Senior Bowl Hall of Fame Class of 2022
April 21, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Senior Bowl Adds Five New Members to Hall of Fame and Selects 2021 Rookie of the Year
MOBILE, Alabama – The Senior Bowl today announced it will induct five new members into the game’s Hall of Fame — former New England Patriots running back Kevin Faulk, current Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Von Miller, current Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, former Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, and former San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis. Along with the Hall of Fame inductees, the Senior Bowl has chosen Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey as 2021 Rookie of the Year. The recipients will be honored in the annual induction ceremony sponsored by Spire at The Grand Hotel Golf Club & Spa in Point Clear, Alabama on Sunday, June 26, 2022.
“We are excited to announce another great group of Senior Bowl legends into our game’s Hall of Fame,” said Jim Nagy, executive director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl. “All five of these men were incredible players, winners, and community leaders in their respective NFL cities. They have done it all on the field, from Pro Bowls to Super Bowls. We are honored to bring this distinguished group back to Mobile to celebrate, the city where their NFL journeys first started.”
In conjunction with the Hall of Fame festivities, the nation’s premiere all-star game is hosting its Second Annual Senior Bowl Charities Celebrity Golf Classic, presented by First Horizon Bank, which will be held at Lakewood Golf Club on the property of The Grand Hotel. This exclusive event will pair 22 foursomes with celebrities from across the football world, including the five current Senior Bowl Hall of Fame inductees and the Rookie of the Year. The full slate of participants from around college football and the NFL will be released periodically over the next few weeks. Proceeds from the golf tournament will benefit the Mobile Baldwin Athletic Partnership, established in 2021. This program provides needed resources, ranging from pants and jerseys to blocking sleds and video technology, for underfunded public schools in the two-county area.
The Senior Bowl Hall of Fame, established in 1988, includes All-Pros such as Doak Walker, Ray Nitschke, Joe Namath, Mean Joe Green, Walter Payton, Franco Harris, Steve Largent, Kellen Winslow, Dan Marino, Bo Jackson, Derrick Thomas, Brett Favre, and Terrell Owens. In addition, Paul Brown, Don Shula, Tom Landry, Paul “Bear” Bryant, and Eddie Robinson are among the list of inducted legendary pro and college coaches.
Statement from New England Patriots RB Kevin Faulk:
“My Senior Bowl experience had two different aspects of it. The opportunity to meet and play with guys from other conferences, who eventually become your best friends—that was a big part of my experience. Secondly, the opportunity of getting coached by an NFL coaching staff was key for me. I have nothing but great memories of my time at the Senior Bowl.”
Statement from Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams, and Buffalo Bills OLB Von Miller:
“I remember my Senior Bowl experience like it was yesterday! First, I almost didn’t go. I was projected as a likely first round pick. Then my agent asked me if I wanted to compete to prove that I should be a potential top-10 pick. I had a great week of practice, played the entire Senior Bowl game, and then everybody started talking about me going higher and higher in the Draft. I ended up #2 overall and I owe so much to the Senior Bowl for helping me get there. It’s an incredible honor to come back and be inducted into the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame! Gig ‘em!”
Statement from Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott:
“It’s a great honor to be inducted as part of such a distinguished class of 2022. I view my week in Mobile as a game-changer in terms of competing against the very best and helping me prepare for moving on to the NFL. I will forever be grateful to the community leaders, bowl executives, and sponsors who present this game every year, and for the fans of Mobile who provide the support that makes it so very special.”
Statement from Los Angeles Chargers QB Philip Rivers:
“My Senior Bowl experience in 2004 was awesome. I remember the week like it was yesterday. It just so happened that the Chargers’ coaching staff was coaching the team I was on, and I think that was huge for me in the draft process, to say the least. I felt like they already had an interest in me but getting to be on that team with those coaches, them being able to see me work day-to-day, being in the huddle and in the meeting room was a huge benefit to me. They were able to feel confident and ultimately made that trade to have me become a Charger and be a Charger for 16 years. The game itself was a blast – we had a heck of a team. I had a lot of teammates that I ended up following and keeping up with because I played with them in that game. It is ironic now that I am back here in Mobile and Baldwin County – Saint Michael, the high school I coach for, plays in the same stadium in Fairhope where we practiced during Senior Bowl week. It was a special week – I remember winning the MVP and enjoying that time with my wife. I am very excited to go into the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame, and this is a heck of a class with a lot of guys I’ve competed against over the years, so this is certainly an honor I’m thankful for.”
Statement from San Francisco 49ers LB Patrick Willis:
“Playing in the Senior Bowl in 2007 was a tremendous honor and privilege, creating connections that supported me throughout my career in the NFL. I am incredibly humbled to be included in the 2022 Class of Hall of Fame inductees and grateful for the recognition and votes of confidence from the committee.”
