. I really give Bruce a lot of credit with helping me with that transition.”
The Colts would go on to play in two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl XLI over the Bears in 2007 and losing Super Bowl XLIV to the Saints in 2010.
“We were thinking about trying to figure it all out and win games,” Manning said of his time with the Colts. “It was something that I could tell was a special group in those early years. It was a bunch of guys that loved football, loved to work hard.”
Manning will join running back Edgerrin James (Class of 2020), Marvin Harrison (2016), coach Tony Dungy (2016) and general manager Bill Polian (2015) in the Hall of Fame.
“I think about Edgerrin and Marvin in 1999, being together and kind of beginning this turnaround in Indianapolis and kind of helping to make it a true football town and football state,” Manning said. “I was proud to be going in with Edgerrin and I was there for Marvin, those are two of the first guys that I called.”
The Class of 2020 was not enshrined because of the coronavirus pandemic and will be inducted in 2021.
Manning won the most valuable player of the year award five times. He was a Super Bowl MVP, tow-time offensive player of the year, one comeback player of the year and one Walter Payton man of the year award.
Upon retirement, Manning held several NFL records including career passing yards (71,940), career passing touchdowns (539) and consecutive seasons with at least 25 passing touchdowns (13).
Manning was also named to the NFL’s 100th Anniversary Team in 2019 as one of the 10 greatest quarterbacks in league history.
Flores was the NFL’s first Latino head coach.
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) applauded his selection.
“LULAC is proud to join millions of Raiders and other pro football fans in celebrating coach Flores for this very special achievement,” Domingo Garcia, LULAC National President said. “It’s an honor long overdue for a man nominated previously and whose lifetime has contributed so much to the excitement of the game,” he added.
In 1970, Flores was a backup quarterback on Kansas City’s Super Bowl IV winning team. Following his playing career, Flores returned to the Oakland Raiders as an assistant coach and won another ring in 1977 in Super Bowl XI. When Coach John Madden retired, Flores became pro football’s first Latino head coach and led the Oakland Raiders to victory in 1981 in Super Bowl XV and the Los Angeles Raiders in Super Bowl XVIII in 1984.
Nunn, a former sports writer, was the super scout who helped build the Steelers’ dynasty of the 1970s with his scouting of Historical Black Colleges and Universities.
“It’s fantastic that he is getting this recognition, not only because of the tremendous contributions over so many years with the Steelers, but really because of his impact on the NFL and on college scouts in particular,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said.
The Hall of Fame’s membership, including the newly elected Class of 2021, now stands at 354.
Here’s a look at the enshrinees:
PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2021
ALAN FANECA
Guard … 6-4, 322 … Louisiana State … 1998-2007 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2008-09 New York Jets, 2010 Arizona Cardinals
13 seasons, 206 games … First-round pick of Steelers (26th player overall) in 1998 NFL Draft … Missed just one game in career … Earned starting role in sixth game of rookie season … Helped pave way for 1,000-yard rushing season by Jerome Bettis to earn All-Rookie acclaim … Key leader of Steelers team that captured four division titles, including three in four-year span … Helped Steelers post 10-plus wins five times, including regular-season records of 13-3 (2001) and 15-1 (2004) … Veteran leadership integral to Jets playoff run to reach AFC championship in 2009 … Named All-Pro (first team) six times (2001-02, 2004-07) and second team in 2003 and 2008 … All-AFC seven consecutive seasons, 2001-07 … Selected to nine consecutive Pro Bowls … Started 14 career playoff games, including at left guard in four AFC Championship Games and Super Bowl XL … Dominating run blocker, led way for teams that finished among the NFL’s top 10 in rushing 11 times in 13 seasons … Blocked for nine 1,000-yard rushers and five 3,000-yard passers … Named to NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s … Born Dec. 7, 1976 in New Orleans.
