These man are all witnesses for the defense. All Pro Football Hall of Famers.
The three were elected Saturday along with many Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson, who at the age of 90, the oldest person ever inducted? Former Minnesota guard Randall McDaniel? And the late Bob Hayes, a prominent wide receiver for the Dallas and 1964 Olympic 100 meters gold medal.
Induction will Aug 8 in Canton, Ohio. The only candidate of the seven finalists, who had come into hawks and former Eagles defensive end Claude Humphrey. Former Commissioner Paul Tagliabue has been denied access for the third straight year, once past the first round of cuts.
nfl hall of fame
Tagliabue, who retired in 2006 after 17 years in the job, with strong resistance in three years of eligibility and profitability, despite the league labor peace during the qualification. No problem for Smith and Woodson in the first year for the vote. “I’m happy,” said Smith, the career sacks leader who spent much of his career with the Bills.
“It’s a great honor, a great performance,” said Woodson, a former defensive back who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, among other groups. “I’m still pinching myself a bit, given that it is surreal.” Liquid poignant moment, however, came when Hayes’ sister, Lucille Hester, read a thank-you letter from Hayes when he left the room. He died in 2002.
“Regardless of how long it lasted. … The day is here, and historically,” he said. A defensive end Smith retired five years ago with 200 sacks and two all-decade teams. Written 1 overall in 1985, Smith was the most seasons with double-digit sacks (13) and most post-season sacks (14 1 / 2). Won defensive player of the year, graduated cum laude in 1990 and 1996 with Buffalo and ended the season with 19 career three seasons as a Red. Smith said that the hall will be a greater price as two other Bills, Wilson and wide receiver Andre Reed, also the same year. He took half of his wishes.
“What is amazing class, and in particular with Ralph Wilson, the founding owner of the Buffalo Bills, to be inducted in the classroom kai’09,” says Smith. “This is really special.” Then thoughts turned to his family. “Just that my father and all the sacrifices made and my mother when I was a child to grow into a man,” Smith added, tear fully. “How do you want a better life than they had. I just want to be here. That would be very proud of this day.”
Wilson and the Titans’ Bud Adams is the only original AFL members even their franchises. The teams will meet at the Hall of Fame game on the day after the induction. Wilson has consistently maintained his team in a small market, while other owners bolts for the bright light and the large U.S. dollars Mega ground. This is the biggest ovation at the announcement and said he had seen each hall enshrinee running at some point.
“Pro Football is not for me to earn money. It is a matter of competition, the flow of the game,” he said. “The people in the community bonding of a group. It gives them a quality of life. “I had the opportunity to that team. I think it would be crazy to do that.”
Woodson, the 1993 defensive player of the year, in the 1990s all-decade team. He led the NFL in interceptions in 1999 and 2002 with Baltimore, and kickoff returns (27.3-yard average) in 1989 with Pittsburgh. We played corner back and safety for the Steelers, 49ers, Ravens intruders and a 17-year career, winning the NFL championship in 2001 with Baltimore in the game and Super Bowls with Pittsburgh and Oakland. Woodson is the leader in career interception returns for system with 12 touch downs.
“I do not think any of us started playing soccer because he wanted to be in the Hall of Fame,” Woodson added. “I started to play football because my brothers played.” Thomas, who died nine years ago after a car accident while still active, including the 1990s all-decade team of 1989 and was defensive rookie of the year. It is the 11th in career sacks with 126 1 / 2.
A little line Backer who also were responsible only in the coverage of Kansas City, Thomas set an NFL mark with seven sacks in a game against Seattle on Nov 11, 1990, when the rates NFL 20 sacks.
“Derrick Thomas was the cornerstone of the modern era of Kansas City, and heads one of the most feared artists of his time,” said Chiefs owner Clark Hunt. “Every head coach and offensive coordinator who faced the Chiefs did in the 1990s, when he came to Arrowhead Stadium was represented Derrick Thomas.” McDaniel was rarely as effective protection to guard the pass and run blocking can handle even the best defensive linemen singlehandedly. He lost only two games with the 14-year career and was a member of the 1990s all-decade team. “Randall was a monster,” says Smith. “While locked up for you, could not go anywhere.”
Hayes was the most dangerous deep threat to the promotion of football 1965-75. Nicknamed “Bullet Bob”, which has twice the NFL in points, and average yards per reception. It was a brilliant kick returns. The long wait for Hayes to the Hall – was a senior selection committee – had much to do with the problems that had area.
Hayes served 10 months in a Texas prison after pleading guilty in 1979 to an undercover narcotics cop. The “destroyed my life,” Hayes wrote in the autobiography, “Run, Bullet, Run: The Rise, Fall, and the rehabilitation of Bob Hayes.” The prison term ended at about the same time for the first time be eligible for the hall.
Tagliabue day has not yet reached. Critics cited the failure to establish a team back to Los Angeles after rams and intruders left in 1995, and stated that the contract was launched in 2006 was cast aside