CANTON, Ohio — Saturday was “Selection Saturday” for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and eight players and contributors have officially earned their spot in the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2019. The new class of enshrinees includes: Champ Bailey , cornerback. 1999-2003 Washington Redskins, 2004-2013 Denver Broncos , cornerback. Pat Bowlen , owner. 1984-Present Denver Broncos , owner. Gil Brandt , contributor. 1960-1988 Dallas Cowboys, 1995-present National Football League , contributor. Tony Gonzalez , tight end. 1997-2008 Kansas City Chiefs, 2009-2013 Atlanta Falcons , tight end. Ty Law , cornerback. 1995-2004 New England Patriots, 2005, 2008 New York Jets, 2006-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2009 Denver Broncos , cornerback. Kevin Mawae , center. 1994-97 Seattle Seahawks, 1998-2005 New York Jets, 2006-09 Tennessee Titans , center. Ed Reed , safety. 2002-2012 Baltimore Ravens, 2013 Houston Texans, 2013 New York Jets , safety. Johnny Robinson, safety. 1960-1971 Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs The Pro Football Hall of Fame has a 48-person selection committee that held the annual meeting on Saturday in Atlanta. The Class of 2019 was first announced on stage at the 2019 NFL Honors award ceremony. The eight enshrinees were chosen from a list of 18 finalists and will be officially enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton on Aug. 3.<doc-sep>As part of the buildup to Super Bowl LIII on Sunday, the NFL announced its 2019 Hall of Fame class on Saturday evening. Joining the ranks of those enshrined in Canton this year are three former SEC stars — two from LSU and one from Georgia. Those three ex-SEC stars are former LSU S Johnny Robinson, LSU OL Kevin Mawae and Georgia CB Champ Bailey, all of whom went on to incredible NFL careers: BREAKING: Eight "Heroes of the Game" have been elected to the Hall of Fame's Class of 2019. #PFHOF19 pic.twitter.com/uD2FLRJoKa — Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) February 2, 2019 This year’s class has plenty of stars, and those three ex-SEC athletes are very deserving of induction into Canton. The inductees will be formally enshrined during the Hall of Fame preseason game in August in Canton.<doc-sep>You’re not going to believe this, dawg. Maybe the Pro Football Hall of Fame really does love Denver. Or at least has started to make amends for the most under-represented NFL team in Canton, Ohio. For the first time, two Broncos are going to be inducted during the same year. But other than a piece of football immortality and a date to be fitted for a gold jacket, know what Pat Bowlen and Champ Bailey share? Well, you’ve probably heard how fond Bowlen was of Bailey from the time the cornerback walked into team headquarters after arriving in a trade from Washington in March 2004. How fond? Well, Bailey had trouble believing it when I told him. “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me,” Bailey said. “A dog? Really?” The dog is a 13-year-old Samoyed. A regal and tough animal, whose ancestry herded reindeer in Siberia. It’s fluffy, white and Pat Bowlen’s best friend. Related: Pat Bowlen selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame The dog’s name? Champ. Named in honor of the best defensive player in Broncos history. Of course. “Oh, my god,” Bailey said. “I had no idea.” How many players in NFL history have 52 career interceptions, 12 trips to the Pro Bowl and a dog named after them? I’m guessing only one. So no wonder the 48 Hall of Fame electors felt compelled to grant Bailey a place of honor in Canton during his first year of eligibility. “When I got to Denver in ’04, Mr. B was always around. He was an owner that was far more than the guy upstairs signing the checks. I saw him in the morning, working out alongside us. He was on the practice field and always had time for me in conversation. He never stepped on anyone’s toes or wanted to be the center of attention. But you knew how much he cared,” Bailey said. Game knows game. Bowlen possessed the vision and strength to push fellow NFL owners and the league into the 21st century, helping transform our national pastime into a goliath that defines American culture. Bailey was the coolest cat ever to play the secondary in Denver, a shutdown corner so dominant he didn’t need to flash his ability in neon lights, because that 100-yard interception against quarterback Tom Brady pretty much speaks for itself, don’t you think? The best don’t need to boast. Bowlen never once told Bailey there was a dog named Champ, just as the franchise owner never mentioned to the star cornerback that Bailey was his dawg, a personal favorite Mr. B revered like few players over the past 30 years. “He never told me, not in so many words,” Bailey said. “That’s not something that two men really sit down and talk about. But it was understood.” Football is a brotherhood, in a way Broncomaniacs that despise the Chiefs or Raiders probably cannot fully understand. So as Bailey