Statement from 2021 Rookie of the Year, Kansas City Chiefs OC Creed Humphrey:
“The Senior Bowl was a massive opportunity for me to showcase my skills against the best competition in college football. In one week in Mobile, I was able to learn so much that helped my transition from college to the NFL. I am beyond thankful for the opportunity to have competed at the Senior Bowl. I am extremely honored to be the 2022 Senior Bowl Rookie of the Year.”
SENIOR BOWL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE BIOS
Kevin Faulk
NFL: Selected No. 46th overall in the 1999 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots…played in 161 games in 13 seasons (all with the Patriots)… concluded his career with the Patriots in 2011 as one of the most productive players in team history… dubbed the name ‘Swiss Army Knife’ because of his multitude of tools…he is the Patriots’ all-time leader in all-purpose yards (12,349) and kickoff return yards (4,098) and is the Patriots’ all-time leading return specialist, totaling 5,041 combined return yards (4,098 kick return yards and 943 punt return yards)…he ranks fifth in Patriots history in rushing yards (3,607), fifth in receptions (431), 12th in receiving yards (3,701) and eighth in punt return yards (943)…for his career he accumulated 3,607 yards rushing on 864 attempts for a 4.2-yard average with 16 touchdowns, caught 431 passes for 3,701 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns, returned 181 kicks for 4,098 yards and two touchdowns and returned 101 punts for 943 yards…he is the Patriots’ all-time leader in receptions by a running back and is one of just 30 running backs in NFL history to reach the 400-reception plateau…in the 2000s, he was one of just six players to rush for more than 3,000 yards and gain more than 3,000 yards receiving, joining Tiki Barber, Marshall Faulk, Michael Pittman, LaDanian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook…Faulk helped the Patriots claim 11 winning seasons, including three Super Bowls titles and five AFC Championships…Faulk is a member of the Patriots’ all-decade (2000s) and 50th Anniversary teams as a return specialist…NCAAL: a rare four-year starter at LSU, he topped 1,000 yards rushing in each of his final three seasons and finished his college career with 4,557 rushing yards in 41 games, which was second-best in SEC history behind only Georgia legend Herschel Walker…he also finished his college career with 6,883 all-purpose yards and 53 total touchdowns, which tied him for fifth in NCAA history and first all-time in SEC history…he was named to the 2022 College Football Hall of Fame this past January.
Von Miller
NFL: Selected No. 2 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos…has started all 150 games he has played in through 10 seasons (9 with the Broncos, 1 with the Los Angeles Rams)…so far in his career, he accumulated 540 total tackles, 115.5 sacks, 27 forced fumbles, 22 pass deflections, two interceptions and two defensive touchdowns…he holds five Broncos franchise records for sacks: career sacks (110.5), single season sacks (18.5 in 2012), playoff career sacks (6.5), single playoff season (5 in 2015), and single playoff game (twice in 2016 with 2.5 against the Patriots in the AFC Championship, and 2.5 against the Panthers in the Super Bowl)…he also holds the record for most sacks in the Super Bowl (4.5 in Super Bowl L against the Panthers and Super Bowl LVI against the Bengals)…he made 2011 NFL All-Rookie Team…he was the 2011 NFL AP Defensive Rookie of the Year…has been on the NFL Top 100 nine times…made the Pro Football Reference 1st Team All-2010s Team…made the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2010s Team…was the 2015 NFL Super Bowl MVP…won Defensive Player of the Year twice (2012, 2016)…been selected to eight Pro Bowls…made 1st Team All-Pro three times (2012, 2015, 2016)…NCAA: four-year player at Texas A&M where he played defensive end, weakside linebacker, and outside linebacker…earned first-team All-American honors as both junior and senior…led nation with 17.0 sacks and finished fourth with 21.0 TFL his junior year…battled thru injuries as a senior but still managed 10.5 sacks and 17.0 TFL…won the prestigious Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker as a senior in 2010.
Dak Prescott
NFL: Selected No. 135 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys…has started in all 85 games he has played in through six seasons (all with the Cowboys)…so far in his career, he has completed 1,924 out of 2,889 passes (67%), thrown 143 touchdown passes, and scored 25 rushing touchdowns…holds 20 Cowboys franchise records, including completions, pass attempts, passing touchdowns, completion percentage, interception percentage, and most 4th quarter comebacks…he was named the NFL Rookie of the Year in 2016…he won NFC Offensive Player of the Week four times, FedEx Air Player of the Week two times, Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week five times, and is a two-time Pro Bowler…NCAA: three-year starter at Mississippi State…as a junior, led Bulldogs to 10-2 regular season record, No. 1 national ranking for first time in program history, and appearance in Orange Bowl…broke 10 school records his junior season and was named first team All-SEC by Associated Press, coaches, and ESPN…won the Conerly Trophy and was finalist for Davey O’Brien, Maxwell, Manning, and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm awards…finished eighth in Heisman balloting as junior…has another big year as senior in 2015, becoming only fourth player in FBS history with over 60 career passing touchdowns and 40 career rushing touchdowns…tied an SEC record by accounting for 7 total TD against Arkansas…finished his career ranked third all-time in SEC history in total yards and fourth in total touchdowns…holds 38 school records at Mississippi State.
