Pro Football Hall of Fame Nominee: Marshal Yanda

"When I tell my son or daughter about football [someday], I'll tell them he was one of the best guards I went up against in the league. He's got nastiness, he's physical, and he has finesse. He's strong, but if you try to beat him with a little finesse, he can handle that, too, because he's got good feet. He's got the whole package."

"When you think about who you would want as a teammate, Marshal is at the top of the list. His effort every day to be the best at his craft was amazing to watch. Every time he stepped on the field, you knew you were getting everything he had. Marshal is one of the best players in franchise history. In my mind, he truly is a certain Hall of Famer."

"From a playing standpoint, there was nobody in the league tougher. Nobody was a better drive-blocker, nobody was a better pass-blocker, nobody could pull like Marshal – he was the best at everything. From a tangible standpoint, he wasn't the biggest, he wasn't the fastest – maybe the strongest – but it's not like he was 6-foot-8, 350 pounds. But it was his desire to do his job that outweighed any physical limitations he may have had. The pride he put into his work was unmatched. Whatever he had to do, he was just going to do it, and he was going to do it well. He's the ideal player, the ideal offensive lineman, the ideal teammate and the ideal guy that you want representing your franchise."

"The toughness, work ethic and attention to detail I saw in him as a rookie were traits that helped define his career. His progression from being a leader on the line, to a leader on the offense, to THE leader of the team was a joy to watch."

"Marshal Yanda was the teammate who defined accountability. He was the part of the engine that made the offense go and was always a leader with his actions. I love Marshal Yanda. I love him for being a great man and love him for coming to play football every day."

"When I think of Marshal Yanda, I think of a blue collar, selfless player who defines what it means to 'Play Like a Raven.' He was a great teammate who challenged us to be the best we could be as a team and as individuals. I will always remember our battles on the practice field, but even more, I will remember the times talking and learning from him in the locker room."

"When I came into the league, before I played against Yanda, I was told to keep my head on a swivel, because No. 73 was always looking for more 'work.' D-ends will know what I'm talking about — the cleanup blocks and the rib shots throughout the entire game. After playing against him, I respected it because it was only between the whistles. That was his nature – to compete and do his job every play, then go see where else he could fill a void and help his team. He was a great player, competitor, opponent and pro."

"Marshal is one of the best I've ever played against. A consummate professional who gave everything he had on every play and then shook your hand with respect after the game. He was an absolute pain in the ass to play against, but he's a true competitor that I have the utmost respect and admiration for."

"One thing about Marshal, on Sunday, is you didn't have to worry about him being ready to play. Every Sunday he was ready to go, he brought the energy, and he brought the competitive nature to our locker room. He's just a true warrior, a true dog that you want to be out on the field with. You don't want to play against him, but you want to suit up with him. That's for sure."

"One thing that makes the Ravens special and different than most teams is that they have a stereotypical player that they're always looking for and never deviate from: tough, smart, good guys, football guys. That's the recipe and the personality you must have to be a Raven. There is a long h istory of guys that fit that mold, and Marshal is near the top of that list."

"Marshal dominated the guard position for over a decade in the NFL. I enjoyed competing against him because of the way he played the game: tough, smart and physical."

"When preparing for an upcoming game, I always looked to see if the Ravens had played the team we were going against so I could watch Marshal and see how one of the best to ever do it at the guard position did his job on every single play. He consistently played at a high level."

"Over my career, playing against Marshal Yanda was one of the best and most competitive experiences I have had. It's him and a handful of other offensive linemen that I keep track of, that are talented enough for me to always keep them on my radar. Yanda is one of those guys. Playing against him upped my game, because I understand that when you go into those games, you have to bring your lunch pail and your hardhat. That guy is going to come to work. If it's pass blocking or run blocking, he's got it all. You better have your 'A' game ready, because if not, he's going to embarrass you. ... You better be thinking going into those games, 'Hey, no slacking today,' because you know you're playing against a true competitor. Sometimes you go into a game like, 'I know I can wear this guy down. He's going to quit.' But no, not with Yanda. He's a guy that's going to fight all four quarters."

"Marshal is a great player whom I have a lot of respect for and enjoyed gearing up for. From everything I have heard about him, Marshal was a tireless athlete, which was definitely reflected on the field. I never saw him quit."

"I've known and respected Marshal for a long time. Our careers had a lot of overlap, starting with our days in the Big Ten and then in the AFC North. I always admired his toughness and work ethic. He played at an extremely high level for a long period of time and left everything on the field. He is one of the best to ever do it. He earned so many awards and honors over the years, and I think the next one should be an induction in Canton, Ohio, at the Pro Football Hall of Fame."