Hail to The Hangman! Pro Football Hall of Fame Inducts Chris Hanburger

The Pro Football Hall of Fame inducts their 2011 class today. Washington Redskins legend Chris Hanburger, a Seniors nominee, finds himself joining the heralded walls of Canton.

Some of you may recall my quest to get Chris his long overdue respect. His nine Pro Bowls are the most in Redskins history, and his four First Team All-Pro honors is tied with the legendendary "Slingin" Sammy Baugh as the most in franchise history. He was also named 1972 Defensive Player of the Year by the NFL 101 Committee.

I wanted to give you real Redskins and NFL fans a gift. I spent months talking to players and coaches Chris played against or with. They graciously gave me quotes and letters, which I compiled into a package and submitted to the Seniors Committee of the Hall of Fame a few months ago. His peers awoke the voters and got "The Hangman" finally inducted.

For those who saw Hanburger play, none of these quotes will surprise you. For those younger fans oblivious to his greatness, this may help educate you on the impact Chris Hanburger had on the game of football while wearing a Redskins jersey.

Please enjoy :



JACKIE SMITH
Tight End
1963 - 1978
Hall Of Fame Inductee 1994

As tight end playing for St. Louis and in the same division as the Redskins, I played against Chris twice a season for quite a few years. When I first started playing, linebackers were big strong guys, not very mobile and geared more to stopping the running game.

Chris should be the "poster boy" for the new era of linebackers that could not only be effective against the run, but equally effective against the pass. His combination of strength and speed made it very difficult to block him or even get position on him. His ability to anticipate and then react allowed him to knock down passes in the intermediate distances and make tackles on the opposite side of the field.

He had to be the first linebacker to broaden the scope of the linebacker and increase the expectations of other teams of their linebackers.

I seriously doubt if I ever effectively blocked Chris. My guess is I only got in his way for a split second, because he was intent on being where the ball was on every play.

He was a player all teams had to prepare for...or at least try to.

Added to his great skill is another important aspect of Chris Hanburger. We need to remember the gentlemen that played this game. These are players that played the game with their heart because they appreciated the opportunity and wanted to do their best. They modestly reflect on their accomplishments simply because they would not have been satisfied with less.

Chris Hanburger belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.








Joe Gibbs
Former Head Coach, The Washington Redskins
1981 - 1992, 2004 - 2007
Hall Of Fame Inductee 1996

When Chris was an active player, I coached against him when I was an assistant coach of the St. Louis Cardinals. When we prepared our game plans, we always considered how Chris might react against our plays. We considered him to be an exceptional player and we always took that into consideration during our game planning. He was an all around player who made the most of his abilities. He was tough and smart – two player qualities that I always wanted in my players.

Even though I never coached Chris, I have respect for him as a person and a football player. He is a big part of the Washington Redskins history.








MIKE DITKA
Tight End
1961 – 1972
Hall Of Fame Inductee 1988

Chris was a hell of a player. He could beat you with finesse. He was always in position, and was smart and quick. He also could use power.

He was quiet and did his job, having a great career without the attention he deserved.

People get too caught up in statistics. He knocked me on my ass.

When I was in Dallas, Coach Landry would always tell us to watch him.

He belongs in the Hall Of Fame.





CHARLIE SANDERS
Tight End
1968 - 1977
Hall Of Fame Inductee 2007

Chris was smart. He was a real student of the game, and studied his opponents. He had a nose for the ball, and was very hard to block. He always gave me a headache.





RAYMOND BERRY
Wide Receiver/ Coach
1955 – 1967, 1968-1992
Hall Of Fame Inductee 1973

He should be in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. Nine Pro Bowls speaks for themselves.

I remember one play I caught a pass, and Hanburger absolutely blasted me. As he was laying on me, I fixed my helmet, looked at him and asked, “Are you OK?” Hanburger looked at me stunned by the question.





SONNY JURGENSEN
Quarterback
1957 – 1974
Hall Of Fame Inductee 1983

Chris Hanburger is the smartest linebacker to ever play in the NFL. He was a coach on the field.

Chris belongs in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. His nine Pro Bowls is proof.




Roger Staubach
Quarterback
1969 - 1979
Hall Of Fame Inductee 1985

Chris was an outstanding linebacker in the NFL. Even though we had our great rivalry and I didn't like the Redskins, I respected him.


John Hannah
Offensive Guard
1973 - 1985
Hall Of Fame Inductee 1991

He was, at that time, the smartest player in the league. We did everything we could to try to eliminate him from the play. We knew if we didn't neutralize him, then we had less of a chance of winning.






CHARLE YOUNG
Tight End
1973 – 1986

Chris Hanburger was one of the best. It takes an All-Pro, such as myself, to know another All-Pro.

He was the toughest linebacker I ever went against in my career.

He was extremely difficult to block, and he was never out of position. He was a smart, hard working player who got the job done.

He could read you. He knew what you were going to do before you did.





HOMER JONES
Wide Receiver
1964 – 1970

I feared Chris Hanburger much more than Dick Butkus, or any other linebacker in the NFL. He could run with me, and he could hit very hard. He was also very smart.

Chris Hanburger deserves entry into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.








NORM BULAICH
Fullback
1970 – 1979

Chris Hanburger should be in Canton. The voters must wake up. He went to nine Pro Bowls!

Voters do not realize how hard it is to just make an NFL team, let alone be voted to the Pro Bowl by your peers.

He is at the top of my list of linebackers I played against in my career.

I respected him. He had great football sense. He was very fast, and hard to block. His knowledge of defense was excellent, and he always got to the ball.









JIM HANIFAN
Coach
1973 – 2003

Chris Hanburger played a mistake free game. He just never made mistakes. Don Coryell, Joe Gibbs, and I would game plan on him, but it did not work.

He was intelligent and excellent. He deserves induction into Canton. .

I will always remember one particular game. George Allen had Hanburger reading the hand signs Gibbs and I was flashing to Jim Hart, our quarterback. Hanburger kept making play after play, destroying our gameplan.

I got so mad. On the next play, I saw Hanburger looking over at our sideline. I flashed him the middle finger, which caused Hanburger’s jaw to drop as he looked at me in disbelief. I still laugh today at this memory.






CALVIN HILL
Running Back
1969 – 1981

The best outside linebackers I ever faced were Chris Hanburger, Jack Ham, and Chuck Howley. It was Hanburger, however, who gave me the most trouble and taught me the most. Hanburger made me a better player.

He was scary.

He was the guy who captained the Redskins defense, and called their signals. I hardly ever beat him, and it usually took me all game just to beat him on a play.

You never knew when he was going to blitz, and he often jumped over me on a blitz. He was smart, and gave you different looks. He was a nightmare to oppose.

You would just hope to try to beat him some of the time. He was slippery, and was resourceful. He was difficult to beat athletically, because he was such a great athlete. He was great at the point of attack.

He could really run, and was fluid in his flow. You had to game plan specifically against him, because you knew he was a top opponent.

When I was with the Redskins, he was a great teammate. He was really great in practice also.

He was a big play guy who defined the WLB position. There is a reason he was a Pro Bowl player nine times.

The fact he is not in Canton shows the voters do not understand how good he was.





BRIG OWENS
Safety
1966 – 1977

Chris Hanburger is one of the all-time greats. He was a strong leader both on and off the field.

It is inexcusable that he has yet to be mentioned for induction. He went to nine Pro Bowls, the most in franchise history.

He knew how to read plays. He would argue with Sam Huff in the huddle over what play to call, which kept the team loose.

He was a great friend and teammate.








PRESTON PEARSON
Running Back
1967 – 1980

I had lots of clashes on the gridiron with him, and I never looked forward to opposing Chris Hanburger. He was an all around linebacker.

He was studied, and he knew his opponents. He was always well prepared.

Not only was he very smart, but he was a hard-hitting linebacker. He was really, really tough. He deserves induction.








BRAD DUSEK
Linebacker
1974 – 1981

Chris taught me everything I know how to play linebacker.

He was our “one” general on the team. He knew over 300 audibles for our defense.

He was modest, smart, quick, and fast. He was always one step ahead of the opponents. He had this amazing ability to read the eyes of running backs. He had a sixth sense.

Chris Hanburger should be inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.







LEN HAUSS
Center
1964 – 1977

I was Chris Hanburger’s roommate for eight seasons on road games. He was always a smart player, and one of the hardest hitting players in the league.

He had a quiet, business like approach. He was not a “look at me” type of player, meaning he would never blow his own horn. He put the team first.

He would study the opponent’s non-stop. He knew the opposition, and was excellent at studying their tendencies.

He was a great player, and a team player. He deserves to be in Canton.








RICKIE HARRIS
Defensive Back
1965 – 1972

Chris Hanburger was the smartest player I ever played with. I really respected him.

He taught me how to read a defense, and he often covered me on the field. He was so smart; you knew you could depend on him to play a defender. It made my job easier.

Our defense was dependent on him to get us in the right position. He was regimented on defensive duty, and knew all of our assignments.

He could run with everyone in the NFL, and he often covered wide receivers on pass plays. He is also one of the best blitzers I ever saw play.

Chris Hanburger was a great player, and he deserves induction into Canton.








