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Post by ezlee2 on Jan 2, 2019 10:22:44 GMT -5
Peter "The Warhorse" Chamberlain
RZB Hall of Fame Class of 2031
13 RZB seasons - 4012 carries for 19,546 yards - 4.87 ypr. 156 touchdowns. 648 receptions for 6019 yards - 6.92 ypt. 47 touchdowns. The all-time leader in rushing attempts, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, 100-yard games rushing (91), yards from scrimmage (25,565), all-purpose yards (27,054).
All-League 1st Team Runningback
2024, 2025 Offensive Player of the Year
2025 Solecismic MVP 2025 League Championship MVP 2024 RZB Blitz Bowl Champion 2021,2024
The "Ol' Warhorse" came to the Steelers as a highly touted prospect who was selected 1.2 in the 2019 draft. He went on to become the face of the franchise for the next 11 seasons and was instrumental in leading the team to championships in 2021 and 2024. Always in the shadow of RZB legend Thomas Rawls, Peter Chamberlain was determined to prove his critics that he could/would wind up the all-time greatest RB in league history. At a position where players fall off after the age of 30, Chamberlain thrived producing over 5,000 yards after eclipsing that mark. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in 12 of his 13 seasons and was the ultimate iron-man missing only 1 game in his entire career and that came in his final season with the Giants at the ripe old age of 34.
His finest season came in 2024 when he rushed for a career-high 1,801 yards on 321 for a 5.63 ypr with 16 TDs. He also led the team in receiving that season with 96 catches for 909 yards and another 6 TDs. However, his most impressive campaign had to be his 2028 season when he rushed for 1,800 yards on 337 carries and 16 TDs. The following season he passed Rawls for the all-time leading rushing record. Many expected him to retire after that year, but he carried on. However, he was released by the Steelers due to salary cap reasons and signed on with the Bengals where he continued to defy Father Time. His last season in the RZB was with the New York Giants and it was the only year where he failed to rush for 1,000 yards, but he did not get the opportunity for meaningful playing time until the 6th game of the season.
Steeler GM ezlee2 had the following to say about the RB that holds every non-passing offensive record. "PC was the heart and soul of this franchise for over a decade. He exemplified what it means to be a Pittsburgh Steeler and was the ultimate professional. The single best decision that I made as a GM in FOF was drafting him." Chamberlain's story was highlighted in Joel Lewis' A Football Life. You can read that story HERE
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Post by rush27 on Feb 11, 2019 12:39:01 GMT -5
Jon Strong
RZB Hall of Fame Class of 2032
12 Seasons in the RZB 1st Team All Pro x 1 (2020) 2nd Team All Pro x 1 (2021) 2nd All Time Sacks (108.5) 1st All Time Forced Fumbles (32)
The story of Jon Strong begins in the city of Baytown, Texas. He attended Goose Creek High School and played Football as a Running Back and Safety. Strong accepted a scholarship from UCLA and was redshirted his freshman year before being moved to Outside Linebacker the following year. He showed a knack for getting round the edge and getting to the Quarterback despite his diminutive size and was excellent on Special Teams. In his Junior and Senior years, he was named to the PAC-12 Football All-Conference Second Team Defense.
At 5"9 and 219 lbs, there were doubts over Strong's ability to forge out a career in the RZB. Scouts writ him off as a one trick pass rushing pony, unable to defend the run and limited when dropping into coverage. But the Kansas City Chiefs liked his attitude and motor and were impressed with his speed around the edge and liked him enough to pick him with the twelfth pick in the third round of the 2016 draft.
The first multi-sack game of Strong's career would come in just his second start (27-10 win in Carolina) and he would finish with a solid five sacks on the year in just as many starts.
Strong would go on to establish himself as one of the premier pass rushers in the RZB and his most impressive season would be in 2021. Nineteen sacks came in just twelve starts before succumbing to a hamstring injury in week 13 against Indianapolis which would ultimately put paid to his season.
Week 3, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio, on just the second play of the day, Strong beat Browns guard Les Garner and slammed QB Ernie Hawks to the turf for a six yard loss. Strong had become just the third player in RZB history to accumulate 100 sacks.
