Fort Lauderdale, FL (My Sportsbook) - Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith were two of the seven players named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, the only first-year eligible players awarded the honor.

Joining the NFL's all-time leading receiver and leading rusher in the 2010 class, as chosen by the Hall of Fame Selection Committee, are Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, John Randle, Dick LeBeau and Floyd Little -- the latter two both senior nominees.

The original list of candidates consisted of 131 modern-era players and was whittled down to 25 semifinalists in November and 15 finalists in January, not including the two senior nominees. Each finalist had to receive a minimum vote of 80 percent to be elected.

Rice, a 13-time Pro Bowl selection in 20 seasons, holds numerous NFL receiving records by a wide margin, including receptions (1,549), yards (22,895) and touchdowns (197).

The 49ers selected Rice with 16th overall pick out of Mississippi Valley State in 1985. Over the next 16 seasons, the 6-foot-2 receiver was part of three Super Bowl championship teams in San Francisco -- winning the MVP in Super Bowl XXIII -- as the No. 1 target for Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks Joe Montana and Steve Young.

"It was hard work and appreciation for the game," an emotional Rice said when asked of his historic career. "I love this game. It was everything to me. I'm just honored to be here."

Rice parted ways with the Niners after the 2000 season and spent three-plus years with the Raiders before a forgettable 11-game stint with the Seahawks in 2004.

He finished his career ranked first in total touchdowns (208), while Smith ended with 175 total scores, good for second in the history of the league.

Smith had a similar arc to his career after he was drafted 17th overall in 1990 out of Florida by Dallas, where he won three Super Bowl rings before spending his final two seasons of his 15-year career with the Arizona Cardinals.

The 1993 league MVP is the NFL's all-time rushing leader with 18,355 yards in 15 seasons, while his 164 rushing touchdowns are 26 more than his closest competitor, LaDainian Tomlinson.

"This moment is so real," said Smith, who was selected to eight Pro Bowls during his career. "I'm living the dream. It's so special."

Grimm earned notoriety as a guard for the Washington Redskins' offensive line that was affectionately nicknamed "The Hogs."

"I was lucky enough to be on good football teams," a humble Grimm said. "I'm so excited. It's a privilege to be a part of this class."

From 1981-1991, Grimm led the 'Skins to three Super Bowl victories and was named to four Pro Bowls. He started in 114 of his 140 games played.

Jackson, who along with Grimm was a University of Pittsburgh product, was a six-time Pro Bowl selection at his linebacker position during his career with the New Orleans Saints (1981-93) and San Francisco 49ers (1994-95). He ended his career with 128 sacks, 29 fumble recoveries and eight interceptions.

Randle was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Vikings in 1990 after playing at relatively unknown Texas A&I. He developed into a fierce pass rusher and had nine seasons with 10-plus sacks.

He wound up going to seven Pro Bowls and finished with 137 1/2 sacks in his 14-year career with the Vikings (1990-2000) and Seattle Seahawks (2001-03).

LeBeau finished his playing career with 62 interceptions for 762 yards and three touchdowns, ranked third all-time at the time of his retirement. The Ohio State product was drafted by the Cleveland Browns but was cut by the club out of training camp.

He then signed with the Detroit Lions, where he spent his entire 14-year career and earned three trips to the Pro Bowl. He later became one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL, having led the Steelers to the Super Bowl title last year.

"[The Hall of Fame] was a lifelong dream. I always thought if it was meant to be, it would be," LeBeau said. "There's something to say about holding on to your dream. I'm so thrilled."

Little was the Denver Broncos' first-round draft pick in 1967 out of Syracuse, the first year of the common draft after the AFL-NFL merger agreement. He led the Broncos in rushing in each season between 1968 and 1973, topping the league in 1971 with 1,133 yards. He logged 6,323 rushing yards through his career (1967-75).

"I thought this day would never come," an ecstatic Little said. "You can't explain the emotions of this moment. I'm just truly honored."

Also a return threat, Little had over 12,000 all-purpose yards and 54 total touchdowns.

Each Hall-of-Fame class consists of between four to seven new members.