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Pro Football Hall of Fame Opens Doors to Michael Irvin, Five Others
The Pro Football Hall of Fame will be inducting five new members to its Canton, Ohio shrine in 2007.
Among the players that will have their bust housed in the Hall of Fame come August are Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin, Buffalo Bills running back Thurman Thomas, St. Louis Cardinals defensive back Roger Wehrli, and the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Bruce Matthews. Charlie Sanders and Gene Hickerson will also be inducted courtesy of the veterans’ committee.
Irvin finished his 12-year career with 11,904 yards receiving and totaled 65 touchdowns. During his time with the Cowboys, the only NFL team on which Irvin played, Dallas won three Super Bowl titles and played in four NFC Title Games. He was selected to the NFL’s All-Decade team of the 1990s.
Thurman Thomas totaled 12,074 yards in his 13-year career for the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins. Thomas holds the NFL record for most points in the playoffs with 126 and most touchdowns with 21. Thomas led the Bills to four straight Super Bowl appearances in the ‘90s.
Roger Wehrli played his entire 14-year career as a defensive back with the St. Louis Cardinals. Wehrli’s career included 40 interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. Wehrli amassed 19 fumble recoveries over his career and was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1970s.
Bruce Matthews was voted to the NFL All-Pro Team 14 times in his 19-year career for the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans. Matthews was the dominant force of an Oilers offensive line that made seven straight playoff appearances. Matthews’ 296 games is the most in NFL history for any positional player.
Charlie Sanders was voted to seven Pro Bowls during his 10-year career as a tight end with the Detroit Lions. Sanders was also voted to the NFL’s All Decade Team of the 1970s.
Gene Hickerson played 15 years as a guard for the Cleveland Browns. During that span, the Browns never endured a losing season. Hickerson was chosen to the NFL’s All Decade Team of the 1960s.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2007 will be enshrined in August.