It would be his last season in Kansas City. Strong would finish his Chiefs career in 2026 with 102 sacks in 136 starts before seeing out his career in Green Bay.
Strong's story has also been immortalised in the Football Life episode Punching above your weight
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Post by rush27 on Feb 16, 2019 21:37:56 GMT -5
Theodore Hoffman
RZB Hall of Fame Class of 2032
12 Seasons in the RZB Defensive Player of the Year x 2 (2025, 2028) 1st Team All Pro x 5 (2025, 2026, 2028, 2030, 2032) 2nd Team All Pro x 1 (2031) RZB All Decade Team (2020-2029) 1st All Time Sacks (134) 1st All Time Hurries (317) 5th All Time Blocked Passes (48)
Theodore Hoffman was born and raised in the city of Fremont, California and attended Irvington High School. Hoffman concentrated on basketball as a youth, in which he played the position of shooting guard and only began playing football at the advanced age of fifteen. He did not play organised high school football until the following year (eleventh grade), and was not heavily recruited coming out of high school. After graduating, Hoffman attended East Carolina University and played as a three technique Defensive Tackle. He had 12 sacks in his final year there (2021) and set numerous defensive records. He was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American and the American Athletic Conference player of the year.
Drafted seventh overall in the 2021 RZB draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, Hoffman was moved to DE in a 3-4 scheme in his second season and began to show a knack for getting in the face of the opposing QB and creating havoc. In 2025, he won his first Defensive Player of the Year award after a personal best 18.5 sacks and broke the record for sacks in a season in 2028 with 21.5 sacks, winning his second Defensive Player of the Year award along the way.
Hoffman spent his whole career with the Chiefs and holds the all-time RZB record for sacks, hurries, QB Knockdowns and 5th all time in blocked passes.
In an era of great RZB pass rushers, one man stands alone at the top. Theodore Hoffman.
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Post by rush27 on Apr 21, 2019 18:50:24 GMT -5
Sammy Farmer
RZB Hall of Fame Class of 2033
12 Seasons in the RZB Defensive Rookie of the Year (2018) Defensive Player of the Year x 1 (2020) 1st Team All Pro x 2 (2020, 2024) 2nd Team All Pro x 2 (2018, 2027) RZB All Decade Team (2020-2029) 4th All Time Sacks (104) 5th All Time Blocked Passes (48)
Sammy Farmer was born and raised in Montrose, Pennsylvania and earned a scholarship to play football at Colorado State. He originally played at Safety before bulking up and moving to Outside Linebacker in his senior year. Despite his lack of size, he proved to be a 'Jack of all trades' Linebacker in tackling and getting to the QB and was named the Butkus award winner in his final year.
A strong showing at the annual combine saw him shoot up draft boards and taken with the tenth overall pick by the Miami Dolphins in the 2018 draft. A fantastic rookie season saw Farmer claim the Defensive Rookie of the Year award after amassing 13.5 sacks and leading the Dolphins to the post season. Just two seasons later he would post a career high 18.5 sack season and named Defensive Player of the Year and 1st Team All Pro.
Farmer would go on to spend his whole RZB career with the Dolphins and total over one hundred sacks.
Recognised by his peers as one of the greatest all round Linebackers in RZB history, Sammy Farmer is deservedly inducted into the Hall of Fame and will receive his Gold Jacket from former Miami Dolphins GM, scorp.
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Post by ezlee2 on Sept 10, 2019 6:07:51 GMT -5
Asher "Machine" Gunn
RZB Hall of Fame Class of 2034
14 RZB seasons, 54 INTs (RZB record), 865 tackles, 100 passes defended, 80.9 PD
All-League 2nd Team Safety
2029 RZB Blitz Bowl Champion 2021,2024
There are plenty of underdog stories in professional sports as many times players overcome the odds and adversity to have long and productive careers. Asher Gunn is one of those stories as many overlooked his small stature, but not the Steelers who had their eye on him after an impressive showing at the combines. Gunn went on to become the ultimate team first player who was still overlooked by many of the experts as he was routinely snubbed for postseason awards, but he continued to put up big numbers year after year. He was an integral part of an elite secondary that helped the Steelers to two bowl wins. He finished his career as the all-time leader in INTs.
