Pro Football Hall of Fame’s inaugural Class of 1963 celebrates 60th anniversary
Hall of Famers
Published on : 6/28/2023
The National Football League awarded Canton, Ohio, as the site for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1961. Construction began in 1962, and the Hall opened its doors for the first time Sept. 7, 1963, welcoming not only fans from around the country, but also its inaugural Enshrinement class, which included 17 of football’s greatest innovators and icons.
Until the 20-member Centennial Class of 2020 was enshrined, this was the largest group the Hall had enshrined.
From the creation of the National Football League and its Clubs to the revolution of offensive and defensive strategy, the 17 members of the Hall’s Charter Class have left a collective legacy that lives on well into the 21st century.
Sixty years ago, these football legends were enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame: quarterback SAMMY BAUGH, commissioner/owner BERT BELL, league president JOE CARR, quarterback EARL (DUTCH) CLARK, halfback HAROLD (RED) GRANGE, founder/coach/owner GEORGE HALAS, center MEL HEIN, tackle WILBUR (PETE) HENRY, tackle ROBERT (CAL) HUBBARD, end DON HUTSON, founder/coach EARL “CURLY” LAMBEAU, founder/owner TIM MARA, founder/owner GEORGE PRESTON MARSHALL, halfback JOHN (BLOOD) MCNALLY, fullback BRONKO NAGURSKI, fullback ERNIE NEVERS and halfback JIM THORPE.
Baugh, the Redskins’ first draft choice after the club relocated to Washington in 1937, split his career between tailback and T-formation quarterback. He greatly influenced the change in offensive philosophy in the NFL, showcasing his passing accuracy. During his career, Baugh recorded a league-record six passing titles and earned All-NFL honors seven times.
Bell, the founder/owner of the Philadelphia Eagles (1933-1940) and later the owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers (1941-46), was named the fifth commissioner of the NFL in 1946. He held the position for 13 years and built the image of the NFL to unforeseen heights, merging with the All-America Football Conference, establishing an anti-gambling stance and beginning the negotiating rights with television providers.
Carr, who founded the Columbus Panhandles in 1904, stood among those who co-founded the National Football League in 1920. He became league president from 1921-1939, introducing standard player contracts and ruling that teams could not sign college players until their eligibility was completed. Carr made it known that for the league to survive, teams had to be located in larger cities, and in 1925 the New York Giants were founded.
Clark, a triple-threat signal caller, led the league in scoring three times after rushing, passing and kicking for the Portsmouth Spartans, who became the Detroit Lions in 1934. He was a six-time All-NFL selection in his seven-year career and was named All-Pro twice.
Grange brought unprecedented attention to the league after joining the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving Day in 1925. At the beginning of his career, his ghostlike speed and elusiveness made him a premier ball carrier. After a knee injury kept him from playing in 1928, Grange transitioned to defensive back, and after years of solid play, he gained additional fame by making the touchdown-saving tackle in the 1933 NFL Championship Game.
Halas, known as the “Mr. Everything” of pro football, dedicated his life to the game we know today. His life revolved around football, playing end for nine seasons, and founding and coaching the Decatur Staleys, who became the Chicago Bears two years later. During his 40-year coaching run, he implemented many changes on his way to six NFL titles, holding daily practices, to utilizing film of opponent’s games for study and broadcasting his team’s games on the radio.
Hein’s durability set him apart in an era when players logged all 60 minutes in every game. A mainstay at center for the New York Giants, he played a total of 15 seasons, until the age of 36. Voted first-team All-NFL eight consecutive years (1933-1940), Hein also earned the inaugural Joe F. Carr Trophy, now known as the NFL’s Most Valuable Player Award.
Henry signed to the Canton Bulldogs the day the NFL was organized in 1920 and was a pivotal player on their 1922 and 1923 NFL Championship teams. Best known for his blocking and tackling as a lineman, his ability to punt, place-kick and dropkick stood out, as he held numerous NFL records. Henry was also noted for his devastating defense, with teams often avoiding his side of the line entirely.
Hubbard combined size and speed at the tackle position, allowing him to dominate from his 1927 rookie season with the New York Giants. The team won their first NFL title that year, and Hubbard earned all-league acclaim in his two seasons with New York. After requesting a trade to the Green Bay Packers, he went on to win three consecutive NFL championships (1929-1931) and claim four more all-league honors.
Hutson dominated during his 11-year career, boasting eight NFL receiving titles. At the time of his retirement in 1945, a total of 18 NFL records had his name beside them, including his 99 career touchdown receptions. Hutson earned league MVP in back-to-back years (1941-42) and led the league in scoring five consecutive seasons.
