DBs lead stellar Hall of Fame class
CANTON, Ohio – What a defensive backfield in gold jackets: Ed Reed, Ty Law and Champ Bailey.
Law and Reed and Bailey entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday night.
“Fitting to be in here with Mr. Johnny Robinson and Champ and Ty,” Reed said. “My DBs know it was always about us.”
Reed and Law’s voices frequently broke during their speeches.
Law spoke of his family’s support, and his hometown, Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, which also produced his uncle, Tony Dorsett, and Mike Ditka – both Hall of Famers.
“I know there ain’t no crying in football,” Law joked.
“We are a community built on love, strength, struggle, and that Quiptown pride,” he said. “We did it, Aliquippa. We are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”
Law became the first inductee from New England’s standout defense that won three Super Bowls in the early 2000s. One of the most versatile and physical cornerbacks the NFL has seen, Law was selected for five Pro Bowl teams and was a two-time All-Pro. He finished with 53 career interceptions, twice leading the NFL in that category, had more than 800 tackles, 169 passes defensed, five sacks, and scored seven times. Reed, a five-time All-Pro safety and member of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, was the 2004 Defensive Player of the Year and made nine Pro Bowls. He had 64 career interceptions, seventh overall; led the NFL in picks three times; and his 1,590 yards on interception returns is a league mark. His 13 non-offense TDs rank fifth all time.
Bailey’s 12 Pro Bowl selections are the most elections by a defensive back in NFL history. He was named All-Pro five times, tabbed for the NFL All-Decade Team of the 2000s, and chosen to the Broncos 50th Anniversary Team.
Tight end Tony Gonzalez, who was also inducted, played in 270 regular season games. At the time of his retirement, Gonzalez ranked second in career receptions (1,325), most seasons with 50 or more receptions (16) and most consecutive games with a reception (211). He also ranked fifth all-time in receiving yards (15,127).
Inducted earlier were center Kevin Mawae, Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, defensive back Johnny Robinson and NFL executive Gil Brandt.