Hall of Fame Inducts Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith

A legendary night in Canton
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Aug 8, 2010 6:03 AM CDT
Hall of Fame Inducts Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith
Former San Francisco 49ers great Jerry Rice poses with his bust after enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010.    (Mark Duncan)

Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith can stop the chase now. Linked as the NFL's leading receiver and rusher, two of the greatest players football has seen entered the Hall of Fame last night. Both admitted their destinies are fulfilled. "This is finally it," Rice said. "There are no more routes to run, no more touchdowns to score, no more records to set. That young boy from Mississippi has finally stopped running." Canton's Class of 2010:

  • John Randle: An undrafted defensive tackle with the Vikings and Seahawks accumulated 137 1/2 sacks in 14 seasons, most for anyone at that position.
  • Dick LeBeau: Chosen after a 32-year wait for his 14-year career as a cornerback with the Detroit Lions, in which he had 62 interceptions, still eighth overall. He's best known as an assistant coach, the mastermind of the zone blitz.
  • Rickey Jackson: Linebacker is the first New Orleans Saints player to be enshrined.
  • Russ Grimm: The "Head Hog" of the Redskins' '80s offensive line, who helped the Redskins win three Super Bowls. He is the first member of that memorable line to make the hall.
  • Floyd Little: A star running back for the Denver Broncos from 1967-75 despite being the only offensive threat on the team. He waited nearly three decades before getting elected.
To read about Smith teammate Michael Irvin's emotional 2007 induction, click here.
(More Jerry Rice stories.)

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