CANTON, Ohio – Practically giddy with excitement over his upcoming induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Ralph Wilson greeted Bruce Smith in the middle of a hotel ballroom to pose for a picture Friday.
“It’s been fun,” said the 90-year-old Buffalo Bills owner, who then pointed to Smith, his former star defensive end. “It’s been fun because of him.”
Smith was quick with a response, saying, “It goes both ways. And now we’re going to be part of an elite class.”
That will happen today, when Wilson and Smith are inducted with Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas, defensive back Rod Woodson, offensive guard Randall McDaniel and wide receiver Bob Hayes. Thomas’ career was cut short in 2000 when he died following a car accident. Hayes died in 2002 at age 59.
What’s hard to miss about this group are the Bills’ connections, which will give this weekend a distinct Buffalo flavor. Not only are two Bills being enshrined, but the team will play Tennessee in the Hall of Fame game Sunday, when Terrell Owens makes his debut in a Buffalo uniform.
As of Friday, Hall officials said 30 percent of enshrinement tickets sold were purchased by fans from Buffalo area codes.
“It will be exciting. It will be loud,” Smith said, recalling how 80,000 fans would fill Ralph Wilson Stadium in blizzard conditions. “It’s going to be incredible to see all of them out again.”
Smith, the No. 1 pick in the 1985 draft out of Virginia Tech, became one of the league’s most dominant pass rushers and will be inducted in his first year of eligibility. In 19 seasons with Buffalo and Washington, he registered a league-record 200 sacks and played a pivotal role in helping the Bills make a still-unmatched four consecutive Super Bowl appearances in the 1990s. He was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Wilson was one of the eight original owners to establish the American Football League in 1959 and played a significant role in the AFL-NFL merger. His talks with then-Baltimore Colts owner Carroll Rosenbloom set the framework of the merger deal, because it included revenue sharing, something NFL owners had been against.
McDaniel didn’t expect to be inducted after playing such a low-profile position.
“I didn’t have big goals. My goal was mainly to win a starting job and get to play,” said McDaniel, a 12-time Pro Bowl selection during a 14-year career, most of it with Minnesota.
Woodson, inducted in his first year of eligibility, was an 11-time Pro Bowl selection. He was a threat at cornerback, safety and as a kick returner. He appeared in three Super Bowls with three teams – Pittsburgh, