We’ve long thought that, given his status as one of the most talented and dynamic football players to grace a college football field, Deion Sanders was long, long overdue for recognition for his on-field excellence at Florida State. Finally, the College Football Hall of Fame has recognized.
The former Seminoles standout was one of 14 players and two head coaches who officially joined the 2011 Class of the Hall of Fame late Tuesday morning. The announcement was made by the caretakers of the college game, the National Football Foundation, in New York City.
Along with Sanders and the previously announced selections of Michigan’s Lloyd Carr, Ohio State’s Eddie George, Miami’s Russell Maryland, Alabama’s Marty Lyons and Air Force’s Fisher DeBerry, here are the members of the Hall’s 2011 class:
-- Carlos Alvarez, Florida, Wide Receiver, 1969-71
-- Doug English, Texas, Defensive Tackle, 1972-74
-- Bill Enyart, Oregon State, Fullback, 1966-68
-- Jake Scott, Georgia, Defensive Back, 1967-68
-- Will Shields, Nebraska, Offensive Guard, 1989-92
-- Sandy Stephens, Minnesota, Quarterback, 1959-61
-- Darryl Talley, West Virginia, Linebacker, 1979-82
-- Clendon Thomas, Oklahoma, Running Back, 1954-57
-- Rob Waldrop, Arizona, Defensive Lineman, 1990-93
-- Gene Washington, Michigan State, Wide Receiver, 1964-66
Alvarez, Stephens, Waldrop and Washington were on the ballot for the first time. Perhaps the most glaring omission from this year’s class, at least as far as first-timers are concerned, is Nebraska quarterback Tommie Frazier. Then again, it took “Prime Time” 23 years -- including the obligatory 10-year waiting period -- from the end of his FSU career to be inducted, so maybe it’s not so glaring after all.
All 16 individuals, incidentally, will officially be inducted into the Hall of Fame during a December ceremony.