Manning, Woodson, Megatron headline 2021 Hall of Fame class
The 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame class was announced Saturday at the NFL Honors award show.
The group features Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson, Calvin Johnson, John Lynch, and Alan Faneca. Manning, Woodson, and Johnson are the group members who've obtained a first-ballot induction.
Tom Flores (coaching category), Bill Nunn (contributors category), and Drew Pearson (seniors category) will also join the class of 2021.
Peyton Manning
Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts-Denver Broncos, 1998-2015
It only took FOX59's Mike Chappell a few seconds to explain why Manning is a Hall of Famer, and it's not hard to understand why. The former signal-caller changed the city of Indianapolis during his magnificent 14-year tenure with the Colts. He then helped the Broncos appear in two Super Bowls over his four years with the team before retiring with 71,940 yards and 539 touchdowns on his resume. Manning also won two Super Bowls and took home an all-time high five regular-season MVP awards.
Charles Woodson
Defensive back, Oakland Raiders-Green Bay Packers, 1998-2015
Raiders and Packers fans surely won't forget Woodson's versatility and playmaking ability. The nine-time Pro Bowler ranks fifth all-time in career interceptions, and his 11 INT-return touchdowns are the second-most ever. The 2009 Defensive Player of the Year earned eight All-Pro berths and led the NFL in interceptions twice throughout his career.
Calvin Johnson
Wide receiver, Detroit Lions, 2007-15
Megatron's relatively short career ended up not being a major issue to the Hall of Fame selection committee - and rightfully so. The wideout dominated his opponents week after week, topping 1,000 receiving yards in seven of his nine pro years. Johnson also led the NFL in receiving yards twice, including a single-season record of 1,964 yards in 2012. The six-time Pro Bowler also owns the record for consecutive 100-yard receiving games with eight.
Alan Faneca
Guard, Pittsburgh Steelers-New York Jets-Arizona Cardinals, 1998-2010
Faneca will go down as one of the most consistent and versatile offensive linemen in NFL history, playing in 206 out of 208 possible games throughout his career - including 201 starts - and anchoring teams to solid running games year after year. The former first-round pick out of LSU earned eight All-Pro nods and made nine straight Pro Bowl appearances from 2001-09.
John Lynch
Safety, Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Denver Broncos, 1993-2007
Lynch's wait is finally over in his eighth appearance as a Hall of Fame finalist. The nine-time Pro Bowler was a crucial piece on the Buccaneers' Super Bowl-winning campaign in 2002 and retired with four All-Pro selections on his resume. The current 49ers general manager is also a member of the Buccaneers Ring of Honor and Broncos Ring of Fame.
Drew Pearson (seniors category)
Wide receiver, Dallas Cowboys, 1973-83
Despite entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 1973, Pearson retired a three-time All-Pro after amassing 489 receptions for 7,822 yards and 48 touchdowns through 156 career appearances. Pearson led the league in receiving yards in 1977, the season he helped Dallas win Super Bowl XII.
Tom Flores (coaching category)
Head coach, Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders-Seattle Seahawks, 1979-94
Flores posted a 105-90 record as a head coach in the NFL. He also won Super Bowls XV and XVIII with the Raiders, becoming the first Hispanic coach in NFL history to win a Super Bowl.
Bill Nunn (contributors category)
Scout, Pittsburgh Steelers, 1970-2014
Nunn dedicated decades of his life to the Steelers, and his efforts in Pittsburgh's front office helped the team win all six of its Super Bowl titles.