Over the weekend the sport’s eternal shrine in Canton, Ohio added a very impressive group of new members to its hallowed halls.
In alphabetical order they are:
Bob Hayes
“Bullet Bob”, at one time the world’s fastest man and Olympic gold-medal sprinter, flew out of Florida A&M, changed the game with his world class speed accounting for nearly 7,500 yards in receptions capped by 71 touchdowns, which remains a Cowboys franchise record.
Elected seven years after his death, Hayes struggled with alcohol, drug, and legal problems and passed away at just 59 from complications from prostate cancer.
With his success in stretching defenses like never before, teams have tried to emulate Bullet Bob by trying convert such Olympic sprinters as Jimmy Hines, John Carlos and Renaldo Nehemiah with no success, but that was because Hayes was a football player first and a sprinter second.
Randall McDaniel
A 12-time pro bowl guard, McDaniel starred right from his All-Rookie season in 1988 for the Minnesota Vikings. Blocking for five 3,000 yard passers and six 1,00 yard rushers, the amazingly sturdy Arizona State grad played 202 consecutive NFL games before retiring.
Bruce Smith
The first player selected in the NFL Draft, the Virginia All-American excelled for 19 seasons becoming one of the all-time pass rushers. He owns the NFL sack record with 200. The defensive end was a key part of the Buffalo Bills’ six AFC Eastern titles and four AFC titles teams. Defensive Player of the Year in 1990 and again five years later, Smith was selected to play in 11 pro bowls.
Derrick Thomas
The consensus All-American out of Alabama had an NFL-record seven sacks in a 1990 game versus Seattle. The nine-time pro bowler had ten or more sacks in a season seven times. Thomas was a disruptive force beyond dropping QBs as he forced 45 fumbles, had 19 fumble recoveries, three safeties and even scored four touchdowns on turnovers. Named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s, Thomas died at 33 in 2000 resulting from a car accident.
Ralph Wilson Jr.
The only owner the Buffalo Bills have ever had, Wilson was one of the founders of the American Football League (AFL) in 1959.
Buffalo won the AFL championship in both 1964 and 1965. The Bills also went to four consecutive Super Bowls beginning in 1990, but alas came away with no wins.
Wilson served as president of the AFL and was a key figure in negotiations that eventually led to the AFL-NFL merger.
The NFL will be celebrating the AFL’s 50th Anniversary this season.
Rod Woodson
The All-American cornerback out of Purdue was the Steelers’ first round pick in the 1987 draft. NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1993, Woodson is third in career interceptions with 71 and holds the record in interception return yardage (1,483). The NFL leader in interceptions returned for TDs (12), the 11-time pro bowler is a member of the NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team.
Wow! What a dream team. This would be a particularly strong defensive powerhouse.
Two of Buffalo’s anchors- owner Wilson and Bruce Smith are well-deserving of such an honor.
Class is right. What talent in this year’s inductees.
Bob Hayes really did change the game because he was a tremendous receiver with amazing speed. There have been plenty of imitators. none came close.
McDaniel, like Raiders center Jim Otto, was a throwback. A tough,tough SOB right in the trenches game-in and game out. The Vikings could use someone like him now.
Rod Woodson is as talented a defensive back as there has been in the history of the game, evidenced by his records and his induction.
I think Francis’ comments about Bob Hayes are right on. Anyone old enough to see him play knows “speed kills”
Too bad about Derrick Thomas, a tremendous football talent that left this earth too soon.
Bruce Smith was a terror that didnt get enough credit for the Bills’ Super Bowl runs, oversahdowed by the Jim Kelly offense
I think Woodson was awesome. His ability to run after interceptions is evident in his recrods.
Yeah a great receiver joined by some awesome defenders and a solid team onwer. One of the better inductee classes I’d say.
Yeah man, for my defense I’d take Smith on the line, Thomas backing him and Woodson deep.
The Bills, despite not carrying the Lombardi Trophy, sure had some great teams in the early 90s.
BobHayes..what a great gamebreaker. His bow legged body pumping a mile a minute was a curious site, but frightening no doubt to defensive backs.
Bruce Smith was a killer weapon to have on the defensive line.
Two Minnesota Vikings two years in a row.
The year before Gary Zimmerman said on his speech that Randall McDaniel would be right behind him. Randall was a smaller guard but he was very strong, quick feet and always in the correct position. Most defensive tackles such as Gilbert Brown and Grady Jacksonn, both 300 lbs plus would try to overpower the 285lb McDaniel.
Truly a deserving candidate. GO VIKES!!!