Steeler GM ezlee2 had the following to say about the Safety that defined their defense for over a decade: "We knew that Asher was something special from the get go. He was never the biggest or the fastest, but he just had the "it factor" and a true playmaker for us. When the team needed a big play, he always came through for us." Gunn's story was highlighted in KingLewy's A Football Life. You can read that story HERE
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Post by Nick on Oct 21, 2019 15:37:45 GMT -5
Class of 2036
11 seasons in the RZB 3 Superbowl rings 4x All Pro
Murray was inducted in his 2nd ballot unanimously.
Standing at only 6-0 and weighing in 262 lbs the California native played Linebacker at Texas. Whilst demonstrating tremendous physical talent Murray was not dominant at the position. Despite a class leading combine Murray was dismissed as a workout warrior by many. He fell all the way to the 3rd round in 2025, where Seattle selected him with the 18th pick. He was immediately move to DE. After a year learning his trade he posted 13.5 sacks in his 2nd season and 18.5 sacks in his 3rd year.
Dominic Murray played all 11 of his RZB seasons for the Seattle Seahawks. He ended his career 2nd all-time in Sacks, Hurries and Passes Blocked. 1st ballot HOFer Theodore Hoffman leads all 3 categories, but Murray is right on his tail having played 1 season less.
Dominc Murray led a Seattle defense which emerged as RZB Champions 3 times in his career, in addition they came out on the losing side in 3 superbowls. Over half of Murray's 11 seasons ended in a Superbowl appearance. Murray dominates playoff pass rush statistics 1st in Sacks, Hurries and Blocks.
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Post by Nick on Nov 3, 2019 7:09:08 GMT -5
Butch Garcia
Class of 2036
10 Seasons in the RZB 3x DPOY 8x All Pro Defensive Rookie of the Year
Garcia was inducted in his 1st ballot unanimously
Butch Garcia was drafted by the New England Patriots with the 4th pick overall in 2027. Garcia grew up barely 100 miles from Tennessee, a life long Titans fan. In 2029 his dream became a reality as the Titans came knocking and an agreement was reached.
Garcia was not the most physically gifted played, neither was he the most physically imposing. Yet it was immediately obvious that he was great value even at 4th overall, he was a dominant force from day 1. Garcia was as stout as they come versus the run, always in the thick of it. Yet he never missed a game through injury. Versus the pass Garcia amounted 98 passes defended and 40 interceptions over his career, which is the leading mark amongst Linebackers all-time.
Garcia never won an RZB title. It was nothing short of a shock when Garcia walked away from the game in his 10th seasons at only 32. The Titans were dominant having just posted a 14-2 season. Perhaps the disappointment was too much. Still, Garcia left a body of work which leaves no doubt that he was one of the very best to play the game.
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Post by rush27 on Jan 23, 2020 12:12:23 GMT -5
Aaron Donald
RZB Hall of Fame Class of 2034
12 Seasons in the RZB 1st Team All Pro x 3 (2018, 2021, 2024) 2nd Team All Pro x 1 (2020) RZB All Decade Team (2020-2029) RZB Bowl Champion (2019)
A native of Pittsburgh, Donald committed to his hometown College and his breakout year came in his sophomore season where he was named a second team All-Big East selection. In his Junior year he earned first team All-Big East selection and in his senior season, he was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year and was a unanimous All-American.
The story of Aaron Donald's RZB career starts in St. Louis with the Rams where he had a couple of unspectacular seasons before being traded to the Tennessee Titans for picks 1.21 and 5.21 in the 2017 draft. We would have to wait until 2018 before he really showed his promise, recording twelve sacks on the year and being named 1st Team All-Pro for the first time in his career.