enters the Hall of Fame as Denver’s first defensive stalwart to be enshrined, he owes a humble debt of gratitude to fellow cornerbacks Darrell Green and Deion Sanders, who showed him the ropes when Bailey was a young pro in Washington. Related: Champ Bailey voted into Pro Football Hall of Fame “The Hall of Fame was always my goal,” Bailey said, with the supreme self-assurance that never required braggadocio. “From early in my NFL career, it was always something I was working toward. I wanted to be the best in my craft. That’s just the way I carry myself. I want to be the best.” Here is why I find it particularly fitting Bailey joins Bowlen in the Hall’s Class of 2019. While everyone in Broncos Country has been lobbying loud and long on behalf of Mr. B, ailing from Alzheimer’s disease, to enter the Hall before he passes away, the father of Denver’s three Super Bowl victories never believed the game should be about him. The Broncomania that fills the stadium off Federal Boulevard is built on players like Bailey, who made fans from Pueblo to Greeley and Limon to Grand Junction treat a football team like family. Bowlen got it. He understood a shutdown corner, not the guy in the owner’s box, was the people’s Champ. At the NFL level, the rarest sight is an athlete everybody else in the huddle knows is a cut above. In that regard, the only true peer of John Elway in Broncos history is Bailey. During the first weekend in August, the town of Canton, Ohio, will be painted orange. Let us shed tears of gratitude for Mr. B and stand to cheer Champ. You’re gonna love this, dawg.<doc-sep>Good morning, Broncos Country! Two Denver Broncos are headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In the same class. Champ Bailey and Pat Bowlen earned induction after the vote on Saturday in Atlanta. Since two Broncos were inducted, there’s a Double Bacon, Double Bronco special edition of the MHR Radio Podcast. It still doesn’t feel real. Perhaps it’s because it’s the first time in the organization’s history it’s happened. Perhaps it’s because Bailey is the first Broncos defensive player to earn a bust in Canton, Ohio. Before I go any farther, think about that. A franchise with the Orange Rush Crush, went to three Super Bowls in four seasons, and back-to-back Super Bowls. At least the voters realized how elite Bailey is. As I said on Twitter, no, it didn’t go the way we all wanted and hoped, but Steve Atwater is the definition of a Hall of Famer. The Broncos legend will get his rightful place in due time. Based on everything that was said after the vote, it could/should happen in 2020. In that refrain, Andrew Mason has wanted the Hall of Fame to have a class that follows the example of the initial 1963 class. Sounds like that could happen. David Baker w/ @ProFootballHOF just told us that in 2020 they are considering an August HOF class (5 modern, 2 contributors & 1 senior) PLUS a 17-member 100th anniversary September group commemorating the first HOF class in 1963. Potentially 25 new HOF inductees! @BKDenverSports — Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) February 3, 2019 David Baker, the president of the Hall of Fame, told Orange & Blue 760 on Saturday night that in 2020 they are considering an August HOF class (5 modern, 2 contributors & 1 senior) PLUS a 17-member 100th anniversary September group commemorating the first HOF class in 1963. As Ryan Edwards said, that is potentially 25 new HOF inductees. The big question on that front is the makeup of modern era and seniors members. That’s a great way to end the logjam of Broncos and players from other teams who need to get inducted. Meanwhile, it’s about damn time the Broncos have their day in Canton. Mile High Salute to Bailey and Mr. B. Horse Tracks Owner Pat Bowlen, cornerback Champ Bailey elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame The Broncos added to their representation to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday in Atlanta. Sources: Pat Bowlen, Champ Bailey have been elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame | 9news.com Broncos owner Bowlen and star cornerback Bailey are sixth and seventh Broncos to get nod for enshrinement. Atwater, Lynch receive disappointing news Finally! Broncos owner Pat Bowlen inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Pat Bowlen reached the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, an honor long overdue and 36 years in the making. Pro Football Hall of Fame's 8-person class includes Ed Reed, Ty Law, Champ Bailey, Tony Gonzalez Four defensive backs -- Ed Reed, Champ Bailey, Ty Law and seniors finalist Johnny Robinson -- were among the eight selected for enshrinement by the Hall's Board of Selectors on Saturday at the Georgia World Congress Center. NFL Tracks Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2019: Ed Reed, Tony Gonzalez announced - SBNation.com It only took about two minutes to vote Reed in. NFL Honors 2019: Live updates as award winners are announced - SBNation.com Will Patrick Mahomes earn MVP