On Tuesday, the Modern-Era nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2018 were announced. The list included four former Rams' standouts: wide receiver Isaac Bruce, head coach Dick Vermeil, wide receiver Torry Holt, and wide receiver Henry Ellard.
The roster of nominees consists of 53 offensive players, 38 defensive players, five special teams players and 12 coaches. The list will be reduced to 25 semifinalists in November and 15 finalists in January. From there, those 15 will be presented to the 48-member Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee during its annual meeting on "Selection Sunday," the day before Super Bowl LII.
Bruce was drafted in the 2nd round by the Los Angeles Rams in 1994. During his 13 seasons with the Rams, Bruce broke the NFL record for receiving yards in 1996 recording 1,338 yards in 16 games. He was also a four-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl Champion in 2000. Two seasons later, Bruce became the team's all-time leader in receptions, posting his fourth-consecutive 1,000 yard season.
Vermeil joined the Rams in 1997. Though his first two seasons with the team were a bit lackluster, with records of 5-11 and 4-12, in 1999 Vermeil led the Rams to their first ever Super Bowl victory following the 1999 season. Under Vermeil, and led by Hall of Famer Kurt Warner, the team defeated the Titans with a score of 23-16. He was named NFL Coach of the Year for the second time that season before moving to Kansas City in 2001.
Holt is another former Rams receiver named to the nominee list. Holt was the sixth overall draft pick in the 1999 Draft. In his rookie year alone, Holt posted 52 receptions, 788 total yards, and six touchdowns during the Rams' Super Bowl-winning season. From that season forward, Holt became an integral member of the Rams' team dubbed "The Greatest Show on Turf." His career also includes seven Pro Bowls and he currently ranks among the top ten active leaders in receiving yards.
Ellard joined the Rams in 1983 after being drafted in the second round. During his time with Los Angeles, he was known for his superior skills as a route runner. In 11 seasons, he went to three Pro Bowls, as both a punt returner and wide receiver. During his 21 year career, Ellard amassed 15,718 total yards.
Defensive tackle La'Roi Glover, who played three seasons with the Rams, was also named to the Modern-Era nominees list.
The final Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2018 will be elected on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018.
