CLEMSON in the NFL

Dawkins at the 2015 Dabo Swinney Football camp
Dawkins at the 2015 Dabo Swinney Football camp

Two former Tigers are candidates for NFL Hall of Fame


by - Assoc. Editor -

Two former Clemson standouts Brian Dawkins and Levon Kirkland were two of 94 nominees named on Wednesday for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017.

Fifteen finalists will be presented at an annual meeting on Feb. 4 in Houston. Generally, around four to eight players are picked for the annual Hall of Fame class.

Dawkins had 34 interceptions, 16 fumble recoveries, 36 forced fumbles and 26 sacks in 13 outstanding years with the Philadelphia Eagles. He is one of six players in NFL history with 25 sacks and 25 interceptions.

Kirkland had 1,024 tackles, 19.5 sacks, 11 interceptions, four forced fumbles in his ten-year career with the Steelers, Seahawks, and Eagles.

Nominees by Position

QUARTERBACKS (7): Drew Bledsoe, Randall Cunningham, Doug Flutie, Donovan McNabb, Steve McNair, Phil Simms, Kurt Warner*

RUNNING BACKS (13): Shaun Alexander, Ottis Anderson, Tiki Barber, Larry Centers, Roger Craig, Terrell Davis*, Eddie George, Edgerrin James*, Daryl Johnston, Eric Metcalf (also WR/PR/KR), LaDainian Tomlinson, Herschel Walker (also KR), Ricky Watters

WIDE RECEIVERS (10): Isaac Bruce, Henry Ellard (also PR), Torry Holt, Chad Johnson, Derrick Mason (also KR/PR), Terrell Owens*, Sterling Sharpe, Jimmy Smith, Rod Smith, Hines Ward

TIGHT END (1): Mark Bavaro

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (14): T Tony Boselli, C Ray Donaldson, G Alan Faneca*, C Jay Hilgenberg, G/T Chris Hinton, C Kent Hull, T Joe Jacoby*, T Mike Kenn, C Olin Kreutz, T Jim Lachey, C/G Kevin Mawae, C Tom Nalen, G Nate Newton, G Steve Wisniewski

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (5): DE Leslie O’Neal, DE Simeon Rice, NT Fred Smerlas, DE Jason Taylor, DT Bryant Young (DT)

LINEBACKERS (11): Carl Banks, Cornelius Bennett, Tedy Bruschi, Seth Joyner, Levon Kirkland, Clay Matthews, Willie McGinest (also DE), Karl Mecklenburg, Sam Mills, Joey Porter, Zach Thomas

DEFENSIVE BACKS (16): CB Eric Allen, S Steve Atwater*, S Joey Browner, S LeRoy Butler, SS Brian Dawkins, S Rodney Harrison, CB Ty Law, CB Albert Lewis, S John Lynch*, CB Frank Minnifield, SS Bob Sanders, FS Darren Sharper, SS Dennis Smith, S Troy Vincent, CB Everson Walls, S Darren Woodson

KICKERS/PUNTER (4): K Morten Andersen*, K Gary Anderson, P Sean Landeta, K Nick Lowery

SPECIAL TEAMS (2): Brian Mitchell (KR/PR also RB), Steve Tasker (ST also WR)

COACHES (11): Don Coryell*, Bill Cowher, Tom Flores, Mike Holmgren, Jimmy Johnson, Chuck Knox, Buddy Parker, Richie Petitbon, Dan Reeves, Clark Shaughnessy, Dick Vermeil

Ultimate Level LogoUpgrade Your Account

Unlock premium boards and exclusive features (e.g. ad-free) by upgrading your account today.

Upgrade Now
Comment on this story
Print   
Send Feedback to Tony Crumpton: Email | Comment
FIRST LOOK: Clemson Basketball Dancing in March Bobblehead unveiled
FIRST LOOK: Clemson Basketball Dancing in March Bobblehead unveiled
4-star lineman picks up Clemson offer on visit
4-star lineman picks up Clemson offer on visit
WATCH: Clemson coordinators talk spring progress, break down latest scrimmage
WATCH: Clemson coordinators talk spring progress, break down latest scrimmage
No. 2 Tigers take on Hurricanes
No. 2 Tigers take on Hurricanes
Post your comments!