NFL Hall of Fame

**burton2019** · February 4th, 2006, 04:01 PM

DETROIT (Ticker) -- The late Reggie White and quarterbacks Troy Aikman and Warren Moon were elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility.

Linebacker Harry Carson and two Seniors Committee nominees - coach John Madden and tackle Rayfield Wright - were also elected to the Class of 2006, which was announced on Saturday at the Super Bowl media center.

The Hall's Board of Selectors narrowed the field of 15 finalists to six candidates on Saturday morning. All those elected received at least 80 percent of the vote from the 39 members of the media.

Regarded as perhaps the greatest defensive lineman in NFL history, White died on December 26, 2004.

A two-time Defensive Player of the Year, White was named to the NFL's 75th anniversary team and elected to the Pro Bowl a record 13 straight times from 1986-98.

Nicknamed "The Minister of Defense" for his dominance on the field and because he was an ordained minister, White retired after the 1998 season but returned in 2000 and played one more year with the Carolina Panthers.

White had 198 career sacks with the Philadelphia Eagles (1985-92), Green Bay Packers (1993-98) and Panthers (2000). He retired as the all-time leader, but his total was surpassed by defensive end Bruce Smith in 2003.

White was the defensive star and spiritual leader of the Packers' back-to-back Super Bowl teams in 1996 and 1997. He had three sacks in the Packers' 35-21 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI.

Aikman was the quarterback on the Dallas Cowboys' three Super Bowl championship teams from 1992-95. His 90 victories in the 1990s made him the winningest starting quarterback of any decade. Aikman held or tied 47 club records, including passing yards (32,942), touchdowns (165) and completion percentage (61.5).

Aikman's top receiver was Michael Irvin, who did not get elected in his second try.

Moon is fourth on the NFL's all-time list with 49,325 passing yards despite starting his pro career in the Canadian Football League.

Carson made the Pro Bowl nine times in his 13-year career with the New York Giants. He was selected in his 13th year of eligibility.

Madden coached the Oakland Raiders for a decade and his regular season winning percentage (.759) ranks as the highest ever among coaches with 100 victories. He was 103-32-7 in the regular season and 112-39-7 overall.

After retiring as a coach, Madden became the NFL's most popular television analyst.

Wright starred at left tackle for the Cowboys from 1967-79 and was a member of two Super Bowl championship teams.

A six-time Pro Bowler, Wright narrowly missed being elected in the regular phase of the voting two years ago, his last shot before becoming a Seniors Committee candidate.

**burton2019** · February 4th, 2006, 04:31 PM

Personally I'm glad to see that Warren Moon made it. I always thought he was underrated.

**greencrest1272** · February 4th, 2006, 04:32 PM

Other than Reggie White and Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin was the most derserving candidate on this year's list. I cant beleive he didnt get in again.

**burton2019** · February 4th, 2006, 04:34 PM

Irvin will get in, in due time. IMO he did not deserve to get in on his first HOF ballot.

**LPDBlueDevils** · February 4th, 2006, 04:40 PM

this is his second. ( Michael Irvin )

**burton2019** · February 4th, 2006, 04:41 PM

my bad

**LPDBlueDevils** · February 4th, 2006, 04:45 PM

I thought for sure they would take Aikman and Irvin togeather. I just remember how the tension was when Steve Young was inducted and Irvin was left out, Chris Berman kept referring to Irvin as the future hall of famer and Young as the Hall of Famer, it was hilarious Irvin looked like he was gonna cry. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

**greencrest1272** · February 4th, 2006, 04:51 PM

IMO Irvin made Aikman look a whole lot better than he acutally was.

**Ironlung** · February 4th, 2006, 05:14 PM

Harry Carson has also said that he wants no part of it. He wanted his name taken off the ballot. He said years ago if he wasn't a HOFer after several votes he would never be.