In 2019, he would lead all Defensive Tackles in hurries with 17 and the season would culminate in an RZB Bowl win for the Titans against the Seattle Seahawks. Donald's contribution that day included a sack of QB Lawrence Perry, teaming up with DE Adrian Tatum and forcing a fumble on the play. The Seattle drive would stall and Tennessee would force a redzone field goal a couple plays later.
Donald would have a short spell in San Diego before seeing out his career in New York with the Giants. He never did get back to the big game but would be named 1st Team All-Pro twice more, in 2021 (Tennessee) and 2024 (New York). Consistently one of the best players at his position, Aaron Donald is inducted into the RZB Hall of Fame.
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Post by Nick on Jan 25, 2020 17:12:32 GMT -5
Eric Rogers
Class of 2038
14 seasons in the RZB 4 x All Pro 5 Superbowl Rings
Rogers was drafted 23rd overall by the Seattle Seahawks in 2019. Immediately he was handed the starting role at Center, and it was one he didn't relinquish for 12 seasons. Rogers was undersized at 6-0, 274 lbs, yet he was the anchor on a Seahawks OL that provided the platform for 5 RZB Championships in his career. Thomas Rawls ran behind Rogers for 5 seasons breaking the 2000 yard mark twice. R.J.Foster took the batten from Rawls, rushing for nearly 7000 yards over the next 4 seasons. He broke the 2000 yard mark in 2025.
Despite his lack of bulk Rogers ranks 4th all-time in both KRB's and 4th all-time in pancake blocks. He played 18 games fewer than any of the players ranked above him. Rogers was equally dominant as a pass blocker. His 0.5% sack ratio, up there with the very best to play the game.
A leader and a winner. It took 6 seasons after his retirement for HOF recognition. Playing on the Offensive Line will never get you on the front page. Perry, Rawls and Moss gained the credit and walked straight in to HOF. But Rogers laid a foundation which allowed those players to shine.
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Post by rush27 on Mar 21, 2020 20:36:08 GMT -5
Earnest Nixon
RZB Hall of Fame Class of 2035
13 Seasons in the RZB 1st Team All Pro x 2 (2027, 2029) RZB All Decade Team (2020-2029) 5th All Time Pancake Blocks (68)
The year is 2023 and the RZB draft was being held in Lubbock, Texas. Eyebrows had been raised when Auburn CB Emmitt Terrill was taken first overall by the New Orleans Saints but there were audible gasps when it was announced that the Atlanta Falcons had chosen Guard Earnest Nixon out of Tennessee as the number two pick in the draft.
A dirty birds fan was quoted at the time, "I couldn't believe it! When I heard Tennessee, I thought we had grabbed WR Shaun Germany, he would have been a great weapon for QB Abeykoon to pair with Rickey Davison. But we chose a Guard. A Frickin' Guard!".
Standing at a hulking 6'5 and 336lbs, Nixon would go on to be one of the premier guards in the RZB for the best part of the next decade. In 2027 he would receive his maiden First Team All-Pro nod and the Falcons would reach the RZB bowl for their first time in history. Unfortunately, the Buffalo Bills, inspired by QB Blake Ruoff and WR Caden Sinclair would take the spoils.
2029 was arguably one of the best seasons from any Offensive Linemen in history as he would go on to amass an incredible nineteen Pancake Blocks on the year (only T Greg Robinson can boast more in a season with 24).
The next few seasons would prove to be difficult with injuries before leaving for Los Angeles, firstly with the Rams (2031-2033) and then ending his career with the Chargers (2034-2035) and another RZB Bowl. This time, he would end up on the winning side as the Chargers upset the odds to beat the Seahawks. He finally had the ring that his distinguished career had deserved.
The first Offensive Guard to be named to the RZB Hall of Fame and with a unanimous first ballot vote. Welcome Earnest Nixon.
