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St. Louis Rams star Marshall Faulk is an NFL Hall of Famer in his first year of eligibility.
St. Louis Rams icon Marshall Faulk had no problem breaking through in a crowded field of NFL Hall of Fame candidates, earning the honor on his first try in a very full group of candidates. Faulk’s 19154 total yards are fourth in NFL history. After joining the Rams in 1999 after a distinguished career with the Indianapolis Colts, Faulk went on one of the greatest peaks in running back history, leading the NFL in yards per carry all three seasons and setting what was at the time a record in 2000, with 26 touchdowns.
For his Rams career Faulk averaged an incredible 4.8 yards per carry while also catching 470 footballs for 4071 receiving yards. 2000 characterizes just how versatile he was—he averaged 156.4 total yards per game, led the NFL in rushing touchdowns with 18, and also caught six passes a game. No player has ever been more dangerous in more ways.
The other NFL Hall of Famers are Deion Sanders, Shannon Sharpe, Ed Sabol, Richard Dent, Chris Hanburger, and Les Richter.
Marshall Faulk, the St. Louis Rams' startlingly versatile running back in the Greatest Show on Turf days, is a Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist, one of three running backs to make it through to the final round. He, Jerome Bettis, and Curtis Martin will each look to be one of the between-four-and-seven elected to the Hall of Fame on Saturday; of the three, Faulk leads in total yards and touchdowns.
Faulk's numbers are almost without parallel in the Hall of Fame—though I guess that's unsurprising, as he's the only Mike Martz running back who's yet proven eligible. Faulk's 767 receptions are more than 200 more than the second player on that list—Emmitt Smith, who played three years longer. His 136 touchdowns are fourth most of any running back, behind only Smith, Marcus Allen, and LaDainian Tomlinson, and seventh-most in NFL history.
The Board of Selectors will almost certainly call Faulk's name soon, but I can't see a situation in which they'd be justified in not calling it tomorrow.
NFL Hall Of Fame: Marshall Faulk Was 'Nervous' About Hall Vote
For most of the prognosticators, Marshall Faulk was a sure thing, first ballot hall of famer. Even though he was all but a shoe-in, Faulk was nervous about the results of the vote before they became official, according to James Varney of NOLA.com.
It's kind of refreshing to hear this take from an athlete on such an important moment in their lives. Even though there was an excellent chance he would get in, and Faulk is used to performing in high pressure situations, Faulk was still as nervous as anyone else would be.
Faulk is an excellent choice for the hall of fame, and a good ambassador of the game. The rest of that article details how Faulk escaped the rough neighborhood that he grew up in in New Orleans, and is an excellent read. Faulk is one of those guys that fans can root for even when he isn't wearing the pads anymore.
Check out this stream on SB Nation for more on all of the newest members of the NFL Hall of Fame.
Feb 07 11:19a by Jordan Ruby - 0 comments