TOM FLORES
Head Coach … Fresno City Junior College, University of Pacific … 1979-1987 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, 1992-94 Seattle Seahawks
12 seasons … Regular season record: 97-87-0 … Postseason record: 8-3 … Overall record: 105-90-0 … Served as assistant coach for Raiders for seven seasons before being named head coach in 1979 … Led team to Super Bowl title in second season at helm … Guided Raiders to 27-10 victory over Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XV … Raiders became first wildcard team to win Super Bowl … Won second Super Bowl championship with Raiders 38-9 win over Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII … At time, his two Super Bowl coaching victories ranked behind only Chuck Noll … Flores’ led Raiders teams won 11 or more games in a season four times … Named AFC Coach of the Year after leading team to best record in AFC, 1982 … Raiders captured three division titles over four-year span (1982 AFC in strike-shortened season, 1983 and 1985 AFC Western) … Coached Seahawks for three seasons … Born March 21, 1937 in Fresno, Calif.
Credit: AJC
CALVIN JOHNSON
Wide Receiver … 6-5, 237 … Georgia Tech … 2007-2015 Detroit Lions
9 seasons, 135 games … Second overall selection of 2007 NFL Draft by Lions … Dominant wide receiver during his nine-season NFL career … Selected second overall in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, where he played his entire professional football career … Started in 130 of his 135 career games … Nicknamed “Megatron” for strong, robotic like abilities on the field … Seven seasons with 1,000-plus receiving yards … Earned NFL pass receiving yardage titles in 2011 and 2012 … At time of retirement in 2015, held NFL records for receiving yards in a season (1,964 yards in 2012) and most consecutive games with a 100 or more receiving yards (8) … Still holds the Lions’ record for most receptions (731) and receiving yards (11,619) … Career stats include 731 receptions for 11,619 yards and 83 touchdowns… Earned Pro Bowl honors six consecutive years (2011-16) … First-Team All-Pro three times; second team once … Selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2010s … Born Sept. 29, 1985 in Tyrone, Ga.
JOHN LYNCH
Safety … 6-2, 214 … Stanford … 1993-2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004-07 Denver Broncos
15 seasons, 224 games … Selected by Buccaneers in 3rd round (82nd player overall) in 1993 NFL Draft … Vital addition to Bucs defense that soon dominated NFL … Earned permanent starting role in fourth pro season, racked up more than 100 tackles and tied career-high with three interceptions … From that point forward, was anchor of secondary on a defense that perennially ranked among NFL’s best ... Voted to first of nine Pro Bowls following 1997 season … Earned All-Pro recognition three consecutive years (1999-2001) … In 2002, was integral part of Buccaneers’ championship season capped with franchise’s first Super Bowl title … Contributed 96 tackles (50 solo), three interceptions and 12 passes defensed as Bucs finished 12-4 ... In postseason, added five tackles in divisional playoff, six tackles in championship game and one tackle and pass defensed in Super Bowl XXXVII victory ... Signed as free agent with Denver in 2004 … Played final four seasons of 15-year career with Broncos ... Helped lead Broncos to conference championship game in second season … That year, recorded career-high four sacks, intercepted two passes, forced four fumbles and racked up 69 tackles ... Added three solo tackles, one assist and one pass defensed in 1995 AFC Championship Game ... In all, recorded 26 interceptions, returned for 204 yards, 13 sacks and more than 1,000 tackles ... Credited with 90 or more tackles in a season nine times … Born Sept. 25, 1971 in Hinsdale, Ill.
Credit: Amy Sancetta
Credit: Amy Sancetta
PEYTON MANNING
Quarterback … 6-5, 230 … Tennessee … 1998-2011 Indianapolis Colts, 2012-15 Denver Broncos
18 seasons, 266 games … Selected by Colts as first overall pick of 1998 NFL Draft … Premier quarterback during his 18-season NFL career … Started in all but one of his 266 career games … Selected first overall in the 1998 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts … 14 seasons with 4,000-plus yards passing ... Four Super Bowl appearances resulting in two victories (XLI with Colts, 50 with Broncos); Super Bowl XLI MVP … Held numerous NFL and team records at time of retirement in 2015, including career passing yards (71,940), career passing touchdowns (539) and consecutive seasons with at least 25 passing touchdowns (13) … 201 career wins including playoffs … set the single-season passing yardage record (5,477) in 2013 … Career stats: 6,125 completions on 9,380 attempts for 71,940 yards and 539 touchdowns … Earned Pro Bowl honors 14 times (2000-01, 2003-2011, 2013-15) … First-Team All-Pro seven times; Second-Team All-Pro three times … Named Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player five times (2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2013) … NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s … Born March 24, 1976 in New Orleans.
