In his third year of eligibility, former Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison has made it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The first in a line of modern era Indianapolis Colts players has finally made it to Canton. Marvin Harrison was announced as a member of the 2016 Hall of Fame class this evening, finally breaking through the logjam at the wide receiver position.
Congrats to Class of '16: Tony Dungy, Brett Favre, Kevin Greene, Marvin Harrison, Orlando Pace, Dick Stanfel, Ken Stabler, Eddie DeBartolo.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 7, 2016
HOF Class of 2016: DeBartolo, Dungy, Favre, Greene, Harrison, Pace, Stabler & Stanfel
— Rick Gosselin (@RickGosselin9) February 7, 2016
HoFame 2016 Class: Eddie DeBartolo Jr., Ken Stabler, Dick Stanfel, Tony Dungy, Brett Favre, Kevin Greene, Marvin Harrison, Orlando Pace.
— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) February 7, 2016
Based on numbers alone, Harrison was clearly a lock to make the Hall and even though he had better overall stats he had to watch as Andre Reed and Tim Brown were elected over him the past two years. The numbers haven’t changed and Harrison’s were clearly better than those of Brown or Reed.
In his 13-year career, Harrison recorded 1,102 receptions, third all-time in NFL history (behind Jerry Rice and tight end Tony Gonzalez). He has 14,580 receiving yards, ranking sixth in NFL history. Harrison also had 128 touchdowns, putting him at ninth all-time.
Harrison averaged nearly 85 receptions, 1,121 receiving yards, and nearly 10 touchdowns per season. He hit the 1,000 catch mark faster than Rice, who is the greatest receiver of all-time. Harrison also holds the record for most catches in a single season at 143, set back in 2002.
Harrison will be inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside his former head coach Tony Dungy. Dungy is one of a few individuals to win a Super Bowl as a player and head coach.
Earlier this week, Rice said that he felt Harrison was a sure fire Hall of Famer. Quite an endorsement coming from the all-time leading receiver. In fact, for the majority of his career Harrison was compared to Rice.
It started to become clear that Harrison made the Hall of Fame when Terrell Owens tweeted out that he didn’t make it.
Unfortunately I did not make it. CONGRATS to the 2016 HOF CLASS. Thanks to ALL MY FANS for ur unwavering love & support. #ONLYGODCANJUDGEME
— Terrell Owens (@terrellowens) February 7, 2016
Harrison is the first player from the Peyton Manning-era Colts to make it to the Hall. Running back Edgerrin James wasalso in this finalist class, but will have to wait until next year for his possible induction. If this the Super Bowl is Manning’s last game, then he’ll be a first ballot Hall of Famer in five years once he’s eligible. There is also a possibility that the 2000s Colts could see Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis, and Reggie Wayne all make the Hall.
The only question left for Harrison is just how short his acceptance speech into the Hall of Fame will be.