Information

GEORGE HALASCharter Enshrinee, 1963(Illinois)FOUNDER, OWNER, COACH1920-1983 Decatur/Chicago Staleys, Chicago BearsGeorge Stanley Halas. . .Truly “Mr. Everything” of pro football. . .Founded Decatur Staleys, attended league organizationalmeeting in 1920. . .Only person associated with NFL throughoutfirst 50 years. . . Coached Bears for 40 seasons and six NFLtitles. . . Record mark of 324 coaching wins stood for nearlythree decades. . .Recorded many “firsts” in pro coaching,administration. . .Also played end for nine seasons. . . BornFebruary 2, 1895, in Chicago. . .Died October 31, 1983, at ageof 88.JACK HAMEnshrined in 1988(Penn State)LINEBACKER 6-1, 2251971-1982 Pittsburgh SteelersJack Raphael Ham, Jr. . .Consensus All-America, 1970. . .No. 2draft pick, 1971. . .Won starting left linebacker job as rookie. . . Had speed, intelligence, exceptional ability to diagnoseplays. . . Gained reputation as big-play defender. . . Careerrecord: 25 1/2 sacks, 21 opponents’ fumbles recovered, 32interceptions. . .All-AFC or All-Pro seven years, 1973-1979. . .Named to eight straight Pro Bowls. . .Born December 23, 1948,in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.DAN HAMPTONEnshrined in 2002(Arkansas)DEFENSIVE TACKLE-DEFENSIVE END 6-5, 2641979-1990 Chicago BearsDaniel Oliver Hampton. . .Bears’ No. 1 pick, fourth player overall,1979 NFL Draft. . . Nicknamed “Danimal” for ferocious styleof play. . .Immediate impact player as a rookie. . .A versatileplayer, played both DT and DE positions. . .Named first- or second-teamAll-Pro choice six times as either DE or DT. . . Electedto four Pro Bowls. . . Born September 19, 1957, in OklahomaCity, Oklahoma.JOHN HANNAHEnshrined in 1991(Alabama)GUARD 6-2, 2651973-1985 New England PatriotsJohn Allen Hannah. . .Two-time All-America. . .First-round draftpick, 1973. . .Possessed size, speed, competitiveness. . .Hardworker who played in spite of injuries. . .Excelled as pass protector,run blocker, pulling guard on sweeps. . . Renowned aspremier guard of era. . .All-Pro 10 years, 1976-1985. . .Electedto nine Pro Bowls. . .Four-time NFLPA Offensive Lineman ofYear. . .Born April 4, 1951, in Canton, Georgia.FRANCO HARRISEnshrined in 1990(Penn State)RUNNING BACK 6-2, 2301972-1983 Pittsburgh Steelers1984 Seattle SeahawksFranco Harris. . .No. 1 draft pick, 1972. . .Provided big-backpower to Steelers offense. . .All-Pro, 1977, All-AFC three times. . .In eight Pro Bowls. . .158 yards rushing, MVP in Super BowlIX . . .Rushed 1,000 yards eight seasons, 100 yards, 47 games. . .Career record: 12,120 yards, 91 TDs rushing; 2,287 yards,9 TDs receiving; 14,622 combined net yards. . .1,556 yardsrushing in 19 post-season games. . . Born March 7, 1950, inFort Dix, New Jersey.MIKE HAYNESEnshrined in 1997(Arizona State)CORNERBACK 6-2, 1921976-1982 New England Patriots1983-1989 Los Angeles RaidersMichael James Haynes. . .Patriots’ No. 1 draft pick, first defensiveback selected overall, 1976. . .Sensational rookie seasonwith eight interceptions, AFC-high 608 punt return yards. . .Career stats: 46 interceptions for 688 yards, two TDs; 112 puntreturns for 1,168 yards, two TDs. . .Started, intercepted pass,Super Bowl XVIII. . .Selected to nine Pro Bowls. . .All-Pro fourtimes. . . All-AFC eight times. . .Born July 1, 1953, in Denison,Texas.ED HEALEYEnshrined in 1964(Dartmouth)TACKLE 6-0, 2071920-1922 Rock Island Independents1922-1927 Chicago BearsEdward Francis Healey, Jr. . .Three-year end at Dartmouth. . .Left coaching job to seek tryout with Rock Island in newleague, 1920. . . Converted to tackle as pro. . .Sold to Bears for$100, 1922 - first player sale in NFL. . .Became perennial All-Pro with Bears. . . Rugged, two-way star. . .Called “most versatiletackle ever” by Halas. . .Starred in Bears’ long barnstormingtour after 1925 season. . . Born December 28, 1894, in IndianOrchard, Massachusetts. . .Died December 9, 1978, at age of83.MEL HEINCharter Enshrinee, 1963(Washington State)CENTER 6-2, 2251931-1945 New York GiantsMelvin Jack Hein . . .Played 25 years in school, college, pro. . .1930 All-America. . .Wrote to three NFL clubs offering hisservices. . . Giants bid high at $150 per game. . .60-minute regularfor 15 years. . .Injured only once, never missed a game. . .All-NFL eight straight years, 1933-1940. . .NFL’s Most ValuablePlayer, 1938. . .Flawless ball-snapper, powerful blocker, superiorpass defender. . .Born August 22, 1909, in Redding,California. . .Died January 31, 1992, at age of 82.2006 Pro Football Hall of Fame Information GuideProfootballhof.com- 71 -