Russ Grimm and Emmitt Smith Among Seven Elected to HOF

Arizona Cardinals assistant coach and former Washington Redskins player Russ Grimm and former Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals running back Emmitt Smith are among seven individuals elected to the NFL Hall of Fame today.

Also elected were former San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, and Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jerry Rice, along with Dick Lebeau, Rickey Jackson,  Floyd Little, and John Randle.

Both Smith and Rice were elected on their first ballot.  Smith, who spent the majority of his career with Dallas and finished up in Arizona, finished with 18,355 rushing yards along with 164 touchdowns.  Rice, the NFL’s all-time receiving leader, played most of his career in San Francisco before brief stints with Oakland and Seattle.

Grimm, who is the current offensive line and assistant head coach of the Cardinals, played 11 seasons with the Redskins, on what is my opinion, the best offensive line there ever was.  Grimm has been a candidate for several head coaching positions over the past few years, including the opening in Arizona in 2007 before Ken Whisenhunt took over and brought Grimm with him over from the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It is well deserved for all!  Although they didn’t earn their selections because of their time as Cardinals, I hope everyone joins me in giving congrats to Grimm and Smith, along with the others.

Scott Allen