Facts :



Chris Hanburger
Washington Redskins
Linebacker
6'2" 220
1965 - 1978
14 Seasons
187 Games Played
19 Interceptions
17 Fumble Recoveries
5 Touchdowns
9 Pro Bowls
4 First Team All-Pro Teams
1972 NFL 101 NFC Defensive Player of the Year

Christian G. Hanburger was an 18th round draft choice of the Redskins in 1965. He was the 245TH player chosen that year. He was a 25 year old rookie, due to his service in the Army before going to the University of North Carolina.

At UNC, he was a 2 way player who was named All ACC at Center his junior and senior years. In 1963, his team won the ACC Championship.

Hanburger played right away and was in the Pro Bowl by his second year in the league. He would then begin a string of Pro Bowl appearances until 1969.

He then resumed that string in 1972 until 1976.

Sacks and tackles were not recorded in those days, but Hanburger was a playmaker.

He is considered one of the best of his era. He was known for his blitzing ability and pass coverage.

Ever the complete player, he returned three fumbles for touchdowns, the third most in NFL history, in his career to go with two more on interceptions.

In 1972, Hanburger captained the Over The Hill gangs defense to a Super Bowl appearance and was named NFC Defensive Player of the Year by the NFL 101 Club.

Hanburger was known not only for good speed, but his exceptional intelligence and quickness.

He had the innate ability to diagnose a play before the ball was hiked. He often would cover the other teams tight end and peel off to knock passes down meant for wide receivers.

Hall Of Fame coach George Allen liked to leave Hanburger in charge of the play calling on defense, and named his team captain for many seasons.

Chris Hanburger's nine Pro Bowl appearances are still the most by any player in the entire history of the Washington Redskins.

His four First Team All-Pro honors are tied with Hall Of Famer Sammy Baugh as the most in team history.

Chuck Howley

Chuck Howley
6'3" 228
Linebacker
Dallas Cowboys
1958-1973
15 Seasons
180 Games Played
25 Interceptions
18 Fumble Recoveries
3 Touchdowns
6 Pro Bowls
Super Bowl V MVP

Charles Louis Howley was drafted in the first round of the 1958 draft by the Chicago Bears. He was the seventh player selected overall.

Howley went to college at West Virginia University. He was a tremendous athlete who starred in five different sports while with the Mountaineers. He was named the 1956 Southern Conference Athlete of the Year and helped his diving team win a championship.

He was used as an offensive lineman on the gridiron,playing guard and center. Three times he all named All-Conference, and his senior year saw him named the Southern Conference Player of the Year. Howley in an inaugural member of the WVU Sports Hall of Fame.

Bill Roehnelt, a 19th round draft pick that year, beat Howley out for a starting job, but the two rookies shared the position during games and Howley picked off a pass. He blew out his knee early in the 1959 so bad that he thought his career was over, so Howley retired.

During the spring of 1961, Howley discovered his knee was healthy again during an alumni game. A former Bears teammate, guard Don Healey, had joined the Dallas Cowboys and told Hall of Fame head coach Tom Landry that Howley could really help a team that won no games in their 1960 expansion year.

Landry took a chance and dealt a second and ninth round draft pick to Chicago to attain Howley's services. Landry, a defensive guru, worked hard to develop the exceptionally athletic Howley and the 10.1 speed he brought.

Howley won a starters job in training camp and would hold onto it the next 12 seasons. While Dallas often used the speedy linebacker on the weak side, Howley was gifted enough to play several seasons on the strong side as well.

He was an excellent blitzer, so nimble that many who saw Howley play swear he could have been a Pro Bowl running back too. Yet Dallas needed him on defense, where he and Lee Roy Jordan were important members of the "flex defense" led by Hall of Fame defensive tackle Bob Lilly.

Jordan, Howley, and Dave Edwards were the starting linebackers until 1972. Howley and Jordan were Pro Bowl players, while Edwards and Howley could man the strong or weak side with ease.

One huge strength of the trio was their ability to defend the pass. The group ended their careers with an amazing 70 interceptions and 52 fumble recoveries for Dallas. Yet it was the athleticism and versatility of Howley that many considered to be the glue that held the unit together.

Landry said "I don’t know that I’ve seen anybody better at linebacker than Howley."

Howley made the first of five straight Pro Bowls in 1965. He made the first of five consecutive First Team All-Pro nods in 1966 after taking a fumble 97 yards fotr a touchdown.

The Cowboys started winning and would go to the NFL Championship Game in 1967, against the Green Bay Packers, in what is now known as the "Ice Bowl."

The 1968 season was one of his best. Howley had a career best six interceptions and returned one for a touchdown. Though he had five in 1970, he was not selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time since 1964.

The Cowboys reached Super Bowl V in 1970 to play the Baltimore Colts. Super Bowl V was the best game of his career. "It was one of those kind of games when I was in the right place at the right time, all the time, said Howley." Even when I made mistakes and was out of position, I was in the right place."

Though Dallas lost the game, often called the "Blunder Bowl" for all of the penalties and turnovers committed, Howley was named MVP after intercepting two passes and recovering a fumble. Not only was he the first defensive player to win this award, he is still the only one on a losing team to garner it.

The 1971 season saw Howley earn his final Pro Bowl honor. Dallas reached the Super Bowl again and won the first championship in franchise history. Howley played well enough to win the MVP Award again, recovering a fumble and returning an interception 41 yards, but it was given to quarterback Roger Staubach instead.

Dallas made a bid for a third consecutive Super Bowl appearance in 1972, but were thwarted by the Washington Redskins in the NFC Championship Game. Howley picked off one pass that season, the last of his career.

Landry asked Howley to spend the 1973 season on the taxi squad so he could try to develop rookie linebackers Rodrigo Barnes and John Babinecz. Though he did suit up for one game that season, he retired at the end of the year.

The career Howley had with Dallas might be best described as a miraculous gift. While he was once content with the fact his football career was over, the knee healed well enough to make him one of the most durable players in Cowboys history.

Excluding the 1973 season, Howley missed just four games his entire 13 seasons with the team. This durability has left his name written all over the Cowboys record books.

Not only is his 97-yard fumble recovery return for a score the longest in franchise history, but his 191 career yards off fumble recoveries is too. The 17 fumbles he recovered is tied with Edwards as the fifth most ever by a Dallas defender.

His 24 career interceptions with Dallas is the tenth most in franchise history and the most ever by a Cowboys outside linebacker. His 395 return yards off of those interceptions is ranked eighth.

His five First Team All-Pro honors are the fourth most in Dallas history, and his six Pro Bowls are the most ever by a Cowboys linebacker. Howley was the fourth player to be inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor.

It is quite amazing that he still waits for his induction into Canton. Howley's exclusion, may Dallas fans feel, is proof the voters have a anti-Cowboys bias. Howley, Jordan, and Cliff Harris were members of one of the best defenses ever, and all should have been inducted long ago.

When you talk to his peers, all say how difficult is was to try to block or catch when opposing Howley. His speed allowed him to blanket opponents and his athleticism allowed for him to quickly recover from any mistakes.

He isn't only the most athletic linebackers Dallas ever had, but one of the most athletic players period. Landry asked Howley to punt the ball once in a game, and the linebacker put it 37-yards in the air without a return.

When you see Tom Landry call Howley the best linebacker he ever saw, this must give one pause. Landry wasn't just a legendary coach, but he was a Pro Bowl defensive back as well.

Landry played alongside Hall of Famers like Emlen Tunnel, Arnie Weinmeister, Rosey Brown, and Frank Gifford, then later coached Huff, Andy Robustelli, Bob Lilly, Randy White, Mel Renfro, and many Pro Bowlers on defense.

Not only did Landry play for and against legends, he coached them as well. For him to say Howley was the best should have put the linebacker in Canton years ago. Even without those kudos, the numbers Howley put up is worthy.

As I have stated in other linebackers I have profiled, it is a shame a player as well-rounded as Howley has been excluded to the point of being buried in the deep seniors pool while inferior players have gone in on the regular vote decades later.

When you look at a Ricky Jackson, Andre Tippett, and Derrick Thomas go in ahead of Howley, one has to question of the validity of the voters football knowledge. While all three are worthy, they were one-dimensional players and playing linebacker well isn't just rushing the passer.

With Chris Hanburger finally getting his respect, it hopefully will start a run on outside linebackers long overdue for induction. Men like Howley, Maxie Baughan, Matt Blair, and Robert Brazile are just a few of many well deserving.

It has almost been fourth decades since Chuck Howley hung up his cleats. Hopefully he will not have to wait another decade to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.



