NFL Legend Richard Dent Honored as “Hometown Hall of Famer” at Crim

On March 27^th, Crim Open Campus High School welcomed Pro Football Legend Richard Dent as he was honored as a “Hometown Hall of Famer.” The Pro Football Hall of Fame presented Richard Dent with a historical plaque in his hometown. He was recognized by representatives of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Allstate Insurance Company, and the Atlanta community in this special ceremony. The “Hometown Hall of Famers” program is presented by Allstate insurance Company, and honors the roots of the players’ great careers and promotes the positive values of the sport.

The program included special remarks and presentations by:

• SiMan Baby, Magic 107.5 Radio
• Vince Green, Allstate Insurance Company
• Brock Richards, Pro Football Hall of Fame Enterprises
• Henry Adams, Murphy High School’s Former Football Coach
• Richard Dent, NFL Hall of Famer
• Natalyn Mosby Archibong, 5^th District Atlanta City Councilwoman
• Saundra Windom, Principal of Crim Open Campus

Students from Crim’s graphic arts department presented Dent with a beautiful royal blue pillow that was embroidered with his name and his graduation year from Murphy High School. The engineering and technology students also created a lithograph with photos highlighting his years in high school, college, and NFL career. “These are given to him as tokens to commemorate this special day,” says Principal Windom. “This was truly an unforgettable day for all of us.”

Atlanta City Councilwoman Natalyn Archibong announced that March 27, 2013, is proclaimed as “Richard Dent Day” in the city of Atlanta.

Dent graduated from Murphy High School in 1978, which is now Alonzo A. Crim High School. He attended Tennessee State University, and was the Chicago Bears’ eighth round pick in the 1983 NFL Draft. In Dent’s second year with the Bears, he recorded a team record and career high of 17.5 sacks, which was also the most of any defender in the NFC. It also marked the first of eight times over the next 10 seasons that he recorded double-digit sack totals. The four-time Pro Bowl honoree was named Super Bowl MVP for his dominating performance against the New England Patriots in the Bears’ decisive 46-10 victory in Super Bowl XX.

Dent was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. There have been only 273 members inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame from the more than 21,000 athletes who have played for the NFL.