Broncos great Terrell Davis elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame

HOUSTON — After years of futility in terms of earning a gold jacket and a bust in Canton, Ohio, former Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis is finally a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Davis will become the fifth Denver player to make the Hall of Fame, joining John Elway, Gary Zimmerman, Floyd Little, and Shannon Sharpe, as first reported by 9News Broncos Insider Mike Klis.

Some surprises in new HoF class. A pleasant one for Broncos: Terrell Davis is a Hall of Famer, per source w/knowledge of HoF class. #9sports

— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) February 5, 2017

The Hall of Fame committee also elected San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson in his first year of eligibility, making it the first time since 1977 that two running backs have made the same class.

The remainder of the class includes Kurt Warner, Kenny Easley, Jason Taylor, Morten Andersen, and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

The uphill battle for Davis’ enshrinement surrounded his short but brilliant career in Denver. A sixth-round pick in 1995, “TD” arguably had the best four-year span to start out a career.

In 1996, Davis claimed the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award. The following season, he helped fellow Hall of Famer John Elway and the Broncos to the franchise’s first Super Bowl championship in 1997 — and it’s second in 1998.

Davis would become a member of the exclusive 2,000 club in 1998 also, rushing for 2,008 yards at a clip of 125.5 yards per game, along with being named Offensive Player of the Year again and the league’s MVP.

He’d end up being named to three first-team All-Pro squads in a row (1996-1998) — along with three Pro Bowls in the same years — and named to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team and the Broncos 50^th Anniversary teams.

Earlier this week, Davis told Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan’s “Schlereth and Evans” that he was optimistic and excited about the prospects of being elected to the Hall of Fame.

“Over the last three years, you could sense there’s a little bit more people coming on board from what I’m hearing I guess,” Davis said. “So, I can kind of feel like it’s getting closer.”

A number of Broncos players, both current and former, took to social media to express their congratulations to Davis on his election.

Congrats, @Terrell_Davis, on your selection to the @ProFootballHOF!! Couldn’t have happened to a better teammate, player or person!! pic.twitter.com/3gA0IH334C

— John Elway (@johnelway) February 5, 2017

So happy for my brother @Terrell_Davis on his HOF induction! Very proud of you  rook!

— mark schlereth (@markschlereth) February 5, 2017

OK @Terrell_Davis!!! HOF 2017!!! Well deserved!!! Congrats!!!

— AqibTalib21 (@AqibTalib21) February 5, 2017

Congrats to my former tmmate and my new @ProFootballHOF tmmate @Terrell_Davis. Congrats Ju pic.twitter.com/AiPELoDTnF

— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) February 5, 2017

A huge Mile High Salute to my friend/teammate @Terrell_Davis – on his way to the @ProFootballHOF ! So deserves to be among the greats! pic.twitter.com/WY0UbuTKmo

— Ed McCaffrey (@87ed) February 5, 2017

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.