Notable Players Drafted In 1958 ( * Denotes Hall of Famer )

2. John David Crow, RB, Chicago Cardinals
3. Dan Currie, LB, Green Bay Packers
4. Lou Michaels, OT, Los Angeles Rams
5. Red Phillips, WR, Rams
9. Charles Krueger, DT, San Francisco 49ers
10. Alex Karras, DT, Detroit Lions
11. Lenny Lyles, DB, Baltimore Colts
15. Jim Taylor, FB, Packers *
18. Willard Dewveall, WR, Bears
19. Clendon Thomas, DB, Rams
27. Dick Cristy, RB, Packers
31. Bill Anderson, WR, Washington Redskins
32. Billy Krisher, G, Pittsburgh Steelers
36. Ray Nitschke, MLB, Packers *
39. Jerry Kramer, G, Packers
42. Erich Barnes, DB, Bears
45. Wayne Walker, LB, Lions
55. Frank Ryan, QB, Rams
58. Bobby Joe Conrad, WR, New York Giants
59. Billy Atkins, DB, 49ers
61. Jim Gibbons, E, Cleveland Browns
62. Ken Gray, G, Packers
66. Dick Lynch, DB, Redskins
84. Bobby Mitchell, RB, Browns *
93. Floyd Peters, DT, Colts
108. Bernie Parrish, DB, Browns
126. Darrell Dess, G, Redskins
137. Johnny Morris, WR, Bears
141. Tom Addison, LB, Colts
159. Bob Schmidt, C, Cardinals
189. Archie Matos, LB, Colts
218. Sonny Randle, WR, Cardinals
244. John Madden, OT, Philadelphia Eagles * (Hall of Fame Coach)
289. Dave Whitsell, CB, Lions

The Best Middle Linebackers Not In Canton

Randy Gradishar
6'3" 233
Linebacker
Denver Broncos
1973 - 1984
Ten Seasons
145 Games Played
20 Interceptions
4 Touchdowns
7 Pro Bowls
1978 NFL Defensive Player of the Year

Randolph Charles Gradishar was drafted in the first round of the 1973 draft by the Denver Broncos. He was the 14th player chosen overall.

He attended college at Ohio State University under legendary coach Woody Hayes. Hayes, who sent over 98 players to the professional football level in his Hall of Fame career, called Gradishar the finest linebacker he ever coached.

Not only is he a member of the schools All-Century Team and their Hall of Fame, but Radish is also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. An excellent student in college, he is also inducted into the GTE Academic Hall of Fame and is on the ABC Sports All-Century team.

Denver brought him along slowly in his rookie year, starting just three of 14 games behind veteran Ray May. May was the 1971 NFL Man of the Year and a member of the Super Bowl V champion Baltimore Colts.

He started every game the next year, the last season the Broncos would run a base 4-3 defense during his tenure with the club. He was named to the Pro Bowl after grabbing three interceptions and taking one in 44 yards for a touchdown. He scored once again the following year off of another three picks and had seven quarterback sacks.

Denver went into the 1977 season running the 3-4 defense under coach Joe Collier. With players like Gradishar, Louis Wright, Tom Jackson, Bill Thompson, Reuben Carter, Bob Swensen, Lyle Alzado, and Barney Chavous, the Broncos had one of the most feared defenses in all of football history.

They were dubbed the "Orange Crush", and a soft drink named after them soon became very popular. Five members of the defense was named to the Pro Bowl that year and four were named First Team All-Pro, including Gradishar.

They led Denver to a 12-2 record and an appearance in Super Bowl XII. Though they lost the game, the defense left a permanent mark on NFL history with their excellence by allowing just 10.6 points per game that year.

Radish may have had his finest season the following year, where he was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year by both the Associated Press and UPI. He also was named the winner of the George Halas Award and Linebacker of the Year by Football Digest.

Denver's defense was second in the league in points allowed, and Gradishar was one of five Bronco defenders to go to the Pro Bowl.

Football Digest named him NFL Linebacker of the Year again in 1979. He was once again selected to the Pro Bowl.

Though he failed to make the Pro Bowl in 1980, he did take one interception a career long 93 yards for the last touchdown of his career. He was also named First Team All-NFL by the Sporting News.

Gradishar made the Pro Bowl the next three years before retiring after the 1983 season. He never missed a game in his entire career, an amazing feat for someone playing such a violent position where he had to give up his body on virtually every play to prevent the opponents from success.

Not only was he durable, very intelligent, quick on his feet, and a big hitter, but Gradishar was also a masterful technician. He had the innate ability to diagnose a play and was seldom fooled.

This, along with his foot speed, allowed him to defend just about any opponent on a pass play. This ability allowed Denver the luxury of blitzing their outside linebackers, knowing he could cover their assignments.

His specialty may have been the short-yardage situation. With a superb ability to sift would-be blockers, he often filled the holes the opposing running backs would run to. Though he didn't have the toothless snarl of Jack Lambert or easily seen nastiness of Dick Butkus, he was just as good as those two Hall of Famers.

Some of the best running backs in NFL history, Walter Payton and Tony Dorsett, are on record espousing his tremendous hitting ability. "The chance for a real good shot comes very seldom, but when it's there I take full advantage of it." Gradishar once said.

There have been few linebackers to take the gridiron on his level. He is a member of the Broncos Ring of Honor and Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. Why he has yet to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame is beyond bewildering. He has been a finalist twice and a semi-finalist four times.

Now he is in a gigantic pool of candidates in the Seniors Committee list. Though he should have long been inducted before he made it that far, he is caught in a quagmire of a selection process where no more than two candidates yearly can just make it to the final vote process.

It would behoove Canton to double that, allowing the Seniors Committee to try to induct at least four each year. The backlog of excellent players is too long, and it is frustrating seeing lesser modern players go in as superior players are caught in a numbers crunch that is much harder to win than a slots machine jackpot at a casino.

Watching a player as great as Randy Gradishar wait this long to get his deserved respect truly shows the ineptness of the Canton voter.

Though no one can question the recent inductions of linebackers like Andre Tippett, Ricky Jackson, and Derrick Thomas, no one would ever say that any were better football players than Gradishar.

Though deserving, it is a travesty the much more deserving Gradishar continues to wait on his rightful placement in the hallowed walls of Canton.







Tommy Nobis
6'2" 240
Linebacker
Atlanta Falcons
1966 - 1976
11 Seasons
133 Games Played
5 Pro Bowls
1966 NFL Rookie of the Year


Thomas Henry Nobis Jr. was the first draft pick ever by the expansion Atlanta Falcons in the 1966 NFL draft. He was also the first player chosen overall.

Nobis is a legend in Texas. He was was the only sophomore starter on the Longhorns' 1963 National Championship team.

No bis averaged nearly 20 tackles per game at Texas, and was a two-way player on teams that were ranked first in the nation at some point during each of his three years.

He graced the covers of Life, Sports Illustrated and Time magazines. Nobis won the Knute Rockne, Outland, and Maxwell Awards and finished seventh in the Heisman voting.

Nobis was selected to the Football News All-Time All-America Team, Sports Illustrated's All-Century Team, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation All-Century Team.

He is also a member of the Texas and Georgia State High School Halls of Fame, Thomas Jefferson High School Alumni Hall of Fame, the San Antonio Hall of Fame, the Longhorn Hall of Honor and the National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame.

Nobis started right away for the Falcons, and was very busy on a new team that struggled to a 3-11 record.

He set a Falcons record, that still stands today, when he amassed 294 tackles. It may be an NFL record, but that stat is unofficial and kept by individual teams.

He was named to the Pro Bowl and was the 1966 NFL Rookie of the Year.

Nobis intercepted the first three passes of his career the next season, and returned one for a touchdown. He was also selected to his second Pro Bowl and only First Team All-Pro honor.

In 1968, he was named to his third Pro Bowl, as the struggling Falcons went through a coaching change by hiring Hall of Famer Norm Van Brocklin after the third week of the season.

Nobis was injured in the fifth game of the following year, and missed the rest of the season. He came back in 1970 and was named to the Pro Bowl. He then was injured in the fourth game of the following season, and missed the rest of the year.

Nobis would only miss two games for the rest of his career. He made his last Pro Bowl in 1972, and also scored the last touchdown of his career.

The 1973 season would be the best record the Falcons had during Nobis' career. They went 9-5. Atlanta won 50 games in his eleven seasons.

His number 60 the first number retired by the team, and he is a member of the Falcons' Ring of Honor, Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, and the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame.

He has also been named the NFL Man of the Year (Dodge and Vitalis), and Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. award, due to his work with the Special Olympics as a member of the Falcons front office, and in his own foundation.

Nobis is on the NFL's All-1960s team, which is quite an accomplishment if you consider he didn't even play half of the decade.

It is TRULY astounding that 'Mr. Falcon' still has yet to be inducted into Canton. While he played on many lousy teams, but he was outstanding.

Atlanta got little publicity during his time as a player, but the voters cannot use this as an excuse. These voters are supposed to represent the whole NFL, not just the media driven franchises.

They are supposed to be experts, or at least this is what their positions as voters implies. The exclusion of Nobis for all of these years belies that thought.

Tommy Nobis epitomizes what a Hall of Fame football player is supposed to symbolize. Both on and off the field. It is truly disgraceful, and disrespectful, that he is not in Canton.







Lee Roy Jordan
6'1" 221
Linebacker
Dallas Cowboys
1963 - 1976
14 Seasons
186 Games Played
32 Interceptions
18 Fumble Recoveries
3 Touchdowns
1 Safety
5 Pro Bowls

Lee Roy Jordan was the Dallas Cowboys first draft pick of the 1963 draft. He was the sixth player chosen overall. Jordan was already a gridiron legend in college, after a spectacular career at Alabama University.

In his last game with Alabama in the Orange Bowl against Oklahoma University, Jordan piled up a whopping 30 tackles and was named the games MVP. He is a member of the Alabama Hall Of Fame and the College Football Hall Of Fame.

He only suited up for seven games in his rookie year, but started each game at outside linebacker on the left side. He ended up swiping three interceptions and recovering a fumble.

He was moved to middle linebacker in 1966 and would stay there the rest of his career. This was the time the famous "Doomsday Defense" was at its beginnings, and Jordan was the leader.

