Who’s being inducted Saturday into the Pro Football Hall of Fame,
The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2015 will be inducted Saturday (7 p.m. ET, NFL Network) in Canton, Ohio. A closer look:
JUNIOR SEAU (PLAYER) In his 20-season career, Seau logged 561⁄2 sacks and 18 intercep
2 tions with the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots. The six-time all-pro linebacker helped lead the Chargers to their lone Super Bowl appearance; they lost to the San Francisco 49ers 49-26 on Jan. 29, 1995.
Seau’s induction is bittersweet, a reminder of the violent nature of football.
In May 2012, Seau committed suicide, and tests showed he suffered from the brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy. He was 43.
“This is a huge honor for our family,” Seau’s son, Tyler, said when the inductees were announced this year. “It’s definitely with a heavy heart to accept this, because it should be him. He should be here. He is here.
“Emotionally, it’s tough. We’re missing a huge part, but we’re staying strong. This is a blessing, and we’re humbled to be a part of this family.”
JEROME BETTIS (PLAYER) Bettis, the former Los Angeles/ St. Louis Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers running back, carried the ball 3,479 times for 13,662 yards and 91 touchdowns in his 13 seasons. He helped lead the Steelers to a championship in Super Bowl XL, his final year before retiring. Nicknamed “The Bus,” Bettis rushed for at least 1,000 yards in eight seasons.
“To think that a little fat kid from Detroit, to ascend to this level is incredible,” Bettis said. “At no point did I ever think that I had the ability to get to the Hall of Fame. And to now be here, it’s humbling.”
TIM BROWN (PLAYER) Brown, who starred at Notre Dame a couple of years before Bettis did, caught 1,094 passes for 14,934 yards and 100 touchdowns in his 17 seasons in the NFL. He spent all but one of those years with the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders and set multiple franchise records. He ranked second in the NFL in receiving yards at the time of his retirement.
Brown enters the Hall in his sixth year of eligibility.
“It was tough. But when you have Jerry Rice and Andre Reed, you have to wait your turn,” Brown said. “I’m just elated to be sitting here.”
CHARLES HALEY (PLAYER) Haley, the former 49ers and Dallas Cowboys defensive end, compiled 1001⁄2 sacks and two interceptions in his 13-year career. To date, he’s the only player in NFL history to have appeared on five Super Bowl-winning teams.
WILL SHIELDS (PLAYER) Shields played in 224 consecutive games from his rookie season in 1993 until he retired in 2006. He started 223 of those games. In his 14 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, Shields was a three-time all-pro guard.
RON WOLF (CONTRIBUTOR) Wolf has been a longtime personnel man in the NFL, starting as an Oakland scout in 1963. He later became a director of player personnel and helped build teams that won nine division titles and made three Super Bowl appearances.
Considered one of the top talent evaluators in NFL history, Wolf built a Packers team that won three consecutive division championships and earned a championship in Super Bowl XXXI.
BILL POLIAN (CONTRIBUTOR) Dating to 1978, Polian assembled rosters with the Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts and was involved in laying the foundation of the expansion Carolina Panthers. His teams appeared in five Super Bowls, including a championship in 2006. Polian drafted quarterback Peyton Manning. MICK TINGELHOFF (SENIOR NOMINEE) Tingelhoff was a five-time all-pro in 17 seasons, all as a center with the Minnesota Vikings. He helped the Vikings win 10 division titles from 1968 to 1978 and make four Super Bowl appearances.