Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1983 celebrates 40-year anniversary
Hall of Famers
Published on : 7/13/2023
On July 30, 1983, the Pro Football Hall of Fame welcomed five more individuals to Canton, Ohio. While helping the Hall of Fame celebrate its 20th anniversary, the 1983 Enshrinement class featured four individuals who made history in the passing game and a fifth whose all-around skills might have made him an offensive standout as well if he didn’t find his NFL home on defense.
The Class of 1983 included linebacker/defensive end BOBBY BELL, coach SID GILLMAN, quarterback SONNY JURGENSEN, wide receiver/halfback BOBBY MITCHELL and wide receiver PAUL WARFIELD.
Bell, an all-around athlete built like an inverted pyramid, stood out as one of the most versatile athletes in professional football. A player whose coaches said could play any position on the field, Bell finished his career with 26 interceptions and 40 sacks. He was selected as a member of the AFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Gillman favored the passing game in an era when running the ball was more commonplace, stating “the big play comes with the pass.” His philosophy on passing changed how other teams structured their offenses, with many adopting Gillman’s methods that still can be spotted in today’s game. He was the first coach to produce divisional champions in both the National Football League and American Football League and won an AFL title with the San Diego Chargers in 1963. He finished with a career coaching record of 123-104-7.
Jurgensen, considered by many as the best pure passer of his time, claimed five yardage titles over an 18-year career in Philadelphia and Washington. Win or lose, fans knew they could count on him to provide excitement through the passing game, dissecting defenses and working the clock. His career passing stats included 32,224 yards and 255 touchdowns.
Mitchell blended balance and lightning speed to provide uncommon versatility on the field. With his trade to the Washington Redskins prior to the 1962 season, he became the first African American to sign and star for that organization. He led the NFL in receiving yards in back-to-back seasons with 1,384 in 1962 and 1,436 in 1963 that included a league-record 99-yard TD. His career totals include 10,689 yards from scrimmage and 83 touchdowns.
A member of the NFL 100 All-Time Team, Warfield was regarded as one of the most precise route-runners in NFL history with a set of hands that rarely dropped a ball. Selected to eight Pro Bowls, his 20.1 yards-per-catch still ranks fourth (tied) on the NFL’s all-time list. His career numbers include 8,665 receiving yards and 85 touchdowns.
The Class of 1983 included linebacker/defensive end BOBBY BELL, coach SID GILLMAN, quarterback SONNY JURGENSEN, wide receiver/halfback BOBBY MITCHELL and wide receiver PAUL WARFIELD.
Bell, an all-around athlete built like an inverted pyramid, stood out as one of the most versatile athletes in professional football. A player whose coaches said could play any position on the field, Bell finished his career with 26 interceptions and 40 sacks. He was selected as a member of the AFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Gillman favored the passing game in an era when running the ball was more commonplace, stating “the big play comes with the pass.” His philosophy on passing changed how other teams structured their offenses, with many adopting Gillman’s methods that still can be spotted in today’s game. He was the first coach to produce divisional champions in both the National Football League and American Football League and won an AFL title with the San Diego Chargers in 1963. He finished with a career coaching record of 123-104-7.
Jurgensen, considered by many as the best pure passer of his time, claimed five yardage titles over an 18-year career in Philadelphia and Washington. Win or lose, fans knew they could count on him to provide excitement through the passing game, dissecting defenses and working the clock. His career passing stats included 32,224 yards and 255 touchdowns.
Mitchell blended balance and lightning speed to provide uncommon versatility on the field. With his trade to the Washington Redskins prior to the 1962 season, he became the first African American to sign and star for that organization. He led the NFL in receiving yards in back-to-back seasons with 1,384 in 1962 and 1,436 in 1963 that included a league-record 99-yard TD. His career totals include 10,689 yards from scrimmage and 83 touchdowns.
A member of the NFL 100 All-Time Team, Warfield was regarded as one of the most precise route-runners in NFL history with a set of hands that rarely dropped a ball. Selected to eight Pro Bowls, his 20.1 yards-per-catch still ranks fourth (tied) on the NFL’s all-time list. His career numbers include 8,665 receiving yards and 85 touchdowns.
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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