George, Anderson First Year Hall of Fame Nominees

Staff Report September 19, 2009

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its nominees for the Class of 2010 Saturday and it includes two first-year Titans candidates: running back Eddie George and kicker Gary Anderson.

George and Anderson, who played major parts in the Titans playoff win at Baltimore in January, 2004, joined five other players eligible for the first time: quarterback Rich Gannon, running back Emmitt Smith, wide receivers Tim Brown and Jerry Rice, as well as defensive Back Aeneas Williams.

George played for the franchise from 1996 to 2003, when he left to go to Dallas for the final season in his career. He finished with 10,441 rushing yards, just outside the league's top 20 rankings. All but 432 yards came with the Oilers and Titans, making George the all-time rushing leader in franchise history. The Ohio State product tallied 36 100-yard days as a Titans, second behind Earl Campbell in franchise history. In those games, the Titans finished 30-6. His 216-yard performance against the Raiders in August, 1997, the franchise's first game in the mid south, stands as the franchise record for rushing yards in a gamem tied with Billy Cannon.

The Titans inducted George into the team's Ring of Honor last October.

Anderson finished his 23-year NFL career with 2,434 total points, behind only Morten Anderson in the NFL record book. He spent the majority of his career with the Steelers before moving to Philadelphia, San Francisco and Minnesota. During the 1998 regular season, Anderson converted on all his field goals and extra points, but missed on a field goal in the NFC Championship game between the Vikings and Falcons.

His two years with the Titans came after injuries hit Joe Nedney in the 2003 and 2004 seasons. Anderson converted on 87.1 percent of his field goals during the 2003 season, third best in franchise history.

Saturday's announcement included several other nominees with Titans connections, led by Titans Owner Bud Adams. Adams made the list as a contributor.

Tight end Frank Wycheck, punter Reggie Roby, and longtime Oilers coach Bum Phillips were also included on the list.

A total of 131 players, coaches and contributors made up Saturday's list of nominees for the Hall of Fame. In November, the Hall of Fame selectors will choose 25 candidates who will advance as semifinalist nominees. That list will be reduced to 15 in early January. The Class of 2010 will be announced February 6, prior to the Super Bowl.