Search By First Name of HOFers
O. J. Simpson
Inducted:
1985
Stats
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
212 lb (96 kg)
Born:
July 9, 1947
San Francisco, California, U.S
Died:
April 10, 2024
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Position:
Running back
College:
CCSF (1965–1966)
USC (1967–1968)
O. J. Simpson was one of the most explosive running backs of the 1970s, known for his rare speed, balance, and open-field elusiveness. Drafted first overall by the Buffalo Bills in 1969, he became the face of the franchise and one of the league’s premier offensive stars. Simpson delivered a historic 1973 season, becoming the first player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards, finishing with 2,003 in just 14 games—an achievement that remains one of football’s greatest single-season performances.
A five-time Pro Bowler and league MVP, he led the NFL in rushing four times and consistently produced big plays behind the Bills’ “Electric Company” offensive line. Simpson later spent two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before retiring in 1979. Despite his post-football controversies, his on-field accomplishments secured his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, where he was inducted in 1985.
Simpson's Awards and Records:
- 3× UPI AFC Offensive Player of the Year (1972, 1973, 1975)
- 4× NFL rushing yards leader (1972, 1973, 1975, 1976)
- 2× NFL rushing touchdowns leader (1973, 1975)
- 5× First-team All-Pro (1972–1976)
- 5× Pro Bowl (1972–1976)
NFL Records:
- NFL Most Valuable Player (1973)
- NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1973)
- NFL scoring leader (1975)
- NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
NFL Teams:
Buffalo Bills (1969–1977)
San Francisco 49ers (1978–1979)
NFL Draft:
1969: 1st round, 1st overall pick
Buffalo Bills
Number Worn:
32
NFL Stats:
Seasons:
10 (1969–1979)
Games Played:
135
Game Started:
129
Rushing yards:
11,236
Rushing average:
4.7
Rushing touchdowns:
61
Receptions:
203
Receiving yards:
2,142
Receiving touchdowns:
14
Ollie Matson
Inducted:
1972
Player Stats
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
Born:
May 1, 1930
Trinity, Texas, U.S.
Died:
February 19, 2011
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Position:
Halfback
Return specialist
College:
San Francisco (1949–1951)
Ollie Matson was one of the most explosive and versatile players of his era, blending sprinter’s speed with football instinct to become a true game-changer. Drafted by the Chicago Cardinals in 1952, Matson’s rare athleticism allowed him to excel as a running back, receiver, and kick returner. Before his NFL career, he was an Olympic star, winning two medals (silver and bronze) at the 1952 Helsinki Games. On the field, he brought that same world-class speed to the NFL, earning six Pro Bowl selections and two First-Team All-Pro honors during his 14-year career.
Matson amassed over 12,800 all-purpose yards and 72 total touchdowns, making him one of the league’s most feared open-field threats. His ability to score from anywhere on the field set a new standard for versatility and athleticism. A pioneer who helped bridge track excellence with football dominance, Ollie Matson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1972 for his outstanding all-around play.
Matson's Awards and Records:
- 7× First-team All-Pro (1952, 1954–1959)
- 6× Pro Bowl (1952, 1954–1958)
- 2× First-Team All-Pro
- NFL punt return yards leader (1955)
- NFL 1950s All-Decade Team
- Olympic Silver and Bronze Medalist (1952)
NFL Records:
- One of the first NFL players to record touchdowns by rush, reception, and return in multiple seasons
- Combined Olympic track success with NFL stardom
- Inducted into the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame
NFL Teams:
Chicago Cardinals (1952–1958)
Los Angeles Rams (1959–1962)
Detroit Lions (1963)
Philadelphia Eagles (1964–1966)
NFL Draft:
1952: 1st round, 3rd overall pick
Chicago Cardinals
Number Worn:
33, 30
NFL Stats:
Seasons:
14 (1952–1966)
Games Played:
171
Game Started:
107
Rushing yards:
5,173
Rushing average:
4.4
Rushing touchdowns:
40
Receptions:
222
Receiving yards:
3,285
Receiving touchdowns:
23
Return yards:
4,341
Return touchdowns:
9
Orlando Pace
Inducted:
2016
Player Stats
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
320 lb (145 kg)
Born:
November 4, 1975
Sandusky, Ohio, U.S.
