HOUSTON — Terrell Davis: Broncos’ all-time leading rusher, Broncos Ring of Famer and now finally, Pro Football Hall of Famer.

In his third year as a finalist, Davis was selected to the Hall’s Class of 2017 on Saturday, joining fellow former running back LaDainian Tomlinson, quarterback Kurt Warner, defensive end Jason Taylor and kicker Morten Andersen, plus senior inductee Kenny Easley and contributor Jerry Jones as the newest members.

“I felt that it was getting close, but the one caveat was (Tomlinson) being in the same class,” Davis said, his eyes bloodshot after an emotional evening. “I knew he was going in so I really thought there’s no way they’re putting in two backs in the same class, especially a guy who’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer versus a special-circumstance guy, like me. I thought that’s what they saw me as. So when I got the knock, obviously I was shocked.”

Davis is the fifth Bronco to be elected, after former quarterback turned general manager John Elway (inducted in 2004), tackle Gary Zimmerman (2008), running back Floyd Little (2010) and tight end Shannon Sharpe (2011).

Since Davis first became eligible for the Hall of Fame, in 2007, he was stuck on the waiting list, making it to the semifinal round eight years before the Hall teased him more by voting him to the final round the past three years.

“I can smell it, but I can’t taste them,” he’s said in the past, likening the process to being shut outside a doughnut shop. Related Articles February 2, 2017 Terrell Davis awaits latest Hall of Fame decision with cautious optimism

January 3, 2017 Terrell Davis, John Lynch, Brian Dawkins selected as Hall of Fame finalists

Close, but not close enough.

His first time as a finalist, in 2015 in Phoenix, Davis awaited the no-knock alone, without family or friends by his side as he awaited the outcome of selection Saturday.

“I knew it wasn’t going to happen that fast,” he said. “I knew I wasn’t going to go from a semifinalist and then a finalist and, same year, they let you take the next step.”

The second time around as a finalist, in San Francisco, he was joined by his father-in-law, his brother and friends, all believing the 10th try might gain him entry.

“After that year you start to hear and feel a little more excitement about it,” Davis said. “More people talking about it, asking me questions about it.”

This year, his wife and children joined him to share the euphoria and the moment he could only dream about before. After the nearly nine-hour debate in downtown Houston by the Hall’s 48-person selection committee, Davis finally got the knock on the hotel door he’s long awaited.

“I kept reminding myself that tomorrow, at the same time, my life could be different,” he said. “But I also reminded myself that it could be itself. I’m ecstatic. I can’t express how I actually feel.”

Davis retired a Bronco lifer in 2002 having checked all the Hall of Fame boxes but one.

He sits atop the Broncos’ record book with 7,607 rushing yards and 60 rushing touchdowns, among many other franchise marks.

He has Super Bowl rings — two of them.

He has three Pro Bowl and three all-pro selections.

He has an NFL MVP award, won in 1998 after rushing for 2,008 yards, and he has a Super Bowl MVP award, won by rushing for 157 yards and three touchdowns while fighting a migraine in the Broncos’ Super Bowl XXXII victory over Green Bay.

And he had seven consecutive playoff games with at least 100 rushing yards, when he played in only eight. That lone double-digit playoff game produced 91 yards.

“Terrell’s selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame couldn’t have happened to a better player or a better guy,” Elway said, via the team’s website. “He was an integral part of our championship run in the late ’90s, and I am so happy for him to now join the all-time greats in Canton. It’s a tremendous honor for ‘T.D.’ and one that is very much deserved. It’s nice to see the players who have been so great for the Broncos get the recognition that is due to them.”

On the biggest stages, Davis put on his finest performances.

But on every stage, he played as if it were his last time in the spotlight.

John Leyba, The Denver Post Terrell Davis against the Seahawks in 1995.

Denver Post file Denver Broncos Terrell Davis looks for a block in the 2nd quarter at the new Mile High stadium in 2001.

Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post Super Bowl MVP Terrell Davis holds the Vince Lombardi trophy at Civic Center on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 1998 in Denver.



Cyrus McCrimmon, The Denver Post Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis around the pool table in the basement of his neo-classical style home that is up for sell for $2.85 million. The home in the Chenango neighborhood near Arapahoe Road and Parker Road features stunning views of the front range. It offer 5 bedrooms and 9 baths on a 1.8 acre lot.

Cyrus McCrimmon, The Denver Post Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis on the deck off of his bedroom of his neo-classical style home that is up for sell for $2.85 million. The home in the Chenango neighborhood near Arapahoe Road and Parker Road features stunning views of the front range. It offer 5 bedrooms and 9 baths on a 1.8 acre lot.

Karl Gehring, The Denver Post Denver Broncos Terrell Davis runs for a big gain against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter of their AFC playoff game at Mile High Stadium in Denver on Jan. 9, 1999.



John Leyba, The Denver Post Denver Broncos Terrell Davis makes a nice gain as Ray Buchanan covers for the Atalanta Falcons during the first quarter of Super Bowl XXXIII at Pro Player Stadium, Jan. 31, 1999.

