Being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame is not easy. You must work hard and remain dedicated to the sport for a very long time. There are hundreds of men enshrined in the hall and a thousand more hoping to make it someday. While we anxiously await the announcement of this year’s Hall of Fame class, we can’t help but look back at some of the greatest men to have played the game. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be spotlighting some of the best players to be drafted in each decade. First up is the 1960s!
Mike Ditka
Chicago Bears- Number 1 Draft Pick in 1961
HOF Class of 1988
Tight End
Pittsburgh- All-American
Notable Information-
Career record: 427 receptions, 5,812 yards, 43 touchdowns
First Tight End elected into the Hall of Fame
Scored the final touchdown in Dallas' 24-3 win over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI
Awards-
Rookie of the Year 1961
All-NFL four times
Five consecutive Pro Bowls
Merlin Olsen
Los Angeles Rams’- Number 1 Draft Pick in 1962.
HOF Class of 1982
Defensive Tackle
Utah State- All-American, Outland Trophy winner
Notable Information-
Played in 208 games the last 198 consecutively.
Played 15 seasons with the Rams.
Awards-
Rookie of the Year in 1962
All-NFL in 1964, 1966-1970
Rams’ All-Time Team in 1970
Joe Namath
New York Jets – Number 1 Draft Pick in 1965 AFL Draft 
HOF Class of 1985
Quarterback
Alabama
Notable Information-
First player to sign a contract for $400,000
Played 13 Seasons
Awards-
AFL Rookie of the Year in 1965
All-time AFL Honor Team in 1969
Super Bowl III MVP
Floyd Little
Denver Broncos – Number 1 Draft Pick in 1967
HOF Class of 2010
Running Back
Syracuse- Three-time All-American
Notable Information-
Broncos’ first 1,000-yard rusher
Scored 32 Touchdowns
Retired 7th all-time rushing yards
Awards-
Five Pro Bowls
All-NFL Second Team in 1970 and 1971
These men continue to shine in football after all these years. Each is a pillar of excellence in the sport and a role model for those in the league currently. Mike Ditka went on to coach with the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, and New Orleans Saints. He’s now a sports commentator. Merlin Olsen went on to be a sports commentator and an actor. He starred in several notable shows such as Little House on the Prairie and Father Murphy. You can attend the annual luncheon in his honor just before the Super Bowl each year with the Pro Football Hall Fame. Joe Namath is still one of the most recognizable names in the NFL. Namath also transitioned into acting post-football appearing on several popular shows at the time including The Brady Bunch, The Love Boat, and ALF. Our last Hall of Famer, Floyd Little spends his retirement dabbling in legal and automotive endeavors. Most importantly, Little will be appearing with several other Hall of Famers at the Hall of Fame Experiences Gold Jacket Club February 5, 2017, before Super Bowl LI.
Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend 2017
Want to see this year’s class inducted in person? Then join us in 2017 for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend. This is one incredible weekend of football and fun! Get exclusive access throughout the weekend to Hall of Fame sanctioned events including the Gold Jacket Ceremony, the Concert for Legends, the Class of 2017 Enshrinement Ceremony, and the Hall of Fame Game!
