Former Falcons defensive end and current Ring of Honor member Claude Humphrey has been named to the 2014 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a Senior Committee selection, the NFL announced Saturday night.
Humphrey, the Falcons' all-time sack leader, joins Michael Strahan, Derrick Brooks, Walter Jones, Aeneas Williams, Andre Reed and Ray Guy as members of the 2014 inductee class.
"Throughout his 10-year career in Atlanta, Claude Humphrey was considered one of the most dominant pass rushers of his time and holds the club's all-time sacks record with 94.5," Falcons Owner and Chairman Arthur Blank said. "Claude was what many offensive coaches called a 'game-wrecker' based on his ability to disrupt enemy offenses. He was voted to the Pro Bowl six times during his NFL career and his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame – in my opinion – is long overdue.
"On behalf of Falcons fans and the entire Falcons organization, we congratulate Claude Humphrey on today's induction. He becomes the second player drafted by the Falcons to be voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining Deion Sanders in 2011, and we couldn't be more proud of him."
Humphrey was selected by the Falcons in the first round — third overall — in the 1968 NFL Draft. He played 127 career games in a Falcons uniform while totaling those 94.5 sacks, two interceptions, 11 fumble recoveries and one touchdown.
He was selected as the 1968 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and earned six Pro Bowl honors in his career, which is tied with Jeff Van Note for most in franchise history. His five consecutive Pro Bowl appearances is tied for first in team annals with Keith Brooking and Mike Kenn.
A Memphis, Tenn., native, Humphrey is a member of both the Georgia Hall of Fame and the Tennessee Hall of Fame. Humphrey played his college ball at Tennessee State, where his number was retired as a member of the school's hall of fame.