Lambeau founded the Green Bay Packers in 1919 and became the Club’s first star player and later its coach for three decades. In his 10th and final season as a player, the Packers won their first NFL title. His desire to integrate the forward pass into his offensive strategy as head coach led the Packers to six more titles and kept football alive and well in Green Bay.
Mara paid $500 in 1925 to have a pro football team play in New York, the nation’s largest city. The beginning of his ownership of the Giants was filled with financial hardships – until a sellout crowd came to New York’s Polo Grounds in awe of Red Grange, which assured a future in New York. He built the Giants into a perennial powerhouse despite constant financial battles with the AFL and AAFC, winning three NFL titles and eight divisional championships.
Marshall took ownership of the Boston Braves in 1932 after his three partners dropped out of the league. During his tenure, the Club was renamed the Redskins and moved to Washington, where they won their first two titles. He pushed the NFL to split into two divisions with a championship game between the winners.
McNally pursued professional football under the alias “Johnny Blood” to protect his one year of college eligibility. An unbelievably fast runner with exceptional receiving skills, he played on both sides of the ball and was a ball hawk on defense. McNally was a part of four championship teams with the Green Bay Packers.
Nagurski symbolized power and ruggedness in the early days of football. A bulldozing fullback, he totaled 4,031 yards in nine seasons and contributed on defense as an effective tackler. In back-to-back years (1932-33), Nagurski’s passing touchdowns led the Chicago Bears to league titles, including the NFL’s first official championship in 1933.
Nevers originally had sights on professional basketball and baseball, until the Duluth Eskimos lured him play football in 1926. In his first season with the traveling Eskimos, Nevers played in all 29 games and 1,714 of 1,740 minutes. He dominated the NFL, earning all-league honors in all five of his seasons played with Duluth and later the Chicago Cardinals (1929-1931).
Thorpe, one of the most famous athletes of his time, signed with the Canton Bulldogs in 1915 after winning the 1912 Olympic decathlon. In 1920, when the National Football League was organized, the charter members named Thorpe league president. Thorpe did it all; he could run with speed, throw and catch passes, made bruising tackles, punt long distances and kick field goals both place- and dropkicking.
Until the 20-member Centennial Class of 2020 was enshrined, this was the largest group the Hall had enshrined.
From the creation of the National Football League and its Clubs to the revolution of offensive and defensive strategy, the 17 members of the Hall’s Charter Class have left a collective legacy that lives on well into the 21st century.
Sixty years ago, these football legends were enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame: quarterback SAMMY BAUGH, commissioner/owner BERT BELL, league president JOE CARR, quarterback EARL (DUTCH) CLARK, halfback HAROLD (RED) GRANGE, founder/coach/owner GEORGE HALAS, center MEL HEIN, tackle WILBUR (PETE) HENRY, tackle ROBERT (CAL) HUBBARD, end DON HUTSON, founder/coach EARL “CURLY” LAMBEAU, founder/owner TIM MARA, founder/owner GEORGE PRESTON MARSHALL, halfback JOHN (BLOOD) MCNALLY, fullback BRONKO NAGURSKI, fullback ERNIE NEVERS and halfback JIM THORPE.
Baugh, the Redskins’ first draft choice after the club relocated to Washington in 1937, split his career between tailback and T-formation quarterback. He greatly influenced the change in offensive philosophy in the NFL, showcasing his passing accuracy. During his career, Baugh recorded a league-record six passing titles and earned All-NFL honors seven times.
Bell, the founder/owner of the Philadelphia Eagles (1933-1940) and later the owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers (1941-46), was named the fifth commissioner of the NFL in 1946. He held the position for 13 years and built the image of the NFL to unforeseen heights, merging with the All-America Football Conference, establishing an anti-gambling stance and beginning the negotiating rights with television providers.
Carr, who founded the Columbus Panhandles in 1904, stood among those who co-founded the National Football League in 1920. He became league president from 1921-1939, introducing standard player contracts and ruling that teams could not sign college players until their eligibility was completed. Carr made it known that for the league to survive, teams had to be located in larger cities, and in 1925 the New York Giants were founded.
Clark, a triple-threat signal caller, led the league in scoring three times after rushing, passing and kicking for the Portsmouth Spartans, who became the Detroit Lions in 1934. He was a six-time All-NFL selection in his seven-year career and was named All-Pro twice.