Position:
Offensive tackle
College:
Ohio State (1994–1996)
Orlando Pace was one of the most dominant and technically gifted offensive tackles of his era, serving as the cornerstone of the St. Louis Rams’ high-powered offense known as “The Greatest Show on Turf.” Selected first overall in the 1997 NFL Draft, Pace anchored the Rams’ offensive line for 12 seasons (1997–2008), protecting quarterback Kurt Warner and opening lanes for running back Marshall Faulk during the team’s championship years.
His rare blend of size, agility, and balance made him nearly unbeatable in pass protection. Pace’s leadership and consistency were instrumental in the Rams’ Super Bowl XXXIV victory and two additional NFC Championship appearances. A seven-time Pro Bowler and three-time First-Team All-Pro, he was universally respected for his quiet professionalism and dominance on the field.
Orlando Pace was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016, honored as one of the greatest offensive tackles and key figures of a historic NFL offense.
Pace's Awards and Records:
- Super Bowl champion (XXXIV)
- 3× First-team All-Pro (1999, 2001, 2003)
- 2× Second-team All-Pro (2000, 2004)
- 7× Pro Bowl (1999–2005)
- NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
- 2× First-team All-Big Ten (1995, 1996)
- First-team AP All-Time All-American (2025)
NFL Records:
- First overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft
- Key blocker for “The Greatest Show on Turf”
- Among the most dominant left tackles in modern NFL history
NFL Teams:
St. Louis Rams (1997–2008)
Chicago Bears (2009)
NFL Draft:
1997: 1st round, 1st overall pick
St. Louis Rams
Number Worn:
76
NFL Stats:
Seasons:
13 (1997–2009)
Games Played:
169
Games Started:
165
Fumble recoveries:
7
Otto Graham
Inducted:
1965
Otto Graham was one of the most dominant quarterbacks in pro football history, leading his teams to championship games in all ten seasons he played. From 1946 to 1955, Graham starred for the Cleveland Browns in both the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and the NFL, winning seven titles overall.
Known for his pinpoint passing, mobility, and leadership, Graham was the engine behind Paul Brown’s innovative offense. He finished his career with a staggering .810 winning percentage—the highest for any quarterback with 50+ starts. Graham was a three-time NFL MVP and led the league in passing multiple times. Equally dangerous as a rusher, he added a physical dimension to the quarterback position.
His impact extended beyond numbers—he set the gold standard for winning and efficiency. Otto Graham was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965, a fitting tribute to one of the greatest winners the game has ever seen.
Graham's Awards and Records
- 3× NFL champion (1950, 1954, 1955)
- 3× NFL Most Valuable Player (1951, 1953, 1955)
- 2× AAFC Most Valuable Player (1947, 1948)
- NFL 1950s All-Decade Team
- NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
- NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
- First-team All-American (1943)
- Third-team All-American (1942)
- Chicago Tribune Silver Football (1943)
- First-team All-Big Ten (1943)
- 2× Second-team All-Big Ten (1941, 1942)
NFL Records
- Highest career winning percentage by a quarterback (minimum 1,500 passing attempts): .813
- Most career yards per passing attempt (minimum 1,500 passing attempts): 8.6
NFL Teams
As a player:
Cleveland Browns (1946–1955)
As a coach:
Coast Guard (1959–1965)
Washington Redskins (1966–1968)
Coast Guard (1974–1975)
As a staff member / executive:
Washington Redskins (1966–1968)
NFL Draft:
1944: 1st round, 4th pick
Detroit Lions
Number Worn:
60, 14
NFL Stats
Seasons Played:
1946–1955
Games Played:
126
Passing Yards:
23,584
Passing TDs:
174
Interceptions:
135
Rushing Yards:
882
Rushing TDs:
44
Championship Appearances:
10
Championship Wins:
7
Career Win (%):
.810
Red Grange
Inducted:
1963
Red Grange, known as "The Galloping Ghost," was one of the most important figures in early football history. A college superstar at Illinois, he brought instant credibility and national attention to the NFL when he joined the Chicago Bears in 1925. Grange’s electrifying speed, elusive running, and ability to dominate on both offense and defense made him a phenomenon. His barnstorming tour with the Bears helped legitimize professional football during a time when the college game reigned supreme.
