Randall Cunningham heads 15 inductees into Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
This years class includes Ron Jaworski of the Eagles, the Phillies Granny Hamner and Bob Boone, and Flyers great Tim Kerr.
The Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2017 inductees on Thursday, with Eagles Hall of Fame quarterback Randall Cunningham highlighting this year's group.
Cunningham played 11 seasons for the Eagles from 1985-95, ranking third in franchise history with 22,877 passing yards and 150 passing touchdowns. The 3-time Eagles Pro-Bowler was inducted into the Eagles' Hall of Fame in 2009.
Another Eagles quarterback was also inducted this year – Ron Jaworski (1977-86), who ranks second among Philadelphia quarterbacks in completions, passing yards, and touchdowns.
The 15-member class also features Phillies infielder Granny Hamner (1944-59) and 1980 World Series champion catcher Bob Boone (1972-81). Boone, a three-time All-Star with the Phillies, has also been enshrined in the Philadelphia Baseball Hall of Fame.
Flyers legend Tim Kerr (1980-91) is also among this year's inductees. Kerr ranks third in team history with 363 career goals, and leads the Philadelphia franchise all-time with 145 power-play goals.
Last season's class featured the 1966-67 champion Philadelphia 76ers, but no Sixers are represented in 2017.
Instead, Philadelphia natives Ray Scott and Mike Bantom were inducted. Bantom, a Roman Catholic grad, is considered as one of St. Joseph's basketball greats -- earning Big 5 Hall of Fame honors in 1979.
Area natives inducted include Rene Portland, a Villa Maria graduate that helped the famous 1972-74 Immaculata Mighty Macs to three national championships. Portland also coached 30 seasons of Division I women's basketball at Colorado, St. Joseph's, and Penn State.
Twentieth-century boxer "Philadelphia" Jack O'Brien and U.S. Rowing Hall of Famer John B. Kelly Jr. will also be inducted this fall.
The Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame is also recognizing the Army-Navy Game by establishing the rivalry as a special enshrinement. Out of 117 games, 86 have been played in Philadelphia. Lincoln Financial Field is hosting the game again this season.
Inductees:
Andrea Kremer
Bob Boone
Bob Johnson
Donald Hunt
Granny Hamner
Irene Guest
John "Jack" Kelly Jr
Mike Bantom
"Philadelphia" Jack O'Brien
Randall Cunningham
Ray Scott
Rene Portland
Ron Jaworski
Tim Kerr
Army-Navy Game – Special Enshrinement