Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis was named to the NFL’s Hall of Fame Class of 2018 in his first year on the ballot.
(AP Photo/Rob Carr)
AP Photo/Rob Carr
Lewis will be joined by fellow linebacker Brian Urlacher who made also made it on his first year on the ballot.
(AP Photo/Joe Howell)
AP Photo/Joe Howell
Wide receiver Randy Moss also made it in his first year of eligibility. Moss burst onto the scene with the Vikings in 1998 and wound up playing for five teams.
(AP Photo/Stephan Savoia, File)
AP Photo/Stephan Savoia, File
Terrell Owens (81) was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame Class of 2018, he ranks second to Jerry Rice with 15,934 yards receiving and is third on the all-time touchdowns receiving list with 153 but often wore out his welcome with teams. File.
(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
AP Photo/Chuck Burton
In this Nov. 14, 2010 file photo, Denver Broncos safety Brian Dawkins celebrates a goal-line stand against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL football game in Denver. Dawkins was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018.
(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)
AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File
In this Nov. 24, 1963, file photo, Green Bay Packers offensive guard Jerry Kramer and coach Vince Lombardi watch the Packers’ defense against the San Francisco 49ers in an NFL football game in Milwaukee. Kramer was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018.
(AP Photo/File)
AP Photo/File
In this Dec. 3, 1978, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris (32) picks up 10 yards as he turns the corner as Houston Oilers’ Robert Brazile (52) makes a dive to latch on to Harris to make the stop, during an NFL football game in Houston. Brazile was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018.
(AP Photo/Ed Kolenovsky, File)
AP Photo/Ed Kolenovsky, File
Former Redskins GM Bobby Beathard, right, was also elected after helping build four Super Bowl champions in Miami and Washington and made seven trips to the title game during more than three decades as a personnel executive with a sharp eye for talent.
(AP Photo/Steve Helber)
WASHINGTON — Ray Lewis, the longtime Baltimore Ravens linebacker will be heading to Canton after being elected to the NFL’s Hall of Fame in his first year on the ballot.
But longtime Redskins offensive tackle Joe Jacoby will not be accompanying Lewis. Jacoby did not make it in his final year as a modern day finalist. He still could eventually get the call to the Hall of Fame as a senior finalist.
Lewis joins Randy Moss, Brian Urlacher, Brian Dawkins, Terrell Owens, Jerry Kramer, Robert Brazile and Bobby Beathard in the NFL’s Hall of Fame Class of 2018.
Lewis is widely considered one of the greatest middle linebackers, winning two AP Defensive Player of the Year awards and earning eight All-Pro selections. He anchored a dominant defense for the 2000 Baltimore Ravens in a season that ended with him winning Super Bowl MVP, then retired as a champion after Baltimore closed his last season with a title win over San Francisco in February 2013.
Lewis joined tackle Jonathan Ogden as the only Ravens voted into the Hall of Fame as both of the team’s first-round picks in its initial season of 1996 received the high honor.
Lewis’ career was also marked by legal problems off the field. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice after initially being charged with murder in connection with two killings following a Super Bowl party in Atlanta in January 2000. Lewis was also fined $250,000 by the NFL.
Jacoby will have to wait another year to make the Hall of Fame. He now moves to senior nominee status, which is for players whose careers ended at least 25 years ago.
Jacoby spent all of his 13-year career with the Redskins and was part of the vaunted “Hogs” offensive line that helped lead the Redskins to four trips to the Super Bowl three Super Bowl wins, each time with a different starting quarterback.
He was a two-time first-team All-Pro and was selected to four straight Pro Bowls from 1983-1986.
