Pro Football Hall Of Fame 2010 - The New Members

Listed below are the seven 2010 inductees into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. It is quite the illustrious group, and should make for a very exciting ceremony. Click on the names for a short video clip of each player.

RUSS GRIMM - Washington Redskins

RICKEY JACKSON - New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49'ers

DICK LeBEAU - Detroit Lions

FLOYD LITTLE - Denver Broncos

JOHN RANDLE - Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks

JERRY RICE - San Francisco 49'ers, Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks

EMMITT SMITH - Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals

PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME 2010

The heat of summer is building to a crescendo. The national boredom with the meaningless middle-portion of the Major League Baseball season has reached it's peak. The smell of professional football training camps is in the air. This can only mean one thing, the Pro Football Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony is soon to arrive! -FUPPETS- is always ecstatic about this august event. Between the football history on display, the small-town celebrations in Canton Ohio, the always long, but always heartfelt and meaningful acceptance speeches, and the official start of the new season with the Hall Of Fame Game which ends the ceremonies, it is truly a wonderful weekend for the football fanatic.

While all the major and even minor sports have their own Halls of Fame, with their own respective ceremony and pomp, the Pro Football Hall Of Fame (HOF from now on) is in a class all it's own. -FUPPETS- has thought long and hard about why this is so for the Football HOF, as opposed to the boring presentations for the baseball hall in Cooperstown, or the basketball ceremonies which seem more like a press conference. The answer may lie in that everything, and -FUPPETS- means EVERYTHING, about the Football HOF weekend is run by the good people of Canton Ohio, a small town on the periphery of Akron.

These volunteers plan so many events, and run them with a love and efficiency that shames the corporate circle jerk of the basketball and baseball HOF ceremonies. The event last for an entire week. So many of the enshrined players from years past come back to support the new entrants into their exclusive fraternity. They all bring their families and are treated with the type of thoughtful and loving care that only family can provide, for the people of Canton do their utmost every year to make certain that the Hall of Famers never forget their moment in the sun. There are events for the kids of HOF members. Volunteers prepare events for the wives of the Hall Of Famers. There is a morning parade which effectively shuts down Canton, for over 100,000 people (in a town of around 78,000) line the Main Street of Canton. At the actual site of the HOF there is a midway and carnival and food stands set up for visitors to enjoy. There is the official Member's Only dinner where the new entrants are presented their gold jackets, and everyone shares stories of their lives in football, going back to some of the oldest HOF members describing the way professional football was when they played, 50, 60, or in rare cases 70 years ago.

Visiting the HOF Ceremonies is a treat that no football fan should miss. Wandering the exhibits of the HOF alone is magnificent, and then you reach THE ROOM. The very heart of the HOF is the room where all the busts of every enshrinee are arranged in the chronological order in which the individuals were inducted. Arranged throughout the room are video monitors where one can watch highlights of every member, as well as learn their history and backgrounds. It is overwhelmingly fantastic. (click images to enlarge)

One other fabulous thing about a trip to the HOF Induction Ceremony is that you never know who you will see, or run into, for football players from all the NFL's history come by to visit, support teammates or coaches who are being honored, etc. -FUPPETS- was flabbergasted to eat breakfast at the Cracker Barrell one table away from Packers legend Bart Starr and his wife.
Super Bowl rings are EVERYWHERE! If you are a football fanatic, and I know there are many out there, you owe it to yourself, and your family, to take the trip to Canton Ohio at least once in your life. -FUPPETS- was there to support the induction of Warren Moon, as well as the inductions of John Madden, Troy Aikman, Reggie White, and others. It will never be forgotten.

-FUPPETS- will be watching the ceremony this weekend on ESPN. A post containing bios of every 2010 inductee is coming shortly.

Pro Football Hall Of Fame: 2009 Inductees

-FUPPETS- would like to showcase the great players and owner about to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in Canton, Ohio this weekend.


