Bend resident Drew Bledsoe will join an elite list of honorees in January when he is inducted into the National Quarterback Club’s Hall of Fame.

The Phoenix-based organization announced its newest induction class in a press release this week. In part, the release stated that the National Quarterback Club “recognizes outstanding athletes for their qualities and achievements on and off the playing field.”

Bledsoe played for the New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys during an illustrious pro football career that spanned 14 seasons from 1993 to 2006. The Washington native starred at Walla Walla High School before going on to become a record-setting college quarterback at Washington State. The Patriots made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 1993 NFL draft.

When he retired from football, Bledsoe was among the all-time NFL leaders in a number of statistical categories, including career pass attempts (6,717), completions (3,839), passing yards (44,611) and touchdown passes (251).

Bledsoe will join the NQBC Hall of Fame with another longtime NFL great, Rich Gannon, who played for the Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders over 17 seasons before retiring in 2005. The induction ceremony is Jan. 17 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

— Bulletin staff report