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Post by Nick on Mar 22, 2020 8:58:01 GMT -5
Junior Knopf
RZB Hall of Fame Class of 2039
13 Seasons in RZB 2 x All-Pro (2026, 2027) 1st all-time tackles
At 6-1, 236 lbs Knopf was drafted 17th overall in 2024 by the Detriot Lions. He settled in to the 4-3 MLB role, and by mid season he was the starter. It was a role which he didn't relinquish for over a decade. Junior Knopf was one of those great players who flew under the radar for much of his career. He spent 11 seasons on a mediocre Detriot Lions team, before landing on the Baltimore Ravens where he experienced 2 more losing seasons. Today is the time to appreciate his greatness as a player and consider what he contributed to the game.
Knopf left the game with the highest tackle count in RZB history. He also contributed 100 passes defended and 25 career sacks. Fighting a losing cause for much of his career, Knopf was a gladiator in every sense. Sadly in team sports what you put in doesn't always translate in to the deserved results. Junior never got the ring he deserved. In fact he only played in 6 playoff games his whole career. Winners do not always win in team sports. However Junior Knopf left a legacy which will not be forgotten as today he is enshrined in the RZB Hall of Fame.
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Post by Nick on Apr 2, 2020 12:29:10 GMT -5
T Roman HatchAll-League First Team 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2032
All-League Second Team 2024
RZB Blit Bowl Champion 2030Ramon Hatch was drafted 36th overall by the Minnesota Vikings in 2022. He started immediately in his rookie season. Early on he had some troubles adjusting his game to the big boys, however he showed enough promise to stay at the starting right tackle spot. In 2024 his dominance begin, he was overpowering opposing defenders with his size (6'5, 326lbs) as well as his raw strength and got many individual awards. However his his biggest achievement was the RZB Blitz crown with the Minnesota Vikings in 2030. Hatch's career numbers are comparable to the two previous indcuted tackles (Greg Robinson & Jack Fonda), he wasn't as great of a run blocker as Greg Robinson nor was his pass blocking on the level of Jack Fonda but overall his game was probably the most balanced of the top 3 tackles in RZB history.
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Post by Nick on Apr 4, 2020 15:05:42 GMT -5
C K.C. PolkRZB Hall of Fame Class of 204013th Selection Overall in the 2019 RZB Draft
14 Seasons
2025 2nd Team All Pro
2nd All Time Key Run Block - 513
2nd All Time Key Run Opportunities - 1322
3rd All Time Pancake Blocks - 79
10th All Time Games Stated - 209
1st All Time in all categories above for Tampa BayThe entire league, media and fans knew Polk would be a Buccaneer before being selected in the 2019 RZB Draft. Polk did not disappoint and the organization is honored to retire #51 going forward.
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Post by Nick on Jul 19, 2020 15:54:00 GMT -5
Owen Grayvil
RZB Hall of Fame Class of 2039
14 seasons; 1349 catches; 18,215 yards; 150 TDs; 12 straight seasons of 1,000 yards; Most playoffs receiving yards All-Time; Most playoff receiving TDs All-Time; 3 Blitz Bowl appearances; 1 Blitz Bowl ring; 1 All-League 1st Team; 4 All-League 2nd Teams; 3 time Leagues Fastest Man; And numerous Dallas Cowboys Records
Selected with the 31st pick in the 1st round of the 2026 Red Zone Blitz draft out of the University of Virginia, the Pittsburgh Steelers and their GM Trader Rob quickly realized they've found something special at the end of the first round. "We thought he'd be solid and serviceable for sure" Trader Rob recalled about Grayvil on draft day, "but we never envisioned he'd become what he did." Grayvil was raw but his potential seemed limitless. He played a supporting role his first year on the Steelers amassing under 500 yards in the air, but after a quiet rookie season he showcased his potential as a top receiver in the league when he secure his 1st 1,000 yard season at a absurd clip of 12.51 yards per target. It was around this time that the Steelers faithful began to refer to Grayvil a "The Hitman", a moniker appropriate for the WR with the killer instincts.
