Fred Dean elected to Hall of Fame

by Nosetackle Supreme on Feb 3, 2008 7:14 PM PST

I'm surprised no one posted this already, but Dean finally made it. He certainly deserved it. He should go in as a 49er.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/03/SP7GUR8L6.DTL

Unfortunately, also, he has fallen on hard times.

After 18 years of consideration by the Hall of Fame board of selectors and in his second year as a finalist, 49ers defensive end Fred Dean finally received his due Saturday as one of the NFL's most innovative and game-changing pass rushers. He was among the six players voted into the Class of 2008.

Dean, the four-time Pro Bowler (1980-'82, '84) and two-time All-Pro (1980-'81), joins two Redskins, wide receiver Art Monk and cornerback Darrell Green; Patriots linebacker Andre Tippett; Vikings and Broncos tackle Gary Zimmerman; and one of two senior committee choices, Chiefs cornerback Emmitt Thomas.

When Dean, 55, learned the news, he was watching a basketball game on television at his home in Ruston, La., and noticed a bulletin scroll across the screen confirming his selection. Dean and his family quickly turned on the live broadcast of the announcement on the NFL Network.

He had almost lost hope this day would come. Dean's fortune and health have been in decline since his retirement from the NFL in 1985. He has been forced to sell his two 49ers Super Bowl rings to pay mounting medical bills.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.

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The biggest tragedy of the NFL

Is it's complete and total lack of medical coverage for retired players. These guys absolutely destroy themselves for the league, strip away years of their lives and in many cases ruin their long term quality of life to chronic knee, elbow, back, shoulder, and - worse - brain trauma. And so many of these guys lose everything they made from the league paying for the damage they took making it.

I think it is a tragedy, and it's a much, much bigger problem than we ever see, especially for older generations - generations of great players who were lucky to make as much in a career as some players make in a year today.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over.

by howtheyscored on Feb 4, 2008 12:08 PM PST reply actions