Steve Hutchinson to be enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020 has been announced, and another player with prominent ties to the Minnesota Vikings has been selected for immortality.

On Saturday, former Vikings’ offensive lineman Steve Hutchinson was informed that he will be going to Canton as part of the next Hall of Fame class. He is one of five “modern day” players that will be going into the Hall in August, along with two coaches, ten senior inductees (part of the NFL’s honoring of their 100th season) and three contributors.

Hutchinson was originally drafted by the Seattle Seahawks with the 17th overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft. He spent his first five seasons in Seattle, and came to the Vikings before the start of the 2006 season on the infamous “Poison Pill” contract. Hutchinson then played for the Vikings for six seasons, and played one final season for the Tennessee Titans in 2012 before hanging up his cleats.

Hutchinson had an incredibly impressive career. He made seven consecutive Pro Bowls, making the team every year from 2003 to 2009. He was a five-time First-Team All-Pro, and garnered Second-Team honors twice.

The other four modern-day inductees to join Hutchinson in this year’s class are former Steelers’ safety Troy Polamalu, former St. Louis Rams’ wide receiver Torry Holt, former Indianapolis Colts’ running back Edgerrin James, and former Denver Broncos’ safety Steve Atwater. Holt and Polamalu both made it in on their first try on the ballot. This was James’ fourth time as a finalist, while both Atwater and Hutchinson made it on their third tries.

This year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony will take place on 8 August in Canton, Ohio.

Congratulations to Steve Hutchinson and the rest of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020!