Bob Hayes (WR) - Cowboys, 49er's : The only man ever to win an Olympic Gold Medal and a Super Bowl, Mr. Hayes was truly a gifted speedster. In the Olympics he medaled Gold in the 100 meter dash and the 4 X 100 meter relay, earning the nickname World's Fastest Human, for all his records. The Cowboys drafted him to be a Wide receiver and to this day, Hayes holds ten regular-season receiving records, four punt return records and twenty-two overall franchise marks. On September 18, 2002 Bob Hayes died of kidney failure after battling prostrate cancer and liver ailments.

Randall McDaniel (G) - Vikings, Buccaneers : One of the greatest offensive linemen to ever play the game, Mr. McDaniel was not just chosen, but started 12 consecutive Pro Bowls, and started 202 consecutive games in his career. Offensive linemen are not very glamorous, and they never get headlines and media praise, but his teammates and his opponents knew what they had to contend with when Randall McDaniel stepped up to play.

Bruce Smith (DE) - Bills, Redskins : Mr Smith was one of the truly scary and great defenders in the history of the NFL. He led his team's defensive attack, helping take them to 4 consecutive Super Bowls. He was twice named the AP Defensive Player Of The Year, and was a near perennial Pro Bowl pick. He retired with many team records as well as the NFL's record for most career sacks (200).

Derrick Thomas (LB) - Chiefs : A monster blitzing linebacker, Mr. Thomas was drafted in 1989 by the Kansas City Chiefs and remained with them for all 11 of his NFL seasons. He retired holding the Chiefs records for sacks, safeties, fumble recoveries, and forced fumbles. He holds the NFL record for forced fumbles in a career (45), and most sacks in a game (7). Derrick Thomas died on February 8, 2000 as a result of a massive blood clot which lodged in his lungs a couple of weeks after he was paralyzed from the neck down in a terrible automobile accident.

Ralph Wilson Jr. (Owner) - Bills : Originally a minority owner of the Detroit Lions, he jumped at the chance to own his own franchise when Lamar Hunt tossed around the idea of starting a new football league, the AFL. He is one of only two original AFL owners to still own his team, the other being the hateful and hated Bud Adams. His Jim Kelly-led Bills reached 4 consecutive Super Bowls, a feat never before achieved, but lost all of them.

Rod Woodson (CB/SS) - Raiders, Steelers, 49'ers, Ravens : Mr. Woodson holds the records for career interception return yardage (1,483), interception returns for touchdowns (12), as well as having the 3rd most career interceptions (71). He was voted NFL Defensive Player of The Year in 1993. His 2000 Ravens team won Super Bowl XXXV.

PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY - 2009

This Saturday is the 46th Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. For die-hard football fans it is the most grand and emotional event in the "football calendar." The ceremonies are the Alpha and the Super Bowl is the Omega, bookending the NFL season. Each year up to 6 enshrinees are elected to enter the HoF. This year's batch is stellar as always, includes a Gold Medalist, and heavy on defense, much to -FUPPETS- delight!

Bob Hayes (WR) - Cowboys, 49er's
Randall McDaniel (G) - Vikings, Buccaneers
Bruce Smith (DE) - Bills, Redskins
Derrick Thomas (LB) - Chiefs
Ralph Wilson Jr. (Owner) - Bills
Rod Woodson (CB/SS) - Raiders, Steelers, 49'ers, Ravens

The Pro Football Hall of Fame is located in Canton, Ohio and is a mecca for the giridon faithful. The emphasis is strictly on FOOTBALL and not on flash or the ridiculously sensational. The exhibits are right in your face: Dick Butkus' jersey, Earl Campbell's helmet, legendary items from the early years, Coach Lombardi's hat. It is truly awesome and respectful, and respected. The people visiting the HoF are truly fans, and venerate the items for the memories they bring back as well as the connection that is made to the men who once played the game, and did it better than anyone else in the game.

Sam "Slingin' Sammy" Baugh (3/17/1914 - 12/17/2008) - R.I.P.

Samuel Adrian Baugh, or "Slingin' Sammy" Baugh as he was known to all those who follow and love professional football, has passed away at the age of 94. Sam Baugh was the last surviving member of the Inaugural Class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.
A two-time All-American as a student at Texas Christian University, Sammy Baugh played for the Washington Redskins from 1937 to 1952. When he was drafted he signed an $8,000 contract to become the highest paid player on the team. That money was well-spent, as he led the Redskins to the NFL title in his rookie year and again in 1942.

