Mawae, Robinson Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame
ATLANTA — LSU center Kevin Mawae and safety Johnny Robinson were elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2019, it was announced Saturday evening.
The pair became the fourth and fifth LSU players to earn the prestigious honor, joining fullback Jim Taylor (1976), quarterback Y.A. Tittle (1971) and halfback Steve Van Buren (1965). LSU ranks second in the Southeastern Conference with five players in the hall of fame. Only one other school has more than three.
Tight end Tony Gonzalez, defensive backs Champ Bailey and Ty Law, and contributor inductees Pat Bowlen and Gil Brandt comprised the rest of the eight-man class selected by a 48-person committee on Saturday.
The Class of 2019 will be formally enshrined in Canton on Aug. 3, 2019. The ceremony is nationally televised by NFL Network and ESPN.
Mawae, the 16-year center in the NFL, was selected on his third Modern-Era final ballot in his fifth year of eligibility. He was named to eight All-Pro teams, and eight Pro Bowls during his career while playing in 241 career games.
In August of 2018, Robinson was selected as the seniors finalist for the Class of 2019 in Canton, Ohio. The seniors committee is comprised of nine members of the Hall of Fame’s selection committee who consider players whose careers ended at least 25 years ago.
Robinson was an all-state football, tennis and basketball player at University High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He committed to LSU, where his father was the longtime tennis coach. An integral part of the backfield that led LSU to the 1958 national title, Robinson also won the SEC tennis championship in singles and the SEC doubles championship with his brother while at LSU.
Robinson was the first-round draft selection of the AFL’s Dallas Texans in 1960. He remained with the team for his entire career, staying with them when they moved to Kansas City to become the Chiefs. He was a six-time first team All-Pro selection and is one of only two players to lead both the AFL and NFL in interceptions.
In 1980, he founded the Johnny Robinson Boy’s Home in Monroe, Louisiana. The home, which he still manages today, provides a versatile community-based alternative to traditional juvenile placement.
Former Tiger offensive lineman Alan Faneca was also among the 15-man list of hall of fame finalists for the fourth time. Faneca advanced through the first cut to 10 finalists.
The Hall of Fame’s membership, including the newly elected Class of 2019, stands at 326.
(Bio Info from NFL)
KEVIN MAWAE
Center … 6-4, 289 … LSU … 1994-97 Seattle Seahawks, 1998-2005 New York Jets, 2006-09 Tennessee Titans
16 seasons, 241 games … Selected by Seahawks in 2nd round (36th player overall) in 1994 NFL Draft … Spent majority of college career as tackle before moving to center during senior year … Played in 14 games, and started 11 games during rookie season with Seahawks … Named to NFL’s All-Rookie Team … Played at right guard first two pro seasons, moved permanently to center, 1996 … Noted for leadership and steady play … Helped Jets to division title and championship game appearance in first season in New York, 1998 … Anchored steady Jets offensive line that led way for 44 100-yard games and seven 1,000-yard seasons by Hall of Fame running back Curtis Martin … Blocked for 1,000-yard rusher in 13 of his 16 seasons and five different running backs (Chris Warren, 2; Martin, 7; Travis Henry, 1; LenDale White, 1; and Chris Johnson, 2) … Capped career with Pro Bowl season by paving way for 2,000-yard performance by Johnson … Named All-Pro six times (1999-2002, 2004, and 2008) … Voted to eight Pro Bowls including his final two seasons … Selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s … Born Jan. 23, 1971 in Savannah, Georgia.
JOHNNY ROBINSON
Safety… 6-1, 205 … LSU … 1960-1971 Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs
12 seasons, 164 games … Selected in first round of 1960 AFL Draft by Texans and 3rd overall in the 1960 NFL Draft by Detroit Lions … Utilized by Texans as running back first two seasons … Moved to defense in third season, responded with 4 interceptions … Recorded multiple interceptions each season after moving to safety … Single-season best 10 interceptions in 1966 (led AFL) and 1970 (led NFL) … Lone career pick-six came on 29-yard interception return vs. Boston Patriots, Sept. 25, 1966 … Helped team to four division titles … Played in three AFL championship game victories … Started in two Super Bowls … Recorded two tackles, one fumble recovery and intercepted one pass for nine yards in Chiefs’ 23-7 win over Minnesota Vikings, Super Bowl IV … Named All-AFL five straight seasons (1965-69), All-Pro, 1969 and All-NFL, 1970 … Voted to AFL All-Star Game six times, Pro Bowl once … Named to AFL’s All-Time Team … Intercepted 57 career interceptions, returned for 741 yards and 1 TD …Also gained 658 rushing yards, 6 TDs; 77 catches for 1,228 yards, 9 TDs; 21 punt returns for 272 yards, 1 TD; and 3 kickoff returns for 54 yards … Scored one TD on fumble return (46 yards vs. Baltimore Colts on Monday Night Football, Sept. 28, 1970) … Born Sept. 9, 1938 in Delhi, Louisiana.