He picked off one pass that year and returned it 49 yards for a score that year. Jordan had three interceptions the next year for a career best 85 yards, while scoring another touchdown and recording a safety.

The Cowboys would end up making it to the 1967 NFL Championship Game before losing to the Green Bay Packers in the famous "Ice Bowl". He was named to the first of three consecutive Pro Bowls that season.

Jordan ended up playing in Super Bowl V, the first Super Bowl after the NFL/ AFL merger. The Cowboys ended up losing in the waning seconds to the Baltimore Colts in a game dubbed "The Blunder Bowl" because it was a game that featured 11 turnovers by both teams and 10 penalties against Dallas.

Jordan had two interceptions and a career best three fumble recoveries in 1971. The Cowboys would go on to beat the Miami Dolphins 24 - 3 in Super Bowl VI. It is the only Super Bowl where a team was prevented from scoring a touchdown.

Jordan had two more swipes in 1972, then had a career high six interceptions in 1973. In one game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Jordan picked off three passes in a five-minute span.

He took one ball for a 31 yard touchdown, and was named to the Pro Bowl after the season. He made his final Pro Bowl in 1974 after getting two interceptions.

The 1975 season saw Jordan tie his career high of six interceptions, while leading the Cowboys to Super Bowl X. The Cowboys ended up losing a close game to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jordan again started every game in 1976, but did not record any turnovers for only the second time of his career.

He then retired after that season as the franchises all-time leader in tackles, and his 32 interceptions are still tied for the third most ever by a linebacker in NFL history. Jordan is a member of the Cowboys Ring Of Fame.

There are a few theories as to why Jordan still awaits his call to Canton. One is that he was a member of a fantastic defense that featured Hall Of Fame Defensive Tackle Bob Lilly, along with such greats as George Andrie, Chuck Howley, Jethro Pugh, Charlie Waters, Cornell Green, and Cliff Harris.

Then there is some that say is was because of the genius diagramming of Hall Of Fame Coach Tom Landry that the "Doomsday Defense" was so effective.

Others believe that the voters have some anti-Cowboys bias from that era as well. Maybe all those points have some validity, but you cannot ignore the facts that Jordan has placed in front of all to see through his play on the field.

He was a true leader who always gave it everything he had on every play without fail. Not only was he a tackling machine, but the man helped get the ball back for his teams offense over 50 times in his career.

Jordan gathered a turnover in every 3.72 games he played in his career, an outstanding percentage. His three interception game was named one of the ten most memorable moments in the history of Texas Stadium in 2008.

Not a big man in size or stature, Jordan's heart was immeasurable, and he was one of the top linebackers in the NFL almost every year that he played.

When you see the late Derrick Thomas of the Kansas City Chiefs inducted, though deservedly so, it can make one wonder. Thomas was known for just rushing the passer, and was not the complete player that Jordan was.

Lee Roy Jordan certainly is deserving of being inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.








Sam Mills
5'9" 229
Linebacker
New Orleans Saints
1986-1997
12 Seasons
181 Games Played
23 Fumbles Recovered
4 Touchdowns
5 Pro Bowls

Samuel Davis Mills Jr. went undrafted in 1981, then tried out with the Cleveland Browns and was cut. He then tried out with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League and was cut again.

The United States Football League began playing in 1983 and Mills tried out for the Philadelphia Stars. Not only did he make the team, he became an instant success. Nicknamed the "Field Mouse", the 5'9" Mills was known for his leadership and intensity both on and off the field.

The USFL folded after 1985, but it did have many successes. Six members of the USFL are inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, including four players. Mills played in the USFL Championship Game all three seasons, winning twice. He is a member of the USFL All-Time Team, and was named All-USFL, their version of the Pro Bowl, all three years.

David Dixon created the USFL. He also was instrumental in bringing the Saints to New Orleans. His connections with the USFL proved to be valuable when that league folded as he signed many former USFL personnel.

He hired Jim Mora Sr. as his head coach, Bobby Hebert as his starting quarterback, Chuck Commiskey as a starting offensive guard, Buford Jordan as the starting fullback, Antonio Gibson as the starting strong safety, Mel Gray as the return specialist, and Mills and Vaughn Johnson as his starting inside linebackers. Mora had coached Mills, Commiskey, and Gibson in the USFL.

The Saints already had Hall of Famer Ricky Jackson at one outside linebacker slot, and had just drafted future Pro Bowler Pat Swilling to bookend him. Teamed with Mills and Johnson, New Orleans has one of the best linebacker corps in NFL history. The group was so devastating that they were called "The Dome Patrol".

Mills was the leader of the group and made his first Pro Bowl in his second season. He was always around the ball and averaged almost 100 tackles a year in his nine season with the Saints. He also took two fumble recoveries in for touchdowns and made the Pro Bowl four times total.

When his contract expired in 1994, the Saint allowed the 36-year old to leave despite the fact he had just piled up a career high 155 tackles that year for them. Mills signed with the expansion Carolina Panthers determined to show he had a lot of football still in him. He became an instant hero for the Panthers.

The 1996 season was one of his best. He was named to the Pro Bowl and was also given his only First Team All-Pro honor. Mills had a career best 5.5 sacks to go with 122 tackles and became the oldest player in NFL history to recover a fumble and return it for a score.

He retired after the 1997 season and became a linebackers coach for Carolina. He found out he had intestinal cancer and only had a few months to live in 2003, but kept coaching and pleading for his players to "keep pounding". This inspired Carolina to reach Super Bowl XXXVIII that year.

Mills died in 2005 and the Panthers have a statue of him outside of their stadium in his honor. He is a member of the Panthers Hall of Honor, the Saints Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, the Sports Hall of Fame of New Jersey, and the College Football Hall of Fame.

There is still a good chance Mills will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day. Though critics may say his five Pro Bowls with the NFL isn't enough for induction, that means they are discounting what he did in the USFL.

The USFL was professional football, and Mills was a huge star in that league. The building in Canton has the words Pro Football" engraved on their buildings, signs, and letterheads everywhere. The USFL obviously had tremendous impact and influence on the NFL as well.

His is a story of perseverance. The "American Dream" that became reality. Even if Mills never gets into Canton, he is probably the greatest inside linebacker the Saints franchise ever had wear their jersey.








Bill Bergey
6'4" 243
Philadelphia Eagles
1969-1980
12 Seasons
159 Games Played
27 Interceptions
21 Fumble Recoveries
5 Pro Bowls

William Earl Bergey was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 1969 AFL draft out of Arkansas State and was an AFL All-Star in his first year. Bergey started for the Bengals for five years.

He was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1974 for two first-round and one second-round draft picks because he had signed a "futures contract" with the World Football League.

The WFL folded, so he went to Philadelphia. With the Eagles, Bergey went to four straight Pro Bowls, and became the highest-paid defensive player in the league.

He earned Eagles MVP status three times. Bergey recorded 233 tackles in a single season with the Eagles. After Philadelphia lost to Oakland in Super Bowl XV, Bergey retired in 1980 with 48 turnovers, which means he got the ball back for his teams every 3.3 games.

Bergey is a member of the Bengals 40th Anniversary Roster, the Eagles Honor Roll, and the city of Buffalo's Hall of Fame. Though he was excellent in Cincinnati, it was with Philadelphia he enjoyed his best years in the NFL.

In his five years with the Bengals, Bergey had 9 interceptions and 6 fumble recoveries.

He accumulated 18 interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries in seven seasons as an Eagle.

He was a tackling machine that allowed fellow Eagle linebackers John Bunting, Frank LeMaster and Jerry Robinson to excel.

When you talk of the rich history of the Eagles, names like Van Buren, Bednarik, McDonald, White, Montgomery, Carmichael, and Bill Bergey roll off the tongues of most die hard Philly fans.

He may not get into Canton, but he is a Hall of Fame player in my book.








Hardy Nickerson
6'2" 230
Linebacker
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1987-2002
16 Seasons
225 Games Played
1990s All-Decade Team
5 Pro Bowls

Hardy Otto Nickerson was drafted in the fifth round of the 1987 draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. After spending his rookie year as a reserve, he soon moved into the starting lineup and became a solid member of the team.

He signed with the Buccaneers as a free agent in 1993, and blossomed in the 4-3 base defense that head coach Tony Dungy ran. He was named First Team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl in his first season after setting a team record with a whopping 214 tackles that still stands today.

Though he never exceeded 147 tackles in a season for the rest of his career, Nickerson was the fiery, intelligent leader of the defense and was called "The Dragon" by teammates and fans.

In 1996, he went to the Pro Bowl again, something he would continue to do until 1999. He also was named First Team All-Pro in 1997, and was honored with the Byron "Whizzer" White NFL Man of the Year Award for his work in the community and country.

He became a free agent after his last Pro Bowl season of 1999, so he signed a contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He got hurt after six games, missing the rest of the season.

The 2001 season saw him get a career high three interceptions and nine defended passes. He then signed with the Green Bay Packers in 2002, then retired at the end of the season.

Nickerson is a member of the NFL 1990's All-Decade Second Team. No other Buccaneers middle linebacker has more tackles than him and he has the third most in team history.

His getting inducted into Canton may seem a long shot to some, but Nickerson's career stacks up next to some of the greatest middle linebackers in NFL history. His longevity also shows how tough he was and how much he had.