honors? How about Andrew Luck for Comeback Player of the Year? We have all you need to know about the NFL Honors awards show on Saturday. Super Bowl 2019 prediction: Rams vs. Patriots scouting report preview - SBNation.com Retired NFL defensive end Stephen White pored over all the tape of the Rams and Patriots. He knows what both teams should do -- and who will probably win. What’s next for Nick Foles after Philadelphia Eagles’ NFL playoff run? - SBNation.com Philadelphia could look to trade the former Super Bowl MVP. The Super Bowl should be moved to Saturday night by the NFL Super Bowl Sunday is a thing of tradition but the idea of having the NFL's championship game on a Sunday night is an outdated way of thinking. Zac Taylor set to finalize Bengals HC deal Monday - NFL.com Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Taylor is scheduled to fly to Cincinnati to finalize his deal to become the new Bengals coach, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported. Brian Flores to be introduced as Dolphins HC Monday - NFL.com NFL Network's Mike Giardi reports that New England Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores will be introduced as the Miami Dolphins' new head coach on Monday. Philip Rivers offers heartfelt gratitude to San Diego - NFL.com Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who still lives in San Diego, offered his thanks and gratitude to the city where his career and family has grown over the years. Kyle Shanahan explains how NFL Next Gen data helps 49ers in practice | NBCS Bay Area While each player, game ball and referee is tracked in every NFL game, not every team tracks its players during practice. The 49ers do, though, and coach Kyle Shanahan explained why.<doc-sep>
The Denver Broncos were well represented in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2019 vote on Saturday. Voters put in both owner Pat Bowlen as a contributor and first ballot cornerback Champ Bailey into the Hall of Fame. We know the fan reaction was one of elation over both. Bowlen had been snubbed every year since the contributor classification was added in 2015. Finally, after much lobbying by everyone in Broncos Country, Bowlen was a lock this year and is now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Champ was always going to be a first ballot Hall of Famer. He was the greatest player at his position throughout most of his career. His induction will mark the first time a Broncos defensive player will be enshrined into the Hall of Fame. Hopefully, this means both Steve Atwater - who made it into the final 10 this year - and Randy Gradishar are not far behind. The elation extended beyond just fans. I went around and collected some of the noteworthy reactions to this news from Saturday. Broncos Hall of Fame Reactions I’m so thrilled for Pat! For what he did for the Broncos and the league, he is the definition of a Hall of Famer. There truly is no greater recognition in the world of football!!!! pic.twitter.com/3ZnyesJTMV — John Elway (@johnelway) February 3, 2019 Congrats to Champ - the very first of many deserving Broncos defensive players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame! For Champ to get selected in his first year is proof of what a great career he had and what a great Bronco he is! https://t.co/KyhTBMhj3r — John Elway (@johnelway) February 3, 2019 Congrats to the @ProFootballHOF class of 2019. Each inductee is so deserving of this tremendous honor. Especially proud of Mr. Bowlen and @champbailey, two of my great friends in this game and two of he best ever to do their respective jobs. https://t.co/BEOPymo11Q — John Lynch (@JohnLynch49ers) February 2, 2019 Peyton Manning on @champbailey and Pat Bowlen getting elected to the @ProFootballHOF: pic.twitter.com/V8iUmHekgd — Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) February 3, 2019 Congrats to the greatest owner in pro sports history! Pat Bowlen is in the @ProFootballHOF https://t.co/3ClmBltaFS — Karl Mecklenburg CSP, NFL (@KarlMecklenburg) February 2, 2019 This morning I had the honor and privilege of presenting Broncos owner Pat Bowlen’s candidacy for induction into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. I hope I did right by him. Thanks to @Jeff_Legwold @psmyth12 and the @Broncos family for their invaluable assistance. #ItsTime — Jim Trotter (@JimTrotter_NFL) February 2, 2019 Congratulations Mr. B!!! It is truly an honor to play for your franchise. You always were a fashionable man, now you get to add a GOLD jacket to your wardrobe https://t.co/eAtQ0ZDhXw — Brandon McManus (@thekidmcmanus) February 3, 2019 Mr. Bowlen is the heart and soul of every bronco! Congratulations to you and your family! https://t.co/CTQLfxJiob — Adam Gotsis (@gotsis96) February 3, 2019 Congrats to former teammates Champ Bailey and Ty Law on making the hall! Congrats to the best owner in NFL Pat Bowlen! Majorly bummed for the best safety ever yet to make it in @SteveAtwater27. In due time my friend. — Tyler Polumbus (@Tyler_Polumbus) February 3, 2019