The Hogs are finally represented in the Hall of Fame. Former Redskins offensive lineman Russ Grimm was voted into the Hall of Fame Saturday, making him the first from the most famous line in NFL history to reach Canton.
Grimm will be joined by Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice, John Randle and Rickey Jackson. Jackson becomes the first New Orleans Saint to reach the Hall of Fame.
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Grimm played guard for Washington from 1981-91, helping pave the way to three Super Bowl triumphs. He made four Pro Bowl appearances. The most remarkable part about this era is that the Redskins, unlike many other teams, won their Super Bowls with three different quarterbacks. And the starting running backs were different in each as well. The constant was the offensive line dubbed the Hogs.
But the problem over the years was convincing others that the Hogs did indeed have one player worthy of Hall of Fame consideration. Many viewed them for a while as a group known more for what they did together rather than individually. Also, there was some debate as to who was better: Grimm or tackle Joe Jacoby. But Jacoby has not advanced in the Hall of Fame voting as far as Grimm.
Last month, former Redskins offensive line coach Joe Bugel said of Grimm, “The Super Hog has been Russ Grimm. He has ended up being a heck of a football coach, and I loved coaching him. He was allergic to the weight room, he was allergic to conditioning, but liked him because he had the ugliest body I’ve ever seen, and he was a good football player.”
Bugel also said of Grimm’s candidacy, “I sure hope so. It’s amazing that that group right there went to four Super Bowls, and nobody off that offensive line [has been inducted into the Hall of Fame]. Jim Lachey was good, Joe Jacoby, Russ Grimm – if he doesn’t make it this time, I don’t really know what’s going to happen.”
But he doesn’t need to worry. Grimm is in, giving the Redskins yet another player in Canton from that championship era. Among the others: John Riggins, Darrell Green and Art Monk. Coach Joe Gibbs also is in the Hall of Fame.
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