Cyrus McCrimmon, The Denver Post Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis stretches out during the warmups before practice at the Broncos training complex at Dove Valley.

Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post Denver Broncos Terrell Davis controls the ball against Oakland Raiders defense in the 1st quarter at Denver on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2002.



Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post Broncos Terrell Davis holds up the Vince Lombardi trophy on the stage of Super Bowl Champion rally at Civic Center on Monday.

Karl Gehring, The Denver Pos Denver running back Terrell Davis hosted his own charity golf tournament Monday at Lone Tree Golf Club. Davis was joined by more than 30 Broncos coaches and teammates. Money raised goes to the Terrell Davis Salutes the Kids Foundation.

Craig Walker, The Denver Post Terrell Davis runs for a few yards in the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins Monday night at Mile High Stadium.



Craig Walker, The Denver Post Broncos RB Terrell Davis talks with the media after opening day of the teams minicamp at the Dove Valley Training facility.

John Leyba, The Denver Post Denver Broncos RB Terrell Davis takes the hand off and gains a few yards during his return to the lineup against the Chiefs.

Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post Denver Broncos runningback Terrell Davis (#30) at practice at Dove Valley on Thursday.



Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post Denver Broncos Terrell Davis looks back at Seahawks defender #25 Reggie Tongue as he sprints for 57 yards on a hand off by Gus Frerotte in the third quarter.

Craig F. Walker, The Denver Post Terrell Davis signals to the crowd during the 1st half, his last in a Bronco uniform at Invesco Field at Mile High on Monday night August 19th in Denver, CO.

John Leyba, The Denver Post Super Bowl XXXII MVP Terrell Davis hoists the 1998 Lombardi Trophy during a ceremony honoring the Broncos' three Super Bowl titles on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 at Mile High in Denver.



Glen Martin, Denver Post file photo The Denver Broncos get there Super Bowl rings at Dove Valley Media , Denver Broncos training camp. photo is of Terrell Davis with his Super Bowl Ring

John Leyba, The Denver Post Former Denver Bronco Terrell Davis prior to his induction into the ring of fame during half time of the game vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday September 23rd at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO.

Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post Former Denver Bronco Terrell Davis during half time after being inducted into the ring of fame on Sunday September 23rd at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO.



John Leyba, The Denver Post Former Denver Broncos great Terrell Davis signs autographs before the Broncos game against the Oakland Raiders on Sept. 12, 2011 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post Broncos great Terrell Davis speaks to the media about Pat Bowlen after his bust unveiling ceremony. Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen will be inducted into the team's Ring of Fame against the Packers on Sunday, November 2, 2015. His bust was unveiled on Friday, October 30, 2015.

John Leyba, The Denver Post Terrell Davis walks onto the field as he is introduced as a prior Super Bowl MVP before the game. Denver Broncos played the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on February 7, 2016.



Daniel Petty, The Denver Post Former Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis speaks to the Press Box on January 30, 2014, in New York, New York. (Photo by Daniel Petty/The Denver Post)

“No question, T.D.belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” said former Broncos receiver and Davis’ teammate, Ed McCaffrey. “It would have been tough to win back-to-back Super Bowls without T.D. He was a game-changer. I’m so happy for his election to the Hall. He belongs among the greats.”

But the biggest barrier to Davis’ entry into the Hall had been the length of his career. Davis played only seven seasons (1995-2002) and 78 games, his tenure cut short by injuries. Although there is no set criteria for a hall of famer — no list that includes a mandated 10-year career — longevity has long been a hallmark of inductees. Only one player since the merger of the American Football League and the NFL — former running back Gale Sayers (68 games) — has been inducted with as few as seven seasons.

“I can’t control the length of my career,” he said. “I can go to sleep at night and I can sleep great knowing that even though it was a short career, I gave it my all. I don’t ever look back and feel like, ‘If I had done more during that time that this would be a possibility,’ because there’s nothing else I could have done.”

After 11 years, the Hall of Fame’s selectors believed the same.

Terrell Davis is bound for Canton, the final score in his prolific career.

“I didn’t have it as a goal to be in the Hall of Fame,” he said. “But you certainly now know the resume is complete when you have the stamp of ‘HOF.'”

Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2017

Player, Pos. Career, Teams

Terrell Davis, RB — 1995-2002 Broncos

LaDainian Tomlinson, RB — 2001-09 San Diego Chargers, 2010-11 New York Jets.

Kurt Warner, QB — 1998-2003 St. Louis Rams, 2004 New York Giants, 2005-09 Arizona Cardinals.

Jason Taylor, DE — 1997-2007, 2009, 2011 Miami Dolphins, 2008 Washington Redskins, 2010 New York Jets.

Morten Andersen, K — 1982-94 New Orleans Saints, 1995-2000, 2006-07 Atlanta Falcons, 2001 New York Giants, 2002-03 Kansas City Chiefs, 2004 Minnesota Vikings.

Kenny Easley, S – 1981-87 Seattle Seahawks (senior inductee)

Jerry Jones, Owner/president/GM – 1989-present Dallas Cowboys (contributor)