Orlando Pace was arguably the best offensive lineman of all time, so it's hardly a surprise he was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame on Saturday night.
Pace played 13 seasons in the NFL — 12 of which came with the St. Louis Rams — and was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and a Super Bowl champion in 1999. Before that, however, he starred as the left tackle for Ohio State as a two-time All-American.
Pace becomes the eighth former Ohio State player and 11th Buckeye overall to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Only USC and Notre Dame, with 12 each, have more players and coaches enshrined in Canton.
His former coach in Columbus, John Cooper, summed up his greatness, saying, “Orlando Pace is not only the best offensive lineman I have ever coached, but he is the best I have ever seen.”
On Friday night, he led the crowd in an OH-IO cheer when he was presented with his gold jacket.
| Individual | Position | Class | Years at Ohio State |
|---|---|---|---|
| ORLANDO PACE | OFFENSIVE TACKLE | 2016 | 1994-96 |
| CRIS CARTER | WIDE RECEIVER | 2013 | 1984-86 |
| ED SABOL | CONTRIBUTOR | 2011 | MID 1930s |
| DICK LEBEAU | CORNERBACK | 2010 | 1956-58 |
| PAUL WARFIELD | WIDE RECEIVER | 1993 | 1961-63 |
| SID GILLMAN | COACH | 1983 | 1938-40 |
| BILL WILLIS | GUARD | 1977 | 1942-44 |
| DANTE LAVELLI | END | 1975 | 1942 |
| LOU GROZA | KICKER | 1974 | 1943 |
| JIM PARKER | GUARD/TACKLE | 1973 | 1954-56 |
| PAUL BROWN | COACH | 1967 | 1941-43 |