Karl Mecklenburg
6'3" 240
Linebacker
Denver Broncos
1983-1994
12 Seasons
180 Games Played
79 Sacks
6 Pro Bowls

Karl Bernard Mecklenburg was drafted in the 12th round of the 1983 draft by the Denver Broncos, the 310th player chosen overall. He made the team as a rookie, but started out playing defensive end.

He was able to work his way on the field by impressing the coaches with his determination. After getting a pair of sacks as a rookie, he was used as a pass rush specialist the next year and got seven more. He also picked off two passes and returned them for 105 yards.

Denver knew they had to find a way to get Mecklenburg on the field, and they also wanted to upgrade their linebacking unit. Joe Collier, the Broncos legendary defensive coordinator, decided to try him at inside linebacker.

Though he split time with incumbent starter Rick Dennison, Mecklenburg was still able to rack up a career high 13 sacks. He was named First Team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl despite starting just nine games.

He took over as a full-time starter in 1986 and was named First Team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl again after getting 9.5 sacks. Denver would reach the Super Bowl, but lost.

The Broncos would go back to the Super Bowl in 1987 and 1989, but lost each time. Mecklenburg was a big reason for their success. In 1987, he went to the Pro Bowl after getting the last three interceptions of his career.

He was named First Team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl in 1989 after scoring the first touchdown of his career, which came off of a fumble recovery. He scored off another fumble the next year, as well as recording a safety.

From 1986 to 1997, Mecklenburg was one of the best linebackers in all of football. He wasn't just a pass rusher, though he did pile up 55.5 sacks over that time, but he was also a tackling machine.

Starting in 1986, Mecklenburg had at least 100 tackles every year until 1986 except for the 97 he had in the strike shortened 1987 season. He had 99 tackles in 1997. After getting 68 in 1998, his lowest total as a full-time starter, he retired.

Nicknamed the "Albino Rhino" by teammates, he has the second most tackles and sacks in Broncos history. His 180 games played are the third most ever as well.

No other Broncos linebacker has been to the Pro Bowl six times, and his three First Team All-Pro nods are tied as the second most in franchise history. He is a member of the Broncos Ring of Honor.

Mecklenburg was a winner, as shown by his helping Denver reach the Super Bowl three times. His was career not expected, so the term "self-made man" certainly applies in his care.

Through determination, he ended his career on the same level as Randy Gradishar. Many consider Gradishar the greatest Broncos linebacker ever, but Mecklenburg is not far behind.

Besides missing seven games in 1988, and one the next year, he took the field every time his team did. Consistent, tough, and fiery, Karl Mecklenburg had a career certainly worthy of induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.








Jessie Tuggle
5'11" 230
Linebacker
Atlanta Falcons
1987-2000
14 Seasons
209 Games Played
6 Touchdowns
5 Pro Bowls

Jessie Lloyd Tuggle Jr went undrafted in 1987 despite having a career at Valdosta State University that had him inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He signed with Atlanta and soon found himself starting at left inside linebacker after 1980 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Buddy Curry went down with a career-ending injury.

He split time with Joel Williams the next year, starting in eight games. He was still able to rack up 103 tackles and score a touchdown off of a fumble recovery. Atlanta then handed him the job full-time the rest of his career, and he missed just three starts over that time.

After getting 183 tackles in 1989, he had 201 tackles and a career high five quarterback sacks the next year. He also took a fumble 65 yards for a touchdown.

He followed that up in 1991 with a career-best 207 tackles, and scored again off of a fumble recovery. He also had his first career interception.

The 1992 season saw him finally get recognized as a Pro Bowler after somehow not being named in either of his two previous stellar seasons. He had 193 tackles, and interception, and he scored off a career-long 69 yard fumble recovery.

After getting 185 tackles the next year, he returned to the Pro Bowl in 1994 after getting 93 tackles. The 1994 season was the last time he exceeded 100 tackles, when he had 111.

He also had a career high three interceptions, the last of his career. One was returned for a touchdown, and he made the Pro Bowl again.

After making the Pro Bowl in 1997, he made his last Pro Bowl the next year. He also scored his last touchdown, which happened off of a fumble recovery.

The Falcons would reach Super Bowl XXXIII, their only championship appearance in franchise history, but lost.

He had 3.5 sacks in 1999, but missed two games. After missing half of the 2000 season, he retired with a Falcons record of 1,640 tackles.

His five fumble recoveries for touchdowns was an NFL record until Jason Taylor of the Miami Dolphins surpassed it by one in 2009.

"The Hammer" has his jersey retired by the Falcons, and he is a member of the team's Ring of Honor.

Tommy Nobis may be the best Falcon middle linebacker ever, but Tuggle is right up there with him. Being the ultimate team player that he was, Tuggle still has a shot at induction into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.






Mike Curtis
6'3" 232
Linebacker
Baltimore Colts
1965-1978
14 Seasons
166 Games Played
25 Interceptions
3 Touchdowns
4 Pro Bowls
1970 AFC Defensive Player of the Year

James Michael Curtis was drafted in the first round of the 1965 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts. He initially played fullback and even ran the ball six times as a rookie, as well a catching a pass.

The Colts switched him to linebacker the next year, where he played on the weak side. Though he started seven games in 1966, he did score off a fumble recovery. He got hurt in the third game of 1967, missing the rest of the year.

Curtis rebounded strong in 1968, helping lead the Colts to Super Bowl III after being named First Team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl. In Baltimore's first playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings, Curtis took a fumble 60 yards for a touchdown.

He had an interception in the Colts 34-0 win over the Cleveland Browns in the NFL Championship and helped hold Cleveland's powerful running game to 58 yards.

Baltimore switched him to middle linebacker in 1969. Curtis responded by being named First Team All-Pro. He got a career best five interceptions in 1970, helping the Colts win their division.

After getting an interception in a first round win over the Cincinnati Bengals, he picked off another pass in Super Bowl V as the Colts defeated the Dallas Cowboys 16-13.

He was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Year by the NFL 101 Club for all of his accomplishments that year.

He was a captain on the Colts most of his time with them, known for his intensity and mean streak. Many called him the meanest player of his era.

He made the Pro Bowl in 1971 and 1974 again for Baltimore, and was named the team MVP in that 1974 season. He got hurt in 1975 and was able to play just six games.

The Colts left him exposed to the expansion draft, so the Seattle Seahawks grabbed him. He was moved to outside linebacker again, where he started every game.

Curtis, who grew up in suburban Maryland, asked to be traded closer to home. Seattle acquiesced by dealing him to the Washington Redskins before the 1977 season. Curtis retired after 1978.

Many fans who saw him play think Curtis is one of the most underrated middle linebackers of his era, in spite of the many accolades he attained. They point to Hall of Famers like Willie Lanier and Nick Buoniconti being in his way of more Pro Bowl accolades.

The fact is that Curtis was more than a vicious hitter who brought violent collisions. He was very athletic, being one of the very first players to ever retire with at least 20 interceptions and sacks in a career.

His 21 interceptions with Baltimore is still the third most ever by a Colts linebacker. His presence also helped fellow linebackers, and Colts legends, like Stan White and Hall of Famer Ted Hendricks be even more effective.

As the years pass, his chances for going into Canton dwindle. Yet Mike Curtis certainly did have a career worthy of induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Chris Hanburger Of The Washington Redskins Is On The Cusp Of Immortality

The Pro Football Hall of Fame voters meet on February 7, 2011. In the group of players that they will decide from, Washington Redskins legend Chris Hanburger, a Seniors nominee, could very well find himself being inducted into the heralded walls of Canton.

Some of you may recall my quest to get Chris his long overdue respect. His nine Pro Bowls are the most in Redskins history, and his four First Team All-Pro honors is tied with the legendendaty "Slingin" Sammy Baugh as the most in franchise history. He was also named 1972 Defensive Player of the Year by the NFL 101 Committee.

I wanted to give you real Redskins and NFL fans a gift. I spent months talking to players and coaches Chris played against or with. They graciously gave me quotes and letters, which I compiled into a package and submitted to the Seniors Committee of the Hall of Fame a few months ago.

For those who saw Hanburger play, none of these quotes will surprise you. For those younger fans oblivious to his greatness, this may help educate you on the impact Chris Hanburger had on the game of football while wearing a Redskins jersey.

Please enjoy :



JACKIE SMITH
Tight End
1963 - 1978
Hall Of Fame Inductee 1994

As tight end playing for St. Louis and in the same division as the Redskins,
I played against Chris twice a season for quite a few years. When I first
started playing, linebackers were big strong guys, not very mobile and
geared more to stopping the running game.

Chris should be the "poster boy" for the new era of linebackers that could
not only be effective against the run, but equally effective against the
pass. His combination of strength and speed made it very difficult to block
him or even get position on him. His ability to anticipate and then react
allowed him to knock down passes in the intermediate distances and make
tackles on the opposite side of the field.

He had to be the first linebacker to broaden the scope of the linebacker and
increase the expectations of other teams of their linebackers.

I seriously doubt if I ever effectively blocked Chris. My guess is I only
got in his way for a split second, because he was intent on being where the
ball was on every play.

He was a player all teams had to prepare for...or at least try to.

