Former Miami football and Indianapolis Colts teammates Edgerrin James and Reggie Wayne will find out on Saturday if they will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer.
Edgerrin James and Reggie Wayne have already been inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame. The Miami football legends were teammates for two seasons with the Hurricanes and five in the NFL with Indianapolis Colts. The 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class could be a banner one for Miami Hurricanes legends.
Legendary Miami football head coach Jimmy Johnson learned in January that he was selected by the veterans’ committee to be inducted this summer. James and Wayne will find out their fate on Saturday afternoon. James is the only running back who is a 2020 modern-era finalist. Wayne is one of two WRs who are modern-era finalists.
James is in his sixth year of eligibility for the Hall of Fame. His numbers more than speak for themselves. James’ stats are among the greatest in the history of the National…Football…League. His former quarterback with the Colts, Peyton Manning wrote a letter in James’ honor as his status is debated.
James is 13th in NFL history in rushing yards, ninth in rushing attempts, 16th in yards from scrimmage, 13th in total yards among RBs, 12th averaging 82.7 rushing yards per game and ninth in touches. James is one of only four RBs in NFL history to rush for over 1,500 yards in a season at least four times.
I’m praying for my 3 former players Edgerrin James, Reggie Wayne and John Lynch that this time tomorrow they will be Hall of Famers. https://t.co/4LBkjQmdJf
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) January 31, 2020
The other three are Eric Dickerson, Walter Payton and Barry Sanders. James’ accomplishments compare favorably to those three and numerous other Hall of Famers. James was Colts’ first pick in the 1999 NFL Draft, fourth overall as part of a blockbuster trade that sent Marshall Faulk from Indianapolis to the St. Louis Rams.
James was exceptional in his first two years in the NFL. The Colts went from 3-13 to 13-3 in James rookie season as he led the NFL with 1,553 yards rushing. James added 13 touchdowns and topped that his second season with 1,709 yards rushing and equaled his 13 trips into the end zone on the ground.
James was a versatile player who was an adept receiver out of the backfield. He added 125 receptions for 1,180 receiving yards and another nine TDs in his first two years in the NFL. James also led the NFL in rushing in that second season when he averaged over 100 rushing yards per game.
With 2,303 yards from scrimmage in his second season, James led the NFL in two of the most prestigious categories. James finished his career with 12,246 rushing yards, 80 rushing TDs, 3,364 yards receiving, and 15,610 total yards. When James retired he was the 10th leading rusher in NFL history.
Those nine players ranked ahead of him plus Marcus Allen, Franco Harris and Thurman Thomas who are behind James in rushing yards are all members of the Hall of Fame. James was first-team all 2000s. The other RB who was first-team all 2000s, LaDainian Tomlinson was inducted in 2017. James was one of the best RBs of his era.
James finished second in the decade with 10,693 rushing yards and 67 TDs. He was named to three pro bowls and was first-team All-Pro in 2000 and 2004. After Miami was QB U in the 1980s and early 1990s, James started a run of RB U in the 1990s and 2000s. He preceded Clinton Portis, Willie McGahee and Frank Gore.