John Elway, Barry Sanders, Bob Brown and Carl Eller to be enshrined in Canton, Ohio.
By RICK STROUD
Published February 1, 2004
HOUSTON - John Elway and Barry Sanders ended their careers on top and under their own terms.
So that's the way they were remembered Saturday when they were named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on their first attempts.
The winningest quarterback in NFL history and the league's No.3 career rushing leader were joined by six-time Pro Bowl tackle Bob Brown and Vikings defensive lineman Carl Eller.
Induction ceremonies will be Aug.8 in Canton, Ohio.
"I'm really kind of speechless, to be honest with you," Elway said. "I'm just truly honored to be named to the Hall of Fame with the greats of all time. ... I want to tell every guy I played with, "Thanks."'
Sanders left the game in his prime. He was 31 and 1,457 yards shy of the career rushing record, then held by Walter Payton, when he abruptly retired.
"The guy would've held every record in the NFL if he hadn't retired," Elway said. "It's truly an honor to go in with a guy like Barry."
The first draft choice in 1983 - the greatest class of quarterbacks ever - Elway watched his teams get routed in his first three Super Bowls. But under coach Mike Shanahan, he guided the Broncos to world championships in '97 and '98, capping his career with a Super Bowl MVP trophy.
But Elway remembers how he struggled early, including in his first NFL start against the Steelers.
"I remember I was taken out at halftime. I was 1-for-8 with a pick and I wanted to click my heels together and say, "Auntie Em, bring me home. You can have your signing bonus back. I don't want to stare at Jack Lambert spitting and drooling at me anymore. What the hell have I got myself into.' So for me to be standing here today and thinking about that game, it's a miracle."
Sanders was the first to rush for 1,000 yards in his first 10 seasons and led the league in rushing four times.
"When I think about the Hall of Fame, it seems like that's something that happens to someone else," Sanders said. "You think Dick Butkus, Walter Payton, names of that light. To be here, I truly feel, in some ways a little out of place."
Brown was one of the most feared blockers of his time and played for the Eagles, Rams and Raiders. The second overall pick in the 1964 draft was considered an enormous player at the time, 6 feet 4, 280 pounds.
"I beat on people from the opening kickoff," Brown once said. "I try to take a toll on them."
Eller was a member of the Vikings' Purple People Eaters defensive line and played 16 seasons. He joins teammate Allan Page in the Hall.
Elway became emotional Saturday when he remembered his father, Jack Elway, a longtime coach and scout who died April 22, 2001.
"This is a time that one guy I do think of is my father, who is not here and passed away 21/2 years ago," Elway said. "He truly is the reason I'm standing here.
"The thing I'm proudest of is that I was able to hang in there long enough and win a few Super Bowls."
