No surprise: Peyton Manning a Hall of Fame finalist
(AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)Peyton Manning, no surprise, is among 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2021. The star quarterback, owner of a record five NFL Most Valuable Player awards and two Super Bowl titles, was the first finalist revealed by the hall on Tuesday night. In 18 pro seasons and 265 starts out of 266 games played since being the top overall draft choice by Indianapolis in 1998, he had 14 seasons with 4,000-plus yards passing. Joining Manning as a finalist was one of the players he threw to, wide receiver Reggie Wayne, a finalist for the second time. Voting on the entrants to the hall will be conducted later this month, with the inductees announced during Super Bowl week.
Floyd Little, Syracuse and Broncos great, dies at 78
FILE - In this Sept.1969 file photo, Denver Broncos' Floyd Little avoids the tackle of New York Jets' Steve O'Neal (20) during a football game in Denver. Little, the Hall of Fame running back who starred at Syracuse and for the Denver Broncos, has died. (AP Photo/File)DENVER โ Floyd Little, the versatile running back who starred at Syracuse and for the Denver Broncos, has died after a long bout with cancer. โSo, I supposedly saved the franchise.โLittle was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. โFloyd Little was a true hero of the game," said David Baker, president and CEO of the pro hall.
HOF linebacker, pass rush great Kevin Greene dies at 58
Greene died Monday, Dec. 21, 2020, the family confirmed, as did the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He played for Los Angeles Rams (1985โ1992), Pittsburgh Steelers (1993โ1995), Carolina Panthers (1996, 1998-99) and San Francisco 49ers (1997). โWe lost an amazing player and person this morning with the passing of Kevin Greene,โ Rooney said. โSo sad to hear the news of Kevin Greene passing away,โ Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward said. Prayers to Kevin Greene a legend.โGreene had 14 or more sacks in three different seasons, including twice with the Panthers late in his career.
Fred Dean, 68, fearsome pass rusher of 49ers' dynasty, dies
FILE - In this Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008, file photo, former San Diego Chargers defensive end Fred Dean waves to fans after his speech at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, in Canton, Ohio. Dean, the fearsome pass rusher who was a key part of the launch of the San Francisco 49ers' dynasty, has died. His death on Wednesday night, Oct. 14, 2020, was confirmed Thursday by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan, File)
Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson 2021 Hall of Fame candidates
Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson are among 14 first-year eligible candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The roster of nominees consists of 65 offensive players, 49 defensive players and 16 special teams players. A maximum of five modern-era players will be chosen when the selection committee meets the Saturday before the Super Bowl in Tampa, Florida. Eighteen finalists will be presented to the full 48-member panel: the 15 modern-era finalists, and the recently nominated Drew Pearson (senior); Bill Nunn (contributor); and Tom Flores (coach). Enshrinement at the hall in Canton, Ohio, will take place next August, when members of the 2020 class and a special centennial class also will enter the football shrine.