Edgerrin James gets Pro Football Hall of Fame call, Reggie Wayne has to wait

In his sixth year of eligibility University of Miami Sports Hall of Famer, Edgerrin James received the news he will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Edgerrin James played in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks. James was one of five modern-era players who announced as part of the 2020 class for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio this summer. James will be inducted with former Miami Hurricanes head coach Jimmy Johnson.

Edgerrin James finished his NFL career ninth in rushing attempts and touches, 12th averaging 82.7 rushing yards per game, 13th in rushing yards and total yards among RBs, and16th in yards from scrimmage. James is one of only four RBs in NFL history to rush for over 1,500 yards in a season at least four times.

James will become the last of the four players with four seasons of 1,500 yards or more rushing to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The first three were Eric Dickerson, Walter Payton and Barry Sanders. James recorded seven 1,000 yard seasons in his NFL career with six of those being over 1,200 yards.

It is amazing it took the committee as long as it did to induct James. James was a versatile player who was adept as a receiver out of the backfield. He finished his NFL career with 433 receptions for 3,364 yards and 11 touchdowns. James was on pace early in his career to obliterate Emmitt Smith’s career rushing record.

"Edgerrin James Pro Football Hall of Fame biographyHOF Finalist: 4 | Year of Eligibility: 6Position: Running BackHt: 6-0, Wt: 219NFL Career: 1999-2005 Indianapolis Colts, 2006-08 Arizona Cardinals,2009 Seattle SeahawksSeasons: 11, Games: 148College: Miami (Fla.)Drafted: 1st Round (4th overall), 1999Powerful running style and versatility led to spectacular start of career…NFL’s Rookie of the Year, 1999…Captured NFL rushing titles first two seasons (1,553 yards in 1999 and career-best 1,709 yards in 2000) and scored 13 rushing TDs in each season.Caught 62 passes and 4 TDs as rookie and career-high 63 receptions and 5 TDs in second season…Key player in Colts offense that resulted in four division titles and six seasons with 10 or more wins…Won fifth division title with 2008 Cardinals.Started in two conference championship games (one with Indianapolis and one with Arizona) and Super Bowl XLIII…Eclipsed 1,000 yards in a season seven times; topped 1,500 four times.Career total: 12,246 yards on 3,028 carries and 80 TDs … Added 433 career catches for 3,364 yards and 11 TDs … All-Pro three times (1999-2000, 2004) … All-AFC four times (1999-2000, 2004-05)…Voted to four Pro Bowls…Selected to NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s.Courtesy Pro Football Hall of Fame"

James ran for 3,362 yards in his first two seasons. He was on pace for his second consecutive 1,700 yard season in his third year in 2000 before suffering a season-ending knee injury. A fifth 1,500-yard season on the ground would have matched only Sanders. Playing in Arizona and Seattle to close his career might have hurt James.

Without being in the room where the Hall of Fame Candidates are debated we will never know. Larry Fitzgerald who has spent his entire career with the Cardinals is a definite first-ballot Hall of Fame. Fitzgerald and James were teammates with Arizona. Another of James’ former teammates, Reggie Wayne missed being inducted.

Wayne was a finalist for the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class but was likely edged out by former St. Louis Rams great Isaac Bruce. Wayne finished his 14-year NFL career 10th in league history with 14,345 yards and 10th with 1,070 receptions.

Bruce is 13th in NFL history with 1,024 receptions and fifth with 15,208 receiving yards. James is the third Miami alum in as many seasons who will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

If Wayne goes in next year to make it four consecutive seasons with a Hurricane inducted in Canton, it is another impressive feat for the greatness of the Miami football program in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.