Redskins linebacker Chris Hanburger and Rams linebacker Les Richter have been named the senior nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2011.
Hanburger and Richter were selected today by five members of the Seniors Committee, and will be voted on by the full Hall of Fame Selection Committee on the day before the Super Bowl. Senior nominees must have been retired for at least 25 years.
“I’m thrilled to death and I appreciate it very, very much,” said Hanburger, who played for the Redskins from 1965 to 1978 and was a four-time All-Pro.
Richter was selected second overall by the New York Yanks in 1952. After serving two years in the military, he was traded to the Rams by the Dallas Texans, who had acquired Richter’s rights when the Yanks folded. The Rams gave up 11 players to acquire Richter, and he rewarded the team by playing nine seasons and making eight Pro Bowls.
Richter died on June 12, 2010 at the age of 79.