BILL NUNN
Senior Scout, Assistant Director of Player Personnel … West Virginia State College … 1968-2014 Pittsburgh Steelers
47 seasons … Pittsburgh Steelers “super scout” … Worked as a sportswriter and managing editor at The Pittsburgh Currier, one of the most influential black publications in the U.S. at the time, developing relationships and becoming extremely knowledgeable about the players and coaches affiliated with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) … Credited with helping build the Steelers’ dynasty of the 1970s; drafting JOHN STALLWORTH (Alabama A&M), MEL BLOUNT (Southern) and DONNIE SHELL (South Carolina State) from HBCUs … Had a knack for locating talent at other small colleges including JACK LAMBERT at Kent State University … Helped Steelers draft many players who would fill integral roles in the team’s six Super Bowl appearances during his tenure, IX, X, XIII, XIV, XL, XLIII … Member of the Inaugural Class of the Black College Football Hall of Fame … Enshrined in the Steelers’ Hall of Honor, 2018 ... Born Sept. 30, 1924 in Homewood, Pa. Died May 6, 2014 in Pittsburgh.
Credit: Anonymous
Credit: Anonymous
DREW PEARSON
Wide Receiver … 6-0, 184 … Tulsa … 1973-83 Dallas Cowboys
11 seasons, 156 games … Undrafted free agent, signed with Cowboys in 1973 … Retired as the Cowboys’ all-time leader for receptions (489) and receiving yards (7,822) … Caught 48 touchdown passes … Named a first-team All-Pro three times … Selected to play in three Pro Bowls … Member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1970s … Inserted into starting lineup in rookie season when a teammate got hurt and responded with 22 receptions for 388 yards and two touchdowns in 6 games … Added two TD catches in a postseason win over the Los Angeles Rams that season … Followed in 1974 with 62 catches for 1,087 yards … Team leader in receptions and receiving yards four consecutive seasons, 1974-77 … Led NFL with 870 receiving yards in 1977 … Seven catches for 113 yards in 1977 postseason as Cowboys won Super Bowl XII … Made three Super Bowl appearances in career … Big-game reputation reflected in 68 receptions for 1,131 yards (16.6 average) and 8 TDs in 22 postseason games … Teamed with Roger Staubach for memorable 50-yard score late in 1975 divisional playoff game at Minnesota, giving rise to the term “Hail Mary” pass … Born Jan. 12, 1951 in South River, N.J.
CHARLES WOODSON
Cornerback/Safety … 6-1, 210 … Michigan … 1998-2005, 2013-15 Oakland Raiders, 2006-2012 Green Bay Packers
18 seasons, 254 games … Made an immediate impact for Raiders after being drafted fourth overall in 1998, earning the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award and a Pro Bowl berth … Intercepted at least one pass in each of his 18 seasons (one year shy of Darrell Green’s NFL-record 19) … Totaled 65 career interceptions, tied for fifth in League history … Fourth in NFL history for passes defensed with 183 … Twice led NFL in interceptions (nine in 2009; seven in 2011) … In 2014, became first player in NFL history with 50 career interceptions and 20 sacks … Forced 33 fumbles and recovered 18 … AP Defensive Player of the Year in 2009 … Member of NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s … First-Team All-Pro four times … Elected to nine Pro Bowls … Appeared in Super Bowl XXXVII with Oakland, contributing five tackles and an interception in 48-21 loss to Tampa Bay … Contributed two tackles in 31-25 Green Bay victory over Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XLV … Co-holder of NFL record with 13 career defensive touchdowns … One of only two players (with Hall of Famer Marcus Allen) to win Heisman Trophy, AP (Defensive) Rookie of the Year, AP (Defensive) Player of the Year and a Super Bowl title in his career … Born Oct. 7, 1976 in Fremont, Ohio.
Falcons’ 2021 draft position:
NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks released his Mock Draft 1.0 and has the Falcons selecting BYU quarterback Zach Wilson. He has Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields going second overall to the New York Jets.
Bucky’s picks
1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
2. New York Jets - Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
3. Miami Dolphins (via Houston) - Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
4. Falcons - Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
5. Cincinnati Bengals - Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
The Bow Tie Chronicles Podcasts:
For more content about the Atlanta Falcons
Follow me on Twitter @DorlandoAJC
On Facebook at Atlanta Falcons News Now
Atlanta Falcons coverage on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
