Pro Football Hall of Fame 2016: Owner Edward DeBartolo, Jr.

For the second consecutive year, the Pro Football Hall of Fame will welcome eight new members. Here we take a look at former San Francisco 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo, Jr.

The first weekend in August is always a special time for football fans. Training camps are in full swing, the preseason kicks off and there’s hope for all 32 NFL teams.

There is also a little event called the Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony. It celebrates the accomplishments of the men who have made this a great game, be it as a player, coach or administrator.

For the second straight year, there are eight legends in the class. The proud city of Canton, Ohio welcomes owner Edward DeBartolo, Jr., coach Tony Dungy, quarterback Brett Favre, linebacker/defensive end Kevin Greene, wide receiver Marvin Harrison, tackle Orlando Pace, quarterback Ken Stabler and guard Dick Stanfel.

We will take a look at the magnificent careers of each of these men as each receives the ultimate honor when it comes to their place in football history.

3 Nov 1985: San Francisco 49ers head coach Bill Walsh looks on during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won the game, 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Tony Duffy /Allsport /

First on the docket is Eddie DeBartolo, who as the owner of the San Francisco 49ers for 24 years. The Youngstown, Ohio native purchased the team in 1977. In consecutive seasons in 1978 and ’79, the team suffered through 2-14 showings. That second year, the team was led by new head coach Bill Walsh. He would triple the team’s victory total one season later (6-10).

It was the beginning of quite a run. The 13-3 49ers stunned the football world by going onto win Super Bowl XVI over the equally-surprising Cincinnati Bengals. After a down year in ’82 due in part to the player strike (the Niners finished 3-6), the franchise would reel off 16 consecutive showings of 10 or more wins, reaching and winning four more Super Bowls over that span (1983-98).

Walsh would walk away with two more Lombardi trophies and successor George Seifert would also win two titles.

Thanks to the former’s eye for talent, the team drafted future Hall of Famers such as Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Charles Haley and Ronnie Lott. Walsh also traded for quarterback Steve Young, whose bust also resides in Canton.

The steadying force was DeBartolo, who watched his club adopt to free agency in 1993 and opened up his wallet in 1994, when the club added veterans such as Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders and linebacker Ken Norton Jr. Those moves would help result in the team’s 49-26 win in Super Bowl XXIX, making the Niners the first club to win five Lombardis.

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DeBartolo was always heralded as an owner who treated his players and their family well. He’s an excellent addition to the Hall of Fame and a major contributor to one of the league’s great dynasties. The respected executive made an impact around the league in many regards.

Additional bio link courtesy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame website

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