Though injuries shortened his NFL career, his impact was enormous—on the field and in the league’s growth. Grange was known for his integrity, athleticism, and unmatched popularity. He later served as a coach, broadcaster, and ambassador for the sport. His legacy as a founding icon of pro football earned him a place as a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.
Grange's Awards and Records
- 2× NFL champion (1932, 1933)
- 2× First-team All-Pro (1930, 1931)
- Chicago Bears No. 77 retired
- 100 greatest Bears of All-Time
- National champion (1923)
- 2× Consensus All-American (1923, 1925)
- Big Ten Most Valuable Player (1924)
- 3× First-team All-Big Ten (1923–1925)
NFL Records
- NFL 1920s All-Decade Team
- Among the first players to bridge college and pro football
- Considered the first true national football superstar
- Named to the NFL’s 100 Greatest Players list in 2019
NFL Teams
As a player:
Chicago Bears (1925)
New York Yankees (1926–1927)
Chicago Bears (1929–1934)
As a coach:
Chicago Bears (1935–1937)
As executive:
New York Yankees (1926–1927)
Number Worn:
77
NFL Stats
Seasons:
1925–1927, 1929–1934
Rushing yards:
569
Rushing average:
3.3
Rushing touchdowns:
21
Receptions:
16
Receiving yards:
288
Receiving touchdowns:
10
Ozzie Newsome
Inducted:
1999
Stats
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
232 lb (105 kg)
Born:
March 16, 1956
Muscle Shoals, Alabama, U.S.
Position:
Tight End
College:
Alabama (1974–1977)
Ozzie Newsome was one of the most complete and reliable tight ends in NFL history, combining precise route running with exceptional hands and intelligence. Spending his entire 13-year career with the Cleveland Browns (1978–1990), Newsome became the franchise’s all-time leading receiver at the time of his retirement.
Known as “The Wizard of Oz,” he redefined the tight end position by blending wide receiver-level agility with the blocking strength of a lineman. He recorded 662 receptions, 7,980 yards, and 47 touchdowns, setting a new standard for consistency and production. Beyond his stellar playing career, Newsome made history again as the NFL’s first African American general manager, building the Baltimore Ravens’ Super Bowl-winning rosters.
His leadership, integrity, and impact both on and off the field made him one of football’s most respected figures. Ozzie Newsome was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999, celebrated for his excellence as both a player and executive.
Newsome's Awards and Records:
- 2× First-team All-Pro (1979, 1984)
- 4× Second-team All-Pro (1980, 1981, 1983, 1985)
- 3× Pro Bowl (1981, 1984, 1985)
- NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
- Cleveland Browns Ring of Honor
NFL Records:
- Retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions by a tight end
- First African American general manager to win a Super Bowl
- One of the most respected figures in NFL history
NFL Teams:
Cleveland Browns (1978–1990)
NFL Draft:
1978: 1st round, 23rd overall pick
Cleveland Browns
Number Worn:
82
NFL Stats:
Seasons:
13 (1978–1990)
Games Played:
198
Games Started:
191
Receptions:
662
Receiving yards:
7,980
Receiving touchdowns:
47
Yards per Receptions:
12.1
Sports Fan Products
NFL Hall of Fame
The NFL Hall of Fame, also known as the Pro Football Hall of Fame, is where the legacies of NFL legends and their contributions to football history are celebrated. Located in Canton, Ohio, this iconic institution honors the greatest players, coaches, and contributors through its annual Hall of Fame enshrinement and NFL Hall of Fame ceremony. From the NFL Hall of Fame Class of 2025 and its nominees to the unforgettable Hall of Fame speeches, each year brings new highlights and moments that capture the spirit of the game. Featuring Hall of Fame players, coaches, and even legendary quarterbacks, the Hall showcases the rich history of football with exhibits, stories of remarkable careers, and events like the NFL Hall of Fame game. A visit to the Hall is a journey through the most iconic NFL greats, their achievements, and the unforgettable Hall of Fame moments that define the sport we love. 🏈✨
