HOUSTON — Terrell Davis, the Broncos Ring of Famer and all-time leading rusher, is headed to Canton, Ohio. Davis was as part of the Class of 2017 on Saturday after a near nine-hour debate among the Hall’s 48-person selection committee in downtown Houston. His election comes after an 11-year wait — eight years as a semifinalist and three as a finalist — and was celebrated by many, including some of his former teammates and current Broncos:
“The first , you have to understand, Green Bay was the defending champs. The NFC had won like 13 or 14 straight Super Bowls and the games weren’t close. We were 11.5-12 point underdogs. We were really confident in our offense. Once T.D. got rolling, itap hard to patch the canoe in the middle of the stream when you don’t have the supply.”
“There’s no question in my mind that we’re not back-to-back champs if T.D. was not our running back.”
–Shannon Sharpe, Broncos Hall of Fame tight end on his favorite memory with Davis
“He was the ultimate pro. He played just as hard and just as nasty without the ball in his hand as he did with the ball. He was consistent. He was right there when it comes down to being the toughest player I’ve ever coached.”
— Bobby Turner, Falcons running backs coach, who coached Davis his entire career with Broncos
Congrats, , on your selection to the !! Couldn't have happened to a better teammate, player or person!!
— John Elway (@johnelway)
Congrats to my former tmmate and my new tmmate . Congrats Ju
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe)
OK !!! HOF 2017!!! Well deserved!!! Congrats!!!
— AqibTalib21 (@AqibTalib21)
Congrats to all the H.O.F class this year
— Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22)
Congrats TD HOF
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr)
Congrats to Terrell Davis huge accomplishment SALUTE well overdue
— kwebb (@kayvonwebster)
So happy for my brother on his HOF induction! Very proud of you rook!
— Mark Schlereth (@markschlereth)
A huge Mile High Salute to my friend/teammate – on his way to the ! So deserves to be among the greats!
— Ed McCaffrey (@87ed)
Congrats TD. So well deserved!!
— Jason Elam (@Jason_Elam)
Congrats to Terrell Davis on HOF induction. Long time coming and well deserved.
— Chauncey Billups (@1MrBigShot)
https://twitter.com/TorreySmithWR/status/828052342998069248
Congrats Bulldawg!!!!!
— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson)
Congratulations to the Class of 2017! Well deserved.
— Terrell Owens (@terrellowens)
Congrats to my favorite player of all time on getting inducted into the Hall of Fame #30
— Eric LeGrand (@EricLeGrand52)
Some impressive numbers from the career of Terrell Davis:
7,607: The amount of rushing yards Terrell Davis had in his seven-year career. The number makes him the Broncos all-time leading rusher.
Only three retired running backs in NFL history have 60 or more rushing touchdowns, 4.5 yards per carry average and 90 or more rushing yards per game average. All three are in the Hall of Fame: Barry Sanders, Jim Brown and now Davis.
1998: Davis led the Broncos to their second straight Super Bowl title with one of the best seasons by a running back in NFL history. He had 2,008 rushing yards, 23 total touchdowns en route to earning the league MVP award.
4: Davis’ first four seasons may have been the best stretch of any running back in NFL history. He had 6,413 rushing yards, 56 rushing touchdowns, two championships, a Super Bowl MVP and a NFL MVP award.
142.5: T.D. earned his nickname because of his initials and ability to find the end zone, but he also made a big mark in the playoffs.
Davis had a NFL-best 142.5 yards per game rushing average to go with 12 rushing touchdowns in eight postseason contests. He also had a NFL record seven consecutive games rushing for more than 100 yards.
5: There’s no secret the Broncos have been underrepresented in the Hall of Fame. Despite three Super Bowls and plenty of record-breaking performances, Davis became just the fifth Bronco to be elected to the Hall of Fame.
“Steve Atwater, Karl Mecklenburg, John Lynch,” Davis said, mentioning some of players waiting for their turn. “I’m hoping this sort of opens up the gate.”