Baugh was the best all-around player in an era when such versatility was essential. In 1943, he led the league in passing, punting and defensive interceptions. In one game, he threw four touchdown passes and intercepted four as well. He threw six touchdowns passes in a game twice. His 51.4-yard punting average in 1940 is still the NFL record. (AP)

Sam Baugh is often rightly credited with bringing the forward pass to the forefront of the NFL team's offenses.

Baugh still holds Redskins records for career touchdown passes (187) and completion percentage in a season (70.3). His 31 interceptions on defense are third on the team's career list.

He played his entire career without a face mask, and his number 33 is the only number the Redskins have ever retired. Until his last day Sam remained a huge fan of the NFL Football.

"I'll watch it all damn day long," Baugh, who often sprinkled his conversation with mild obscenities, told The Associated Press in a 2002 interview. "I like the football they play. They got bigger boys, and they've also got these damn speed merchants that we didn't have in those days. I'd love to be quarterback this day and time."

The list of records and accomplishments goes on and on. His bust resides in the Pro Football Hall of Fame along with the other greats, and his impact on professional football was immeasurable. Here is a link to his Hall Of Fame Enshrinement speech.

HAKEEM OLAJUWON - Hall of Fame Inductee

Today, the greatest sports hero the city of Houston has ever had, Hakeem "The DREAM" Olajuwon, is to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Pro Basketball Hall Of Fame. (be forewarned, the basketball hall of fame website sucks ass)

Hakeem began his basketball career at the University of Houston, as part of Phi Slamma Jamma, and leading U of H to three consecutive Final Four appearances. "DREAM" brought the first major championship to Houston since the days of the American Football League in the 50's/60's. He then proceeded to do it again the year after, giving us memories to carry for our entire lives. After the first championship, driving home after the game, seeing thousands upon thousands of people standing on the streets cheering and cars honking and crowds gathered outside of the Summit, the feeling was amazing. Getting to see it again the year after was just icing on the cake.



Fran Blinebury, of the Houston Chronicle, writes about Olajuwon's journey from Lagos in Nigeria to Houston, Texas.


Hakeem Olajuwon is the greatest center to play in the N.B.A. these last 25 years. The year the Rockets won their first championship Hakeem Olajuwon was awarded the League's Most Valuable Player award, the League's Defensive Player of The Year award, and the N.B.A. Finals' Most Valuable Player award, the ONLY MAN IN N.B.A. HISTORY TO DO SO. "Dream" retired with the record for most blocked shots, and 7th in all-time steals, as well as leading the Houston Rockets in nearly every offensive and defensive stat category.


Tonight he joins the man that beat him in the NCAA Championship, and whom he beat in the NBA Championship, Patrick Ewing, as inductees into the Pro Basketball Hall Of Fame. They came into the N.B.A. together and they enter the Hall of Fame together. It is only fitting.

Here are some videos for your pleasure, hand-chosen by -FUPPETS-.

The first is Hakeem Olajuwon's Top 10 Plays as chosen by ESPN.

Perhaps my fondest memory of "Dream" was when the Rockets were fighting the San Antonio Spurs in the playoffs. Spurs center David Robinson was voted the NBA Most valuable Player, a year after Olajuwon had earned that award. Olajuwon, and many others, felt that the 1995 MVP trophy should have gone to him again. The MVP trophy was awarded to Robinson before the start of their series together. According to his teammates, Hakeem and them sat in their locker room, watching the NBA commissioner hand Robinson the award, and Hakeem said "That man has my trophy." For a soft-spoken man, this was as much as he was going to say about it. He would proceed to put on one of the greatest single-player efforts ever witnessed in the NBA playoffs, leading his Rockets to victory in the series against David Robinson, and effectively emphasizing who truly deserved to be named League MVP that year. Here is a short summary of that ass-kicking.

The Houston Rockets celebrated Hakeem Olajuwon's entry into the Hall of fame at Toyota Center, in front of the fans. Houston loves us some "Dream."

Congratulations Hakeem Olajuwon. You deserve all of it and more. Thank you for the memories.