Photo Credit: Manny Rubio/USA TODAY Sports
Fran Tarkenton will present Minnesota C Mick Tingelhoff for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The two are best friends and played together during their time in Minnesota. Tingelhoff played in 328 straight preseason, regular-season and postseason consecutively. Tingelhoff played with separated shoulders, torn ligaments and then some. Tingelhoff is this class’ old-timer selection to the Hall and he epitomizes the true grit of players from yesteryear.
The Vikings added Tingelhoff to their Ring of Honor in 2001. Tingelhoff’s illustrious career included highlights such as playing in four Super Bowls (IV, VIII, IX, and XI). In 1969, he was named to the 1,000-yard Club as the NFL’s top blocker. He was also elected to the Pro Bowl six straight times from 1965 to 1970. Mick Tinglehoff will be the 3rd person enshrined in the 2015 class this Saturday.
Former 3rd round KC Chiefs pick Will Shields will be the 4th person enshrined in the Hall of Fame this year. Shields played with the Chiefs for 14 seasons. Shields played in 12 Pro Bowels and started in 223 games. Though the Chiefs never maddest to the Super Bowl while Shields was in uniform, Shields helped create holes for RB like Marcus Allen, Priest Holmes, and Larry Johnson. Holmes had three 1,400-yard seasons and Johnson ran for back-to-back 1,700-yard seasons behind holes Shields created. Shield helped the Chiefs lead the NFL in total yards in 2004 and 2005.
Shields played a significant role on the offensive line in 2003. Shields helped pave the way for Priest Holmes to score a record 27 rushing touchdowns in ‘03. Will Shields is also widely commended for his work in the community. In 2003, Shields was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year for his work with his foundation “Will to Succeed.”
The order of enshrinement is below:
- Ron Wolf
- Charles Haley
- Mick Tingelhoff
- Will Shields
- Bill Polian
- Tim Brown
- Junior Seau
- Jerome Bettis
The enshrinement ceremony will be televised live on ESPN at 7:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 8. Get the latest Pro Football Hall of Fame updates all weekend by following the #PFHOF15 on social media. The Minnesota Vikings and The Pittsburgh Steelers will play in the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game Sunday August 9. The Hall of Fame Game will air live on NBC at 8 ET.
