Longtime Redskins linebacker Chris Hansburger has been confirmed as a senior entrant into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and as you'd expect, he's excited to receive the honor. He spoke with redskins.com about his selection.
"I know it's a very difficult thing to get in, to even be nominated. But I was totally shocked when I got the call saying that I had been nominated, and it's just a tremendous honor. I'm thrilled to death with it. I do know that there have been a lot of folks working in the background, which I greatly appreciate. I'm just thrilled to death."
Hanburger will be traveling to Dallas via Dan Snyder's personal private jet to watch the Super Bowl tomorrow. This year's inductees will also be honored and announced at the game.
Redskins general manager Bruce Allen is the son of George Allen, who coached Hanburger in the 1970s. Allen might know better than any other current member of the Redskins organization how important Hanburger was to the team.
"Today’s media applauds Peyton Manning and Tom Brady for being able to run the offense and audible and check. Well, Chris Hanburger did that in the 70s. He not only called [audibles] on his own, he had over 100 audibles each game that he had to manage.
"One of the reasons we were so successful was our defense, because Chris managed it no different than quarterbacks do today. That type of field general should be recognized for his contribution."