It’s that time of the year! The NFL Hall of Fame inductees have been announced, and they certaintly did not disappoint. This year, there are six particular legends that I am so excited about!
First and foremost, we have the three-time Super Bowl winning quarterback and one of the most prolific athletes of all time, Peyton Manning. Having been a professional quarterback since 1998, Peyton is no doubt a bonafide legend in football. Not only did he lead the Indianapolis Colts to victory for 14 seasons, but he also won those three Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos. As a bonafide Hall of Famer, he even won the distinction of being Super Bowl MVP twice. Game recognize game, and this honor is well deserved.
The next big guy that I’m super jazzed about is current Baltimore Ravens head coach, John Harbaugh. Basketball fans may not know this, but Harbaugh has been the head coach of the Ravens for 11 seasons. He’s had an incredibly successful career thus far, becoming to first head coach in NFL history to lead his team to the playoffs in six consecutive seasons. He also was the first head coach to reach three conference championship games in his first 5 seasons. As a Super Bowl Champion and Hall of Famer, he is definitely someone I look up to.
Another legendary inductee is Steve Atwater, a safety for the Denver Broncos and one of the most feared and respected players in football. He’s played for 11 seasons, winning an astounding 8 Pro Bowls. In his NFL career, he racked up 24 interceptions, 863 tackles, and 22 forced fumbles. Oh, and let’s not forget that he was the first Denver Bronco to ever be selected as a Walter Payton Man of the Year recipient. Steve truly gives back to the community, which is always admirable.
One more guy I gotta give props too is the great Brown linebacker, Clay Matthews Jr. He made his NFL debut with the Browns in 1978, retiring after a 19-year career.As a major player in the sport, he was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and is currently first in Browns franchise history for career assists. He was also the first and most significant linebacker of a generation of stars that continues to carry the sport today.
Next up, is Calvin Johnson, one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history. Drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2007, he has had one of the most prolific careers in history, racking up three AP Offensive Player of the Year awards, six Pro Bowls, and 11 seasons all-time in receiving touchdowns. He is currently 2nd in the NFL for career receiving yards. But it’s not just his stats that make him so great. His passion and dedication to the sport is unparalleled.
Lastly, we have Jim Covert, the offensive lineman for the Chicago Bears. Having played his entire career with the Bears, he was part of one of the most successful teams in NFL history. He won one Super Bowl and two NFC titles with the team, and was a two-time Pro Bowl selection. Plus, he’s the first offensive lineman in Bears history to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, which speaks to the tremendous legacy he leaves behind.
All these guys have truly earned the recognition and respect that comes with such an remarkable distinction. It’s truly a testament to the fact that hard work pays off. I’m really glad that football will always have such amazing men to serve as role models for young people.