Philip Rivers
NFL: Selected No. 4 overall by the New York Giants in the 2004 NFL Draft and was immediately traded to the San Diego Charges…started in 240 of his 244 games played throughout his 17 year career (16 with the Chargers, one with the Colts)…for his career he completed 5,277 out of 8,134 passes (65%) and threw 421 passing touchdowns…holds 21 Chargers franchise records, including most games played (228), most wins (123), most pass completions (4,908), most pass attempts (7,591), most passing touchdowns (397), most game winning drives (32), most consecutive starts by a quarterback (224), and most 4th quarter comebacks…he was voted Pro Football Focus Most Valuable Player in 2009… he is an eight-time Pro Bowl selection (2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018)…he was the NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2013)…has the most NFL passing touchdowns (2008)…is the NFL passing yards leader (2010), AFC passing yard leader (2015), NFL passer rating leader (2008), NFL completion percentage leader (2013), NFL Alumni Quarterback Player of the Year (2010), is the PFWA NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2013), and is the 2010 NFL Alumni Player of the Year…holds the NFL record for games with a passer rating above 120 (5) and consecutive completions (25)…NCAA: four-year starter at North Carolina State…led team to 8-4 record and was named ACC Freshman of Year after throwing for 3,054 yards and 25 touchdowns his first season…team finished 7-4 his sophomore year with return trip to Tangerine Bowl and he led ACC with 65.2 completion percentage…led team to school record nine straight wins his junior year and was named MVP in win over Notre Dame in Gator Bowl…as a senior, threw for career-best 4,491 yards with 34 touchdowns in 12 games and finished year as MVP of Tangerine Bowl for second consecutive year…during his college career, Rivers shattered almost every NC State and ACC passing record in a conference record 51 starts…among ACC records were career attempts, completions, and passing touchdowns (95)…led Wolfpack to four bowl appearances and three bowl wins…was second-place all-time in NCAA history with 13,484 yards at the end of his college career, which still ranks 13th all-time among FBS quarterbacks…also threw 95 career touchdown passes, which is tied for eighth all-time with Kliff Kingbury and Brady Quinn…Rivers’ jersey #17 was retired before his final home game at NC State…he was selected to Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.
Patrick Willis
NFL: Selected No. 11 overall by the San Francisco 49ers…started in all 112 games he played in through eight seasons (all with the 49ers)…for his career, he had 950 total tackles, 20.5 sacks, 53 pass deflections, eight interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), 16 forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries…he was names the 2007 NFL AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, 2007 NFL PFWA Defensive Rookie of the Year, 2007 NFL All-Rookie Team, and made the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2010s Team…was selected to 7 Pro Bowls and is a five-time First Team All-Pro…NCAA: three-year starter at Ole Miss…was named honorable mention All-SEC as a sophomore after compiling 70 tackles, 11.0 TFL, and 5.0 sacks…as a junior, led the SEC and finished sixth in nation in total tackles (12.8 per game)…named first team All-SEC by Associated Press and SEC coaches his third season…as a senior in 2016, led SEC in tackles for second straight year (11.4 per game) and added 11.5 TFL, 7 passes defensed, 3.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery…selected as SEC Defensive Player of the Year and consensus first-team All-American…also winner of Jack Lambert Award and prestigious Butkus Award, given to most outstanding linebacker in college football…won Conerly Trophy as top college player in state of Mississippi…also was finalist for Nagurski Awards and semi-finalist for both Lombardi Award and Lott Trophy…was inducted into College Football Hall of Fame in 2019.
Creed Humphrey (2021 Rookie of the Year)
NFL: Selected No. 63 overall in second round by the Kansas City Chiefs…started in all 17 games and played alongside fellow 2021 Senior Bowl alum Trey Smith from the University of Tennessee…named to prestigious Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie team…was the only rookie to be named All-Pro by Pro Football Focus…anchored a Chiefs offensive line that helped unit finish third in league in scoring offense and fourth in passing offense…NCAA: three-year starter at center for Oklahoma…started in 37 of 39 games of his college career…redshirted his first year and left early with one year of eligibility remaining…was Senior Bowl eligible after only three on-field seasons because he earned his degree…part of offensive line group that won the Joe Moore Award in 2018, given annually to the top OL in college football…tabbed as second team All-Big 12 by both media and coaches in 2018 and first team in 2019 and 2020…named Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year his final two seasons at Oklahoma and was third team All-American by Associated Press as junior.
About the Senior Bowl:
The Senior Bowl is an annual college all-star football game played by the top NFL draft prospects at the conclusion of each NCAA season. The Senior Bowl is widely regarded as the preeminent college football all-star game and the first stage in the NFL pre-draft process. Mobile, Alabama has been the home of the Senior Bowl the past 73 years after playing the inaugural game in Jacksonville, Florida in 1950.
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For More Information:
Molly Middleton
Senior Bowl Media Relations Coordinator
mmiddleton@seniorbowl.com