Grayvil was destined to go down as a Steeler great, but Trader Rob didn't get his nickname by sitting on his hands, and while Grayvil was making life hard for DBs in the AFC North, a team to their south was dreaming of pairing him with their young, talented signal caller. Only three games into the 2028 season and Grayvil was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in a mega-trade that would reset the market for WRs for more than a decade. Trader Rob, when revisiting the trade, "yes, I've thought about it multiple times. That was one of the main contributing factors that made me vow to keep Benzer and Dunn together no matter what." Together with QB Danny Antonik, Grayvil would dominate the NFC as one of the RZB's top receivers for years, but as Grayvil and company accumulated numerous wins, yards, points, and accolades, one thing eluded them. A ring. But after the heart breaking lost to the Texans in the 2031 Blitz Bowl, the Cowboys began to struggle. Antonik seemed to lose a step and, though he tried, Grayvil could not carry the team by himself and soon the team looked to send the veteran WR somewhere that would give him another chance at a ring.
Near the trade deadline of the 2033 season, Grayvil found his new team in Atlanta. Current GM of the Falcons GM Bighouserulez recalls his thoughts when Grayvil went on the market. "Grayvil was our main focal point for the Falcons to have a chance to be elite. I had him as the best single WR on a team that was a veteran. I noticed he had not dropped much and I seem to do so great with later aged WRs on trade." After long negotiated with multiple teams, the Falcons eventually emerged as a favorite and soon Grayvil had exchanged silver and blue for black and red. "I am sure MWNN will remember but I was very persistent on making sure he was going to go to Atlanta. I know we had him for a few years but he was one of the best elite single WRs i have had in my leagues as the dude would just make plays. I would say I paid a little more then I would have liked, but the value was there it was more of an emotional purchase. I knew we had a chance to succeed against the bigger teams like Seattle if I could get him lined up with Lonnie and Manning." And Wes' gamble would pay off as Gravil combined with the Altanta's other two stars in Garrison and Manning to form a three headed monster that lead them to a thrilling victory over Grayvil former team the Pittsburgh Steelers. "Grayvil was the main focal point. I had the run game with Manning but I had no true go to WR. When he went on the block it made the defenses have to play against the pass more then the run. If you go back we ran for it on 3rd down a ton more then I ever had and tried to have passing at around 60 percent focuses towards Grayvil on early downs."
Grayvil wasn't getting any younger and with younger guns ready to step in for him, Altanta contacted the Lone Star state to gauge their interest in bringing back their brightest star. After a short negotiation, Grayvil was back in the town where he'd spent most of his career and where he'd spend his last two seasons. His final game came in loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Late in the second quarter Grayvil would run a deep fade and would go down clutching his knee in the middle of the route. A torn ACL ended his final game. He would announce his retirement that off-season, spelling the end to the career of one of the RZB's greatest competitors.
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Post by Nick on Aug 26, 2020 15:59:16 GMT -5
C Willie Curtis
Class of 2041
14 seasons in the RZB 8 x All Pro 3 Superbowl Rings Willie Curtis had big shoes to fill. The Seahawks previous Center, Eric Rogers was inducted in to the Hall of Fame in 2038, 6 years after his retirement. Rogers won 5 Superbowls with Seattle, and was voted All-Pro 4 times. Willie Curtis was originally drafted by the New York Giants in 2028 12th overall. The Seahawks gave up a 1st round pick for Curtis, prior to his 2nd season. A day one starter for both the Giants and the Seahawks, he hit the ground running. In his 4th season he set the RZB KRB record with 65, 54.2% percent of his blocks. Curtis went on to become the all-time RZB leader in KRBs, surpassing Hall of Fame Center Henry Hitchcock. Curtis finished 3rd all time in pancakes. A fixture and natural leader of the Seahawks Offensive Line. Arguably he really became the best of the best in the twilight of his career. When most players begin to decline it seemed Curtis just got better. His final 3 seasons KRB totals were 57, 56 and 60. Equally his pass protection remain excellent. Curtis played in the spotlight for 14 seasons. His 99 career playoff KRBs is 1st all-time by a wide margin, and 2nd all-time in pancakes to the Seahawks Hall of Fame road grader, Greg Robinson. A star in every sense and symbol of Seahawk dominance, Willie Curtis joins the greats with a unanimous 1st ballot selection.
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