A capsule look at those for elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday:
Bob Hayes
Wide Receiver
5-11, 185
NFL career: 1965-1974 Dallas Cowboys, 1975 San Francisco 49ers.
times led the Cowboys in receptions, including back-to-back titles in 1965-1966 when he caught a total of 110 passes for more than 2,200 yards and 25 touchdowns. … Hayes accumulated 7,414 yards and 71 touchdowns in his career. … The 71 TDs remain a Cowboys’ club record.
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Randall McDaniel
Guard
6-3, 276
1988-1999 Minnesota Vikings, 2000-01 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 14 seasons, 222 games.
Selected by Minnesota in the first round (19th overall) of 1988 draft. … Played in all 16 games as rookie, starting 15, and earned All-Rookie honors. … Started in 13 consecutive playoff games with the Vikings. … Started in 202 consecutive games before retiring. … Possessed uncanny ability to either finesse block or overpower opponents. … Led Vikings offensive line that held opponents to a sack every 22.7 attempts (1994), and every 21.3 attempts in 1998. … Blocked for six 1,000-yard rushers and five 3,000-yard passers during career … With McDaniel leading the offensive line, team captured NFC Central Division titles in 1989, 1992, 1994, and 1998. … Anchored offensive line of explosive Vikings team that led league with then-record 556 points in 1998. … Named All-Pro nine consecutive times (1990-98). … Selected to play in a record 12 consecutive Pro Bowls (1990-2001).
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Bruce Smith
Defensive End
6-4, 280
1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000-03 Washington Redskins. 19 seasons, 279 games.
Selected by Buffalo with the first pick overall of 1985 draft. … Considered one of the most dominant defensive players in NFL history. … Known as fierce pass rusher who possessed tremendous strength. … His 200 career sacks is NFL all-time record. … Recorded 10 or more sacks in an NFL record 13 seasons. … Most consider 1990 as his finest single season during which he recorded 19 sacks, including four against Colts QB Jeff George in the first 20 minutes of a Week 14 game and sacked Giants QB Jeff Hostetler for a safety in the 1991 Super Bowl. … Was a dominant part of Bills championship teams that between 1988-1995 won six AFC Eastern Division crowns (1988-1991, 1993, 1995) and four AFC championships (1990-93) . … Named NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 1990 and 1996. … Named to the NFL’s All Decade Teams of the 1980s and 1990s . .. Named first- or second-team All-Pro 11 times and selected to play in 11 Pro Bowls (1988-1991, 1993-99).
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Derrick Thomas
Linebacker
6-3, 243
1989-1999 Kansas City Chiefs. 11 seasons, 169 games.
Selected by Kansas City in the first round (fourth overall) of 1989 draft. … Had 10 sacks as a rookie and added 75 tackles to earn Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. … In 1990, led NFL with team-record 20 sacks, including NFL- record seven in one game. … Chosen for nine Pro Bowls. … Accumulated most sacks in NFL during 1990s (116 1/2). … Recorded 126 1/2 career sacks. Had 10 or more in a season seven times and multisack games 27 times. … Forced 45 fumbles, recovered 19. Scored four touchdowns on fumble returns and added three safeties. … In the 11 years he anchored the defense, Chiefs finished first or second in the AFC West 10 times, made seven playoff appearances, and won three division titles. … All-Pro three times. … Selected to nine straight Pro Bowls. … Member of the NFL’s all-decade team of the 1990s.
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Ralph Wilson, Jr.
Founder/Owner
1960-present Buffalo Bills.
tually resulted in AFL-NFL merger. … Considered “voice of reason” Wilson served as President of AFL, was on AFL’s Expansion Committee and AFL-NFL Negotiations Committee. … Was prominent in 1977 negotiations between NFL Management Council and NFL Players Association. … Has served as Chairman of NFL Pension Committee, Labor Committee, Super Bowl Site Committee, NFL Expansion Committee, NFL Realignment Committee.
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Rod Woodson
Cornerback/Safety
6-0, 200
1987-1996 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers, 1998-2001 Baltimore Ravens, 2002-03 Oakland Raiders. 17 seasons, 238 games with 229 starts.
Selected by Pittsburgh in the first round (10th overall) of 1987 draft. … First interception of pro career resulted in 45-yard touchdown return. … From 1991-94 recorded 12 sacks and 19 interceptions, returning three for TDs. … In 1995 suffered serious knee injury with recovery time projected to be six to 12 months. … Returned to action in just four months and played in the 1996 Super Bowl. … Member of NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team and NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s. … NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 1993. … Intercepted 71 passes in career; third on NFL all time list. … Is NFL’s all-time leader in interception return yardage (1,483). … Holds NFL record for most interceptions returned for TDs (12). … Six-time first-team All-Pro choice (1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2001). … Earned All-Pro honors as cornerback, kick returner, safety. … Chosen to play in 11 Pro Bowls – seven with Steelers, three with Ravens, and one with Raiders.
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Source: Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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