Sigma brothers Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith headline 2010 NFL Hall of Fame Class

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“We are blessed to achieve this level of greatness together,” says Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity member, Brother Emmitt Smith. Smith and Brother Jerry Rice were two of the seven players named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, February 6^th, the only first-year eligible players awarded the honor.

The original list of candidates consisted of 131 modern-era players and was whittled down to 25 semifinalists in November and 15 finalists in January, not including the two senior nominees. Each finalist has to receive a minimum vote of 80 percent to be elected.

Rice, a 13-time Pro Bowl selection in 20 seasons, holds numerous NFL receiving records by a wide margin, including receptions (1,549), yards (22,895) and touchdowns (197).

The 49ers selected Rice with 16^th overall pick out of Mississippi Valley State in 1985.  Over the next 16 seasons, the 6-foot-2 receiver was part of three Super Bowl championship teams in San Francisco – winning the MVP in Super Bowl XXIII.

“It was hard work and appreciation for the game,” an emotional Rice said when asked of his historic career. “I love this game. It was everything to me. I’m just honored to be here.”

Rice parted ways with the Niners after the 2000 season and spent three-plus years with the Raiders before an 11-game stint with the Seahawks in 2004.

He finished his career ranked first in total touchdowns (208), while Smith ended with 175 total scores, good for second in the history of the league.

Smith had a similar arc to his career after he was drafted 17^th overall in 1990 out of Florida by Dallas, where he won three Super Bowl rings before spending his final two seasons of his 15-year career with the Arizona Cardinals.

The 1993 league MVP is the NFL’s all-time rushing leader with 18,355 yards in 15 seasons.

“This moment is so real,” said Smith, who was selected to eight Pro Bowls during his career, “I’m living the dream. It’s so special.”

They will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on August 7^, 2010.

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