Grange brought unprecedented attention to the league after joining the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving Day in 1925. At the beginning of his career, his ghostlike speed and elusiveness made him a premier ball carrier. After a knee injury kept him from playing in 1928, Grange transitioned to defensive back, and after years of solid play, he gained additional fame by making the touchdown-saving tackle in the 1933 NFL Championship Game.
Halas, known as the “Mr. Everything” of pro football, dedicated his life to the game we know today. His life revolved around football, playing end for nine seasons, and founding and coaching the Decatur Staleys, who became the Chicago Bears two years later. During his 40-year coaching run, he implemented many changes on his way to six NFL titles, holding daily practices, to utilizing film of opponent’s games for study and broadcasting his team’s games on the radio.
Hein’s durability set him apart in an era when players logged all 60 minutes in every game. A mainstay at center for the New York Giants, he played a total of 15 seasons, until the age of 36. Voted first-team All-NFL eight consecutive years (1933-1940), Hein also earned the inaugural Joe F. Carr Trophy, now known as the NFL’s Most Valuable Player Award.
Henry signed to the Canton Bulldogs the day the NFL was organized in 1920 and was a pivotal player on their 1922 and 1923 NFL Championship teams. Best known for his blocking and tackling as a lineman, his ability to punt, place-kick and dropkick stood out, as he held numerous NFL records. Henry was also noted for his devastating defense, with teams often avoiding his side of the line entirely.
Hubbard combined size and speed at the tackle position, allowing him to dominate from his 1927 rookie season with the New York Giants. The team won their first NFL title that year, and Hubbard earned all-league acclaim in his two seasons with New York. After requesting a trade to the Green Bay Packers, he went on to win three consecutive NFL championships (1929-1931) and claim four more all-league honors.
Hutson dominated during his 11-year career, boasting eight NFL receiving titles. At the time of his retirement in 1945, a total of 18 NFL records had his name beside them, including his 99 career touchdown receptions. Hutson earned league MVP in back-to-back years (1941-42) and led the league in scoring five consecutive seasons.
Lambeau founded the Green Bay Packers in 1919 and became the Club’s first star player and later its coach for three decades. In his 10th and final season as a player, the Packers won their first NFL title. His desire to integrate the forward pass into his offensive strategy as head coach led the Packers to six more titles and kept football alive and well in Green Bay.
Mara paid $500 in 1925 to have a pro football team play in New York, the nation’s largest city. The beginning of his ownership of the Giants was filled with financial hardships – until a sellout crowd came to New York’s Polo Grounds in awe of Red Grange, which assured a future in New York. He built the Giants into a perennial powerhouse despite constant financial battles with the AFL and AAFC, winning three NFL titles and eight divisional championships.
Marshall took ownership of the Boston Braves in 1932 after his three partners dropped out of the league. During his tenure, the Club was renamed the Redskins and moved to Washington, where they won their first two titles. He pushed the NFL to split into two divisions with a championship game between the winners.
McNally pursued professional football under the alias “Johnny Blood” to protect his one year of college eligibility. An unbelievably fast runner with exceptional receiving skills, he played on both sides of the ball and was a ball hawk on defense. McNally was a part of four championship teams with the Green Bay Packers.
Nagurski symbolized power and ruggedness in the early days of football. A bulldozing fullback, he totaled 4,031 yards in nine seasons and contributed on defense as an effective tackler. In back-to-back years (1932-33), Nagurski’s passing touchdowns led the Chicago Bears to league titles, including the NFL’s first official championship in 1933.
Nevers originally had sights on professional basketball and baseball, until the Duluth Eskimos lured him play football in 1926. In his first season with the traveling Eskimos, Nevers played in all 29 games and 1,714 of 1,740 minutes. He dominated the NFL, earning all-league honors in all five of his seasons played with Duluth and later the Chicago Cardinals (1929-1931).
Thorpe, one of the most famous athletes of his time, signed with the Canton Bulldogs in 1915 after winning the 1912 Olympic decathlon. In 1920, when the National Football League was organized, the charter members named Thorpe league president. Thorpe did it all; he could run with speed, throw and catch passes, made bruising tackles, punt long distances and kick field goals both place- and dropkicking.
2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame anniversary classes
- Pro Football Hall of Fame celebrates decades of football excellence
- Pro Football Hall of Fame’s inaugural Class of 1963 celebrates 60-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1968 celebrates 55-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1973 celebrates 50-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1978 celebrates 45-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1983 celebrates 40-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1988 celebrates 35-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1993 celebrates 30-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1998 celebrates 25-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2003 celebrates 20-year anniversary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2013 celebrates 10-year anniversary
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