Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1998 celebrates 25-year anniversary
Hall of Famers
Published on : 7/24/2023
Celebrating their silver anniversary this year are five members elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 1, 1998: safety PAUL KRAUSE, wide receiver TOMMY McDONALD, tackle ANTHONY MUÑOZ, linebacker MIKE SINGLETARY and center DWIGHT STEPHENSON.
Krause hit the ground running and as a rookie in Washington and wasted no time making plays. In his first season, 1964, he led the league in interceptions (12) and was named to his first of eight Pro Bowls. Krause created takeaways, retiring as a four-time All-Pro and the all-time NFL interceptions leader with 81. With the Minnesota Vikings, he won four NFC Championship Games and appeared in four Super Bowls, starting in every game.
McDonald achieved success in the NFL with elusive speed and his ability to run after the catch as a 5-foot-9, 176-pound receiver. Posting a career touchdown-to-reception ratio of 1 in 5.9 and 84 career receiving touchdowns, he retired a proficient scorer. The sure-handed receiver finished his 11-year career with six Pro Bowl selections and one All-NFL selection. He was a member of the 1960 NFL championship Eagles team, catching a team-high three passes for 90 yards and scoring on a 35-yard pass play in the 17-13 win over the Packers.
Muñoz changed the definition of being a complete blocker. He was extremely durable, missing only three games in his career and was an all-around athlete, combining agility, quickness and speed. Selected as an All-Pro in 11 consecutive seasons, Muñoz was a member of the NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team, the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1980s and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Another member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1980s, Singletary brought an unmatched intensity every time he stepped on the field. An NFL All-Rookie Team selection, he continued the lineage of dominant middle linebacker in Chicago and anchored a “Monsters of the Midway” defense that ranked first in nearly every significant category in 1985. He was named Defensive Player of the Year as the Bears steamrolled opponents that season on their way to victory in Super Bowl XX. He won the award again in 1988 and finished his career with eight All-Pro selections and 10 Pro Bowl nods.
Stephenson exploded off the line of scrimmage with ease, contributing to the Miami Dolphins’ success in the 1980s. A five-time Pro Bowl and four-time first-team All-Pro selection, he was another member of the Class of 1998 to earn recognition as a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1980s. Known as durable and dependable during the Dolphins’ mid-1980s run, Stephenson played in 107 consecutive NFL games. He was named to the NFL 100 All-Time Team as one of its four centers.
Krause hit the ground running and as a rookie in Washington and wasted no time making plays. In his first season, 1964, he led the league in interceptions (12) and was named to his first of eight Pro Bowls. Krause created takeaways, retiring as a four-time All-Pro and the all-time NFL interceptions leader with 81. With the Minnesota Vikings, he won four NFC Championship Games and appeared in four Super Bowls, starting in every game.
McDonald achieved success in the NFL with elusive speed and his ability to run after the catch as a 5-foot-9, 176-pound receiver. Posting a career touchdown-to-reception ratio of 1 in 5.9 and 84 career receiving touchdowns, he retired a proficient scorer. The sure-handed receiver finished his 11-year career with six Pro Bowl selections and one All-NFL selection. He was a member of the 1960 NFL championship Eagles team, catching a team-high three passes for 90 yards and scoring on a 35-yard pass play in the 17-13 win over the Packers.
Muñoz changed the definition of being a complete blocker. He was extremely durable, missing only three games in his career and was an all-around athlete, combining agility, quickness and speed. Selected as an All-Pro in 11 consecutive seasons, Muñoz was a member of the NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team, the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1980s and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Another member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1980s, Singletary brought an unmatched intensity every time he stepped on the field. An NFL All-Rookie Team selection, he continued the lineage of dominant middle linebacker in Chicago and anchored a “Monsters of the Midway” defense that ranked first in nearly every significant category in 1985. He was named Defensive Player of the Year as the Bears steamrolled opponents that season on their way to victory in Super Bowl XX. He won the award again in 1988 and finished his career with eight All-Pro selections and 10 Pro Bowl nods.
Stephenson exploded off the line of scrimmage with ease, contributing to the Miami Dolphins’ success in the 1980s. A five-time Pro Bowl and four-time first-team All-Pro selection, he was another member of the Class of 1998 to earn recognition as a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1980s. Known as durable and dependable during the Dolphins’ mid-1980s run, Stephenson played in 107 consecutive NFL games. He was named to the NFL 100 All-Time Team as one of its four centers.
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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