With the NFL Hall of Fame 2016 ceremony upcoming, a look at who Orlando Pace, a member of the class, is.
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The 2016 NFL Hall of Fame class is loaded with top names from NFL’s past. This includes Marvin Harrison, Kevin Greene, Eddie DeBartolo, Kenny Stabler, Brett Favre, Dick Stanfel, and Tony Dungy. A significant player from this class is also former offensive tackle Orlando Pace.
Pace was selected first overall by the St. Louis Rams in the 1997 NFL Draft. He played three years at Ohio State and was dominant for the Buckeyes, opening up holes for Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George and even finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy race in 1996.
Pace immediately stepped in as a consistent contributor for the Rams. He played 13 games in his rookie season, and all 16 games each of the next four seasons.
In 2000, Pace was part of the Rams team that defeated the Tennessee Titans to win Super Bowl XXXIV. That year also saw Pace be part of the offensive line, that helped lead to the team putting up the most passing yards in a season in NFL history.
Pace would get another opportunity at the Super Bowl in 2001, but the New England Patriots defeated the Rams.
Following this, the Ohio native would stay with the Rams through 2008. He was healthy for the majority of this time, but dealt with injuries from 2006-07, playing in just 9 games. Pace played in 14 games in 2008.
Pace spent just one year away from the Rams, as he signed with the Chicago Bears for the 2009 NFL season. He started 11 games, before getting injured and replaced as a starter. The Bears released him after the season.
He had a terrific career with the Rams. He was one of the most dominant offensive linemen during his era and is worthy of his Hall of Fame spot.
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