MKRob Sports

Appearing on the ballot for the first time, Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice were shoo-ins Saturday for enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, leading a seven-man class that includes Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, John Randle, Dick LeBeau and Floyd Little.

Inductions will be Aug. 7 in Canton.

Smith ran for more yards than any player in NFL history, while Rice caught more passes and scored more touchdowns than anyone else. Smith and Rice were in their first year of eligibility.

Former Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals running back Emmitt Smith rushed for 18,355 yards and 164 touchdowns, adding 515 receptions for 3,224 yards and 11 TDs for the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals. The NFL MVP in 1993, Smith also was the most valuable player in the Super Bowl that season.

Smith finished his career as the NFL’s all-time leader in rushing yards, touchdowns and most 100-yard games in a career with 78. He appeared in the Pro Bowl eight times, on the all-pro team five times and winning the Super Bowl three times in his illustrious career. He’s arguably the greatest running back to ever play the game.

Often called the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, Jerry Rice won three Super Bowls and earned the game’s MVP honors in 1989 with San Francisco. He also played for Oakland and Seattle in a 20-season career.

Rice was voted to the Pro Bowl 13 times, named an all-pro 12 times, the 80′s and 90′s All-Decade Team. He also set dozens of receiving records, some of which might never be broken. He made 1,549 catches for 22,895 yards, had 14 1,000-yard seasons and scored 208 touchdowns.

Current Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau considered one of pro football’s great defensive innovators as a coach, was a standout player for the Lions from 1959-72 and finished with 62 interceptions, second for cornerbacks when he retired.

Former Denver Broncos running back Floyd Little played in the AFL and NFL, leading the NFL in rushing for the six-year period from 1968 to 1973. The three-time Pro Bowler retired as the 7th leading rusher in NFL history with 6,323 yards rushing and 54 touchdowns.

Former Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle John Randle, an undrafted defensive lineman from Texas A&I, finished his career tied with Chicago Bears defensive end Richard Dent for 5th in number of career sacks, and his 137.5 career sacks is the most by a defensive tackle in NFL history. Over his career he was named to seven Pro Bowl squads.

Former New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers linebacker Rickey Jackson, a six-time Pro Bowl selection recorded 10 or more sacks in six different seasons and led the NFL in fumble recoveries in 1990 and 1991. He finished his career with 136 sacks and 8 interceptions and still leads the Saints in career sacks with the team with 123.

Former Washington Redskins guard and current Arizona Cardinals offensive line coach Russ Grimm will be inducted after becoming a finalist from 2004-2008. This three-time Super Bowl Champion was one of the famous “hogs” named after the offensive line of the Washington Redskins during the 80′s.