Indy Dave Posted November 4, 2004 Posted November 4, 2004 Second Bill inducted in the last three years (Andre in 2002). FLORENCE, Ala. -- One of the all-time greats of NCAA Division II football who helped lead his school to two National Championships at Florence's Braly Stadium , will be honored on December 10 as the fourteenth inductee into the Division II Football Hall of Fame in Florence, Ala. Former North Dakota State University defensive lineman Phil Hansen, who went on to play 11 seasons in the National Football League with the Buffalo Bills, will be the lone inductee for 2004 into the Division II Football Hall of Fame. Hansen was chosen by a 20-member selection committee and the selection was announced Tuesday by Division II Football Hall of Fame voting coordinator Dee Corum. Hansen will be inducted on December 10 as part of a combined Harlon Hill Trophy and Division II Football Hall of Fame Banquet at 6:30 p.m. at the Florence Conference Center. The initial class of inductees in 1999 included running back Johnny Bailey of Texas A&I (now Texas A&M-Kingsville), quarterback Jeff Bentrim of North Dakota State and the late Walter Payton of Jackson State University. In 2000, defensive lineman Harry Carson of South Carolina State University, defensive lineman Pierce Holt of Angelo State University, and wide receiver John Stallworth of Alabama A&M were inducted. In 2001 the third class was comprised of tight end Brent Jones of Santa Clara University, linebacker Greg Lloyd of Fort Valley State University and quarterback Ken O'Brien of the University of California-Davis. Quarterback Scott Brunner of Delaware, receiver Andre Reed of Kutztown and linebacker Jessie Tuggle of Valdosta State comprised the 2002 class. Former Texas A&M-Kingsville and Washington Redskins standout Darrell Green was inducted in 2003, bringing the total number of inductees to 13. The Division II Football Hall of Fame is housed at Braly Municipal Stadium, which has hosted the Division II Football Championship Game since 1986. The 32nd annual Division II Football Championship Game will be played at Braly Stadium at 3 p.m. on December 11, 2004, and the Harlon Hill Trophy presentation to the Division II Player of the Year, and the Hall of Fame inductions are part of the Shoals area's championship week activities. The Division II Football Hall of Fame is sponsored by Coca-Cola, The City of Florence and Trustmark Construction. Tickets are $35 each or $280 for a table of eight and are available by calling Larry Tinknel at (256) 764-4661 or the UNA Sports Information Office at (256) 765-4595. Hansen was the anchor of a solid defensive unit at North Dakota State for three seasons and was a two-time first-team All-American pick. He tied a school record for career quarterback sacks with 41 in regular season play and set a school mark with 32 career pass break-ups. He started on NCAA Division II National Championship teams in 1988 and 1990 and was twice named All-North Central Conference and Most Valuable Player in the league. He played in three All-Star games following his college career including the East-West Shrine, the Blue-Gray, and the All-American Classic. He was also the top vote-getter on the defensive line on the NCAA Division II "Team of the Quarter Century". A second round draft pick by the Buffalo Bills, Hansen was a starter for the Bills beginning early in his rookie season. He played on three Super Bowl teams with the Bills, was a member of the NFL All-Rookie team in 1991, and was first or second in sacks with the Bills for several seasons. His 11-year NFL career included playing in 156 games with 149 starts. He made 870 total tackles with 597 solo and 273 assists. He had 61.5 sacks for 343 yards in losses, 10 caused fumbles, one interception and 135 quarterback pressures.
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