NFL Hall of Fame Induction Class of 2021 Overview

Hard to believe it is almost football season, but here we are about a month away from the Tampa Bay Bucs hosting the Dallas Cowboys to kick off the season on September 9th.

Each year before the Super Bowl, the Hall of Fame committee selects between 4-8 players that will be inducted into the Hall of Fame every August.

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 classes will be celebrated together in the 2021 ceremony. We’ll cover the 2020 class in a separate post.

It’s never to early to speculate on the 2022 HOF class. To bet on who might get selected find the Best US Online Sportsbooks here.

Here is a look at the 2021 class: 

Players

Peyton Manning, Quarterback, Broncos/Colts

Peyton Manning will enter Canton as one of the most recognized players of the modern era.

Peyton won 2 Super Bowls over his career along with 14 Pro Bowls, 71,940 Passing Yards, and 539 passing touchdowns throughout his sensational career with the Colts and Broncos.

Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions

Johnson was one of the most physically dominant wide receivers ever to play in the NFL as he used his 6’5 240 lb frame and explosive 4.40 speed to blow past smaller DB’s.

Johnson finished with 6 pro bowls, 11,619 receiving yards, 731 receptions, and 83 touchdowns despite retiring at only age 30!

Charles Woodson, CB, Packers/Raiders

Woodson and Manning will come full circle in Canton as Woodson narrowly won the Heisman trophy ahead of Peyton Manning back in 1997.

Woodson played 18 Seasons and made 9 Pro Bowls, 65 interceptions, 1220 tackles, and had 20 sacks for Oakland and Green Bay.

John Lynch, FS, Bucs/Broncos

Lynch, the current 49ers GM, was one of the most physical safeties in NFL history across 15 seasons for the Bucs and Broncos.

Lynch made 9 pro bowls at free safety and finished with 26 interceptions, 13 sacks, and more than 1000 tackles.

Alan Faneca, G, Steelers/Jets/Cardinals

Alan Faneca played 13 seasons for the Steelers, Jets, and Cardinals and was a 9-time pro bowler at Guard.

Faneca was a key piece of protection for Ben Roethlisberger that did not get much notoriety as he helped contribute to 2 Super Bowl wins for the Steelers.

Drew Pearson, WR, Cowboys

Pearson finally got the call to Canton after a long wait after being one of the best WR’s throughout the 70s and early 80s.

Pearson finished with 7,822 yards, 489 receptions, 48 touchdowns over 11 seasons in an era when running the ball was much more common.

Coach

Tom Flores, Coach, Raiders/Seahawks

Flores coached over 12 seasons for the Raiders and Seahawks and had 105 wins and a 72.7% playoff percentage.

Flores led the Raiders to the super bowl in only his second year after succeeding the famous John Madden and spent 9 years with the Raiders before moving on to a position with the Seahawks front office.

Scout

Bill Nunn, Scout, Steelers

Nunn was elected as a contributor for his impressive scouting work over 46 seasons with the Steelers.

Nunn helped scout several standouts from HBCU’s and small colleges to help turn the Steelers into one of the most successful franchises of all time. The Steelers won 6 super bowls during Nunn’s tenure as a scout and assistant director of player personnel.