Added to his great skill is another important aspect of Chris Hanburger. We
need to remember the gentlemen that played this game. These are players that
played the game with their heart because they appreciated the opportunity
and wanted to do their best. They modestly reflect on their accomplishments
simply because they would not have been satisfied with less.

Chris Hanburger belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.








Joe Gibbs
Former Head Coach, The Washington Redskins
1981 - 1992, 2004 - 2007
Hall Of Fame Inductee 1996

When Chris was an active player, I coached against him when I was an
assistant coach of the St. Louis Cardinals. When we prepared our game plans,
we always considered how Chris might react against our plays. We considered
him to be an exceptional player and we always took that into consideration
during our game planning. He was an all around player who made the most of
his abilities. He was tough and smart – two player qualities that I always
wanted in my players.

Even though I never coached Chris, I have respect for him as a person and a
football player. He is a big part of the Washington Redskins history.






Tony Liscio
Offensive Tackle
Dallas Cowboys
1963-71

With great pleasure I would like to tell what a great football player Chris
Hanburger

was for the Washington Redskins Football Team during his professional
career.

During my 9 years as an offensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys I had many

opportunities to block Chris, which was a very hard task for anyone.


His knowledge of the game and exceptional speed made him a difficult target
to block.

Coach Tom Landry would always point out the ability that Chris had and would

emphasize the need to block him on every play. There was only a few players

that we would call out for special attention and Chris Hanburger was one of
them.


We played back in the days when we played with pride and dignity and no one

displayed this better than Chris Hanburger. He is a credit to the NFL and a
honored

member of the retired players who played with and against him.


Chris Hanburger is genuinely worthy of induction into the NFL Hall Of Fame.

His long Pro Bowl career where he was chosen by his peers speaks for itself.

This shows what his opponents thought of him.

This is the kind of player we need in Canton, OH.







TED MARCHIBRODA
Quarterback/ Coach
1953 - 1998

Chris is the type of individual that belongs in the Hall of Fame. He would
be a good fit, he really, really would.

He was spectacular, but you would never know by his personality. He did his
job and went about his work, every week, every day. Chris was a team player
all the way.

He was just a great person, a tremendous athlete and of great, great
character. He was a very intelligent linebacker and moved very well. At
that time, he was probably faster than most linebackers. He was very
serious, serious in life and serious in football.







RUSTY TILLMAN
Linebacker
1970-1978

To who it may concern,

This letter is a vote for Chris Hanburger to be inducted into the Pro
Football Hall of Fame.

While other Redskins have been inducted, Chris went to the pro-bowl 9 times;
more than any other Redskin. Light for a linebacker (220), his play was year
in and year out at the top of the NFL.

Chris made up for his lack of size with extreme quickness and textbook
tackling. He was undoubtedly the quickest linebacker off the ball that I
have ever seen.

He also did a fantastic job in pass coverage being able to cover excellent
backs one on one.

And something that is frequently overlooked was his ability to call defenses
on the field. I doubt seriously that any defensive player nowadays had the
ability to look at a formation and to get the defense into the right call
99% of the time.

Chris was a leader by example and shunned the limelight. He was strictly a
team guy.

If the committee to elect will look into his playing career, they will see
exactly what I am talking about.









GEORGE ALLEN
Governor, Commonwealth of Virginia 1994-1998
U.S. Senator, 2001-2007

“Chris Hanburger was a perfectionist and an always prepared leader and
captain of my father’s Redskins Defense. Chris Hanburger was consistently in
great physical shape, mentally tough and prepared, having meticulously
studied opposing offenses. He was always in position to make a play or break
a QB’s nose if he ventured into Chris’s territory.

“Because of his leadership and outstanding record of play, Chris Hanburger,
a quiet man, surely deserve strong consideration for the Pro Football Hall
of Fame. He was a premier LB during his playing days as his record shows,
including numerous Pro Bowl appearances.”






JOHN E. McVAY
Coach
1976 - 1978
1989 NFL Executive of the Year

Chris Hanburger played on those great Redskins teams, and for a super coach
in George Allen. The fact that Chris was a perennial Pro-bowler should help
his cause greatly. He was truly one of the best LBs in the league.

Chris was a little undersized but was very productive and could cover
receivers out of the backfield with ease. I remember him as being
outstanding, on a team loaded with great players.







MYRON POTTIOS
Linebacker
1961 - 1973

To :Senior Committee HOF

Gentlemen:

I am sending this letter to you to recognize and give Chris Hanburger his
place in the HOF

In my thirteen years playing in the NFL I had the honor to play with ten
teammates that are in the HOF. Chris has the qualities that all of these ten
Hall Of Famers possess.

1. Leadership on the field

2. 9 Pro Bowls

3. Longevity – 14 yrs







WILLIE J. YOUNG
Offensive Tackle
1966 - 1975

Dear Sirs:

As a former professional football player, I would like to recommend Chris
Hanburger, to the National Football Hall of Fame.

Chris possesses all of the qualities a talented athlete should have in order
to receive this prestigious recognition. Chris is a valuable asset to the
sport of football. He is a professional person on and off the playing field.
Teammates and friends compliment his character of not just a player but
also, as an outstanding man.

You'd be hard pressed to find a player who was more dedicated than Chris,
and I recommend him as a rock solid addition for this outstanding honor.






DIRON TALBERT
Defensive Tackle
1967 - 1980

I FIRST MET CHRIS AT A MINI CAMP IN WASHINGTON DC. I HAD JUST BEEN TRADED TO
THE SKINS FROM THE LA RAMS ALONG WITH JACK PARDEE, MAXIE BAUGHN AND OTHERS
INCLUDING RICHIE PETTIBONE.

I WAS DEFENSIVE RIGHT TACKLE AND I WAS HAPPY TO HAVE CHRIS ON THE RIGHT
LINEBACKER. I HAD WATCHED HIM PLAY FOR A FEW YEARS, AND I KNEW HE WAS THE
BEST IN THE LEAGUE.

ALWAYS A GOOD LEADER, OUR DEFENSIVE CAPTAIN AND DEFENSIVE GENERAL ( SIGNAL
CALLER ).

HE MADE BIG PLAYS, AND WAS THE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER ON OUR TEAM FOR ALL THE
YEARS I PLAYED THERE.

WITH 9 PRO BOWL APPEARANCES, AND ALL THE OTHER CREDENTIALS, THERE IS NO
DOUBT THAT CHRIS HANBURGER BELONGS IN THE NFL HALL OF FAME ALONG WITH MY
GOOD FRIEND KENNY HOUSTON.

I WILL BE HAPPY TO DISCUSS WITH THE SENIOR COMMITTEE IF NEEDED.











MIKE DITKA
Tight End
1961 – 1972
Hall Of Fame Inductee 1988

Chris was a hell of a player. He could beat you with finesse. He was always
in position, and was smart and quick. He also could use power.

He was quiet and did his job, having a great career without the attention he
deserved.

People get too caught up in statistics. He knocked me on my ass.

When I was in Dallas, Coach Landry would always tell us to watch him.

He belongs in the Hall Of Fame.





CHARLIE SANDERS
Tight End
1968 - 1977
Hall Of Fame Inductee 2007

Chris was smart. He was a real student of the game, and studied his opponents. He had a nose for the ball, and was very hard to block. He always gave me a headache.





RAYMOND BERRY
Wide Receiver/ Coach
1955 – 1967, 1968-1992
Hall Of Fame Inductee 1973

He should be in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. Nine Pro Bowls speaks for themselves.

I remember one play I caught a pass, and Hanburger absolutely blasted me. As he was laying on me, I fixed my helmet, looked at him and asked, “Are you OK?” Hanburger looked at me stunned by the question.





SONNY JURGENSEN
Quarterback
1957 – 1974
Hall Of Fame Inductee 1983

Chris Hanburger is the smartest linebacker to ever play in the NFL. He was a
coach on the field.

Chris belongs in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. His nine Pro Bowls is proof.




JOE DeLAMIELLUERE
Offensive Guard
1973 – 1985
Hall Of Fame Inductee 2003

You cannot talk about the NFL, in the 1960’s and 1970’s, without talking
about Chris Hanburger. He had more heart than anyone in the game.

Do not judge a book by its cover. He played like a giant.

I cannot believe he is not in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame!




Roger Staubach
Quarterback
1969 - 1979
Hall Of Fame Inductee 1985

Chris was an outstanding linebacker in the NFL. Even though we had our great rivalry and I didn't like the Redskins, I respected him.


John Hannah
Offensive Guard
1973 - 1985
Hall Of Fame Inductee 1991

He was, at that time, the smartest player in the league. We did everything we could to try to eliminate him from the play. We knew if we didn't neutralize him, then we had less of a chance of winning.



Larry Csonka
Fullback
1968 - 1979
Hall Of Fame Inductee 1987

Chris Hanburger was a fine and dedicated player who certainly has the qualifications to be seriously considered for induction in to the Pro Football of Fame.


Dave Wilcox
Linebacker
1964 - 1974
Hall Of Fame Inductee 2000

Chris belongs in Canton. His nine Pro Bowls is proof.




MAXIE BAUGHAN
Linebacker
1960 – 1970, 1974

Hanburger very much should be in Canton. There are less qualified player
than him already in.

He played to win, and was smart. He was seldom fooled, and he played even
when he was injured.






CHARLE YOUNG
Tight End
1973 – 1986

Chris Hanburger was one of the best. It takes an All-Pro, such as myself, to
know another All-Pro.

He was the toughest linebacker I ever went against in my career.

He was extremely difficult to block, and he was never out of position. He
was a smart, hard working player who got the job done.

He could read you. He knew what you were going to do before you did.





HOMER JONES
Wide Receiver
1964 – 1970

I feared Chris Hanburger much more than Dick Butkus, or any other linebacker
in the NFL. He could run with me, and he could hit very hard. He was also
very smart.

Chris Hanburger deserves entry into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.








NORM BULAICH
Fullback
1970 – 1979

Chris Hanburger should be in Canton. The voters must wake up. He went to
nine Pro Bowls!

Voters do not realize how hard it is to just make an NFL team, let alone be
voted to the Pro Bowl by your peers.

He is at the top of my list of linebackers I played against in my career.

I respected him. He had great football sense. He was very fast, and hard to
block. His knowledge of defense was excellent, and he always got to the
ball.






PAT RICHTER
Tight End/ Punter
1963 – 1970

Chris is the most intelligent, intense, and disciplined player I have ever
been around. He had his game face on 24/7. He was a great leader, and I
liked having him lead our team.

He was active, tough, quick, and very hard to fool.








KEN GRAY
Offensive Guard
1958 – 1970

Chris Hanburger deserves to be in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. He was a
great player. It is sad he has been overlooked all of these years.






JERRY SISEMORE
Offensive Tackle
1973 – 1984

He was one of the best, and never got the credit he deserved. He ran the
defense for the Redskins, and changed the way defenses were operated.

He had the respect of every member of the Philadelphia Eagles. He was smart,
and he would wear us out. I was always chasing him, but never caught him. I
used to watch him in amazement.






HERB MUL-KEY
Running Back
1972 – 1974

Chris Hanburger was the first defensive quarterback ever in NFL history.
Coach George Allen put him in charge of the defense, and he was never out of
position.

He was an invincible warrior, and his nine Pro Bowls were voted by his
peers. There is no way that Chris Hanburger should not be in Canton.





JIM OTIS
Fullback
1970 – 1978

I cannot believe Chris Hanburger is not in Canton already!

He was outstanding. Intelligent, sneaky, and unblockable. He always was
ready to play, and did everything a great linebacker is supposed to do.









JIM HANIFAN
Coach
1973 – 2003

Chris Hanburger played a mistake free game. He just never made mistakes. Don
Coryell, Joe Gibbs, and I would game plan on him, but it did not work.

He was intelligent and excellent. He deserves induction into Canton. .

I will always remember one particular game. George Allen had Hanburger
reading the hand signs Gibbs and I was flashing to Jim Hart, our
quarterback. Hanburger kept making play after play, destroying our game
plan. I got so mad. On the next play, I saw Hanburger looking over at our
sideline. I flashed him the middle finger, which caused Hanburger’s jaw to
drop as he looked at me in disbelief. I still laugh today at this memory.






SONNY RANDLE
Wide Receiver
1959 – 1968

Chris Hanburger is as fine a linebacker who has ever played. It is a mystery
as to why he has not been inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame yet.





CALVIN HILL
Running Back
1969 – 1981

The best outside linebackers I ever faced were Chris Hanburger, Jack Ham, and Chuck Howley. It was Hanburger, however, who gave me the most trouble and taught me the most. Hanburger made me a better player.

He was scary.

He was the guy who captained the Redskins defense, and called their signals. I hardly ever beat him, and it usually took me all game just to beat him on a play.

You never knew when he was going to blitz, and he often jumped over me on a blitz. He was smart, and gave you different looks. He was a nightmare to oppose.

You would just hope to try to beat him some of the time. He was slippery, and was resourceful. He was difficult to beat athletically, because he was such a great athlete. He was great at the point of attack.

He could really run, and was fluid in his flow. You had to game plan specifically against him, because you knew he was a top opponent.

When I was with the Redskins, he was a great teammate. He was really great in practice also.

He was a big play guy who defined the WLB position. There is a reason he was a Pro Bowl player nine times.

The fact he is not in Canton shows the voters do not understand how good he was.





BRIG OWENS
Safety
1966 – 1977

Chris Hanburger is one of the all-time greats. He was a strong leader both on and off the field.

It is inexcusable that he has yet to be mentioned for induction. He went to nine Pro Bowls, the most in franchise history.

He knew how to read plays. He would argue with Sam Huff in the huddle over what play to call, which kept the team loose.

He was a great friend and teammate.








PRESTON PEARSON
Running Back
1967 – 1980

I had lots of clashes on the gridiron with him, and I never looked forward to opposing Chris Hanburger. He was an all around linebacker.

He was studied, and he knew his opponents. He was always well prepared.

Not only was he very smart, but he was a hard-hitting linebacker. He was really, really tough. He deserves induction.









ERNIE McMILLAN
Offensive Tackle
1961 – 1975

Chris Hanburger was a force that was a factor on every play. He deserves entry into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.

You had to watch him play in order to consider him. He was smart and reliable.








BRAD DUSEK
Linebacker
1974 – 1981

Chris taught me everything I know how to play linebacker.

He was our “one” general on the team. He knew over 300 audibles for our defense.

He was modest, smart, quick, and fast. He was always one step ahead of the opponents. He had this amazing ability to read the eyes of running backs. He had a sixth sense.

Chris Hanburger should be inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.








AUTREY HOWELL
Offensive Tackle
1963 – 1969

Chris Hanburger belongs in Canton.

He was very smart and had great speed. His strength was his ability to diagnose a play.






LEN HAUSS
Center
1964 – 1977

I was Chris Hanburger’s roommate for eight seasons on road games. He was always a smart player, and one of the hardest hitting players in the league.

He had a quiet, business like approach. He was not a “look at me” type of player, meaning he would never blow his own horn. He put the team first.

He would study the opponent’s non-stop. He knew the opposition, and was excellent at studying their tendencies.

He was a great player, and a team player. He deserves to be in Canton.




BILL ARNSPARGER
Coach
1964 – 1994

Chris Hanburger deserves induction into Canton.

He was a complete linebacker who I respected. He was a winner who could beat you in several ways.








RICKIE HARRIS
Defensive Back
1965 – 1972

Chris Hanburger was the smartest player I ever played with. I really respected him.

He taught me how to read a defense, and he often covered me on the field. He was so smart; you knew you could depend on him to play a defender. It made my job easier.

Our defense was dependent on him to get us in the right position. He was regimented on defensive duty, and knew all of our assignments.

He could run with everyone in the NFL, and he often covered wide receivers on pass plays. He is also one of the best blitzers I ever saw play.

Chris Hanburger was a great player, and he deserves induction into Canton.









ARCHIE MANNING
Quarterback
1971 - 1984

I had the opportunity to play against Chris Hanburger several times.

Although small, he was an outstanding NFL linebacker.

He was equally good versus the run and pass and was one of the chief reasons the Redskins were so good during that era.





CHARLIE HARRAWAY
Fullback
1966 – 1973

Chris was very smart. He knew the game, and the game plan. He was always in position, and knew his assignments. He was prepared.

Hanburger was quick and elusive, and made blockers miss. He had good finesse. He was a great teammate, level headed, and was never in a fracas.





WADE KEY
Offensive Guard/ Tackle
1970 – 1979

Chris Hanburger deserves induction.

Look at his nine Pro Bowls. He is a more complete linebacker than guys who are already in Canton.

He was a fantastic linebacker. He supported the run and pass with excellence.







VINCE PROMUTO
Guard
1960 – 1970

Chris was a team player, and not arrogant. He was really bright, fast, and tough. He came to play every day, was durable, and highly respected in the locker room.

He was a student of the game, and would learn from Sam Huff often.

Chris was a great linebacker, and he should be inducted into Canton.






RAY SCHOENKE
Offensive Guard
1963 – 1975

Chris Hanburger is one of the best linebackers I ever saw play the game.

He was tremendously quick. No one could block him.

He was great defending the run and the pass, and was also excellent at rushing the passer.






RON SNIDOW
Defensive End
1963 – 1972

I highly recommend Chris Hanburger being inducted into Canton.

He deserves it. He was dynamic and enthusiastic.






CARL KAMMERER
Defensive End/ Linebacker
1961 - 1969

Chris was a sure tackler, and a devastating blindside hitter on the blitz.

On certain plays, we would switch responsibilities. He would blitz, and I would watch for the pass.

He loved to hit right-handed quarterbacks.

He was also a great human being.






MACK ALSTON
Tight End
1970 – 1980

Chris was a great leader. He was the captain of the defense.

He was smart, and could diagnose a play in a hurry. He studied film non-stop.

Chris was tough, strong, quiet, and he was also a heck of a guy.

If he said something, while watching film with the team, you knew something was very, very wrong in the way we executed a play.






RON McDOLE
Defensive End
1961 – 1978

Chris Hanburger was the best player we had on the Redskins.

He was the captain of the defense, and ran the show.

He deserves induction into Canton.






GEORGE STARKE
Offensive Tackle
1973 – 1984

There has never been a finer linebacker in the history of the NFL than Chris Hanburger.

There was also none neither smarter nor tougher than him either.

I cannot see why he is not in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.






JOE RUTGENS
Defensive Tackle
1961 – 1969

Chris was smart, fast, and hit hard.

He deserves consideration for the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.








Facts :



Chris Hanburger
Washington Redskins
Linebacker
6'2" 220
1965 - 1978
14 Seasons
187 Games Played
19 Interceptions
17 Fumble Recoveries
5 Touchdowns
9 Pro Bowls
4 First Team All-Pro Teams
1972 NFL 101 NFC Defensive Player of the Year

Christian G. Hanburger was an 18th round draft choice of the Redskins in 1965. He was the 245TH player chosen that year. He was a 25 year old rookie, due to his service in the Army before going to the University of North Carolina.

At UNC, he was a 2 way player who was named All ACC at Center his junior and senior years. In 1963, his team won the ACC Championship.

Hanburger played right away and was in the Pro Bowl by his second year in the league. He would then begin a string of Pro Bowl appearances until 1969.

He then resumed that string in 1972 until 1976.

Sacks and tackles were not recorded in those days, but Hanburger was a playmaker.

He is considered one of the best of his era. He was known for his blitzing ability and pass coverage.

Ever the complete player, he returned three fumbles for touchdowns, the third most in NFL history, in his career to go with two more on interceptions.

In 1972, Hanburger captained the Over The Hill gangs defense to a Super Bowl appearance and was named NFC Defensive Player of the Year by the NFL 101 Club.

Hanburger was known not only for good speed, but his exceptional intelligence and quickness.

He had the innate ability to diagnose a play before the ball was hiked. He often would cover the other teams tight end and peel off to knock passes down meant for wide receivers.

Hall Of Fame coach George Allen liked to leave Hanburger in charge of the play calling on defense, and named his team captain for many seasons.

Chris Hanburger's nine Pro Bowl appearances are still the most by any player in the entire history of the Washington Redskins.

His four First Team All-Pro honors are tied with Hall Of Famer Sammy Baugh as the most in team history.



Please compare Chris Hanburger's achievements and all around game to some other linebackers already inducted into Canton.

Of the 18 linebackers that are inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame, only seven are outside linebackers like Hanburger.

As you will be able to see, Hanburger exceeds or equals all of these football legends in several categories.


ANDRE TIPPETT
11 Seasons
1 Interception
19 Fumble Recoveries
2 Touchdowns
5 Pro Bowls
2 First Team All-Pro



DERRICK THOMAS
11 Seasons
1 Interception
19 Fumble Recoveries
4 Touchdowns
9 Pro Bowls
2 First Team All-Pro


LAWRENCE TAYLOR
13 Seasons
9 Interceptions
11 Fumble Recoveries
2 Touchdowns
10 Pro Bowls
8 First Team All-Pro



BOBBY BELL
12 Seasons
26 Interceptions
9 Fumble Recoveries
8 Touchdowns
9 Pro Bowls
6 First Team All-Pro



TED HENDRICKS
15 Seasons
26 Interceptions
16 Fumble Recoveries
2 Touchdowns
8 Pro Bowls
4 First Team All-Pro



DAVE WILCOX
11 Seasons
14 Interceptions
12 Fumble Recoveries
2 Touchdowns
7 Pro Bowls
2 First Team All-Pro


JACK HAM
12 Seasons
32 Interceptions
21 Fumble Recoveries
1 Touchdown
8 Pro Bowls
6 First Team All-Pro

LEE ROY JORDAN

Lee Roy Jordan
6'1" 215
Linebacker
Dallas Cowboys
1963 - 1976
14 Seasons
186 Games Played
32 Interceptions
18 Fumble Recoveries
3 Touchdowns
1 Safety
5 Pro Bowls


Lee Roy Jordan was the Dallas Cowboys first draft pick of the 1963 draft. He was the sixth player chosen overall. Jordan was already a gridiron legend in college, after a spectacular career at Alabama University. He started as soon as he was eligible as a sophomore (freshmen were not allowed to play varsity sports during that time), and was the MVP of the 1960 Bluebonnet Bowl. The Crimson Tide won the national championship behind Jordan's leadership, then went 10 - 1 in his senior year. In his last game with Alabama in the Orange Bowl against Oklahoma University, Lee Roy piled up a whopping 30 tackles and was named the games MVP. Lee Roy Jordan is a member of the Alabama Hall Of Fame and the College Football Hall Of Fame.


Lee Roy only suited up for seven games in his rookie year, but started each game at Outside Linebacker on the left side. He ended up swiping three interceptions and recovering a fumble. Jordan would pick off one pass the next year, then none the following season. He was moved to Middle Linebacker in 1966 and would stay there the rest of his career. This was the time the famous "Doomsday Defense" was at its beginnings, and Lee Roy was the leader. He picked off one pass that year and returned it 49 yards for a score. Lee Roy had 3 interceptions the next year for a career best 85 yards, while scoring another touchdown and recording a safety. The Cowboys would end up making it to the 1967 NFL Championship Game before losing to the Green Bay Packers in the famous "Ice Bowl". Lee Roy was named to the first of three consecutive Pro Bowls that season. Jordan had 3 picks in 1968, then 2 the following year. After getting an interception in 1970, Jordan ended up playing in Super Bowl V, the first Super Bowl after the NFL/ AFL merger. The Cowboys ended up losing in the waning seconds to the Baltimore Colts in a game dubbed "The Blunder Bowl" because it was a game that featured 11 turnovers by both teams and 10 penalties against Dallas. Lee Roy had 2 interceptions in 1971, and a career best 3 fumble recoveries. The Cowboys would go on to beat the Miami Dolphins 24 - 3 in Super Bowl VI. It is the only Super Bowl where a team was prevented from scoring a touchdown. Jordan had 2 more swipes in 1972, then had a career high 6 interceptions in 1973. In one game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Texas Stadium, Jordan picked off 3 passes in a five minute span. He took one ball for a 31 yard touchdown, and was named to the Pro Bowl after the season. Lee Roy made his final All Pro Team in 1974, after having 2 interceptions. 1975 saw Jordan tie his career high of 6 interceptions, while leading the Cowboys to Super Bowl X. The Cowboys ended up losing a close game to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jordan again started every game in 1976, but did not record any turnovers for only the second time of his career. He then retired after that season as the franchises all time leader in tackles, and his 32 interceptions are still tied for the third most ever by a linebacker in NFL history. Lee Roy Jordan is a member of the Cowboys Ring Of Fame.


There are a few theories as to why Jordan still awaits his call to Canton. One is that he was a member of a fantastic defense that featured Hall Of Fame Defensive Tackle Bob Lilly, along with such greats as George Andrie, Chuck Howrey, Jethro Pugh, Charlie Waters, Cornell Green, and Cliff Harris. Then there is some that say is was because of the genius diagramming of Hall Of Fame Coach Tom Landry that the "Doomsday Defense" was so effective. Others believe that the voters have some anti-Cowboys bias from that era as well. Maybe all those points have some validity, but you cannot ignore the facts that Jordan has placed in front of all to see through his play on the field. He was a true leader who always gave it everything he had on every play without fail. Not only was he a tackling machine, but the man helped get the ball back for his teams offense over 50 times in his career. Jordan gathered a turnover in every 3.72 games he played in his career, an outstanding percentage. His three interception game was named one of the ten most memorable moments in the history of in Texas Stadium in 2008. Not a big man in size or stature, Jordan's heart was immeasurable, and he was one of the top linebackers in the NFL almost every year that he played. When you see the late Derrick Thomas of the Kansas City Chiefs inducted, though deservedly so, it can make one wonder. Thomas was known for just rushing the passer, and was not the complete player that Jordan was. Lee Roy Jordan certainly is deserving of being inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.



Notable Players Drafted In 1963 ( * Denotes Hall Of Famer )

2. Jerry Stovall, DB, St. Louis Cardinals
5. Bob Vogel, OT, Baltimore Colts
7. Pat Richter, WR/ P, Washington
13. Don Brumm, DE, St. Louis
14. Dave Robinson, LB, Green Bay
16. Bobby Bell, T, Minnesota *
17. Bob Reynolds, OT, St. Louis
18. Ray Mansfeild, OT, Philadelphia
19. John Mackey, TE, Baltimore *
21. Walter Rock, OT, San Francisco
23. Jim Kanicki, DT, Cleveland
28. Tom Brown, DB, Green Bay
35. Ron Snidow, DE, Washington
44. Paul Flatley, WR, Minnesota
47. Jerry Logan, DB, Baltimore
55. Chuck Walton, G, Detroit
88. Lee Roy Caffey, LB, Philadelphia
89. Willie Richardson, WR, Baltimore
102. Tom Woodeshick, RB, Philadelphia
114. Willis Crenshaw, RB, St. Louis
129. Jackie Smith, TE, St. Louis *
136. Bill Nelsen, QB, Pittsburgh
144. Ralph Heck, LB, Philadelphia
145. Winston Hill, OT, Baltimore
146. Ray Schoenke, G, Dallas
152. Karl Kassulke, DB, Detroit
154. Marv Fleming, TE, Green Bay
157. Chuck Walker, G, Saint Louis
186. Nate Ramsey, DB, Philadelphia
220. Andy Russell, LB, Pittsburgh
241. Larry Stallings, LB, Saint Louis
259. Jim Turner, K, Washington
265. Buck Buchanan, DT, NY Giants *
278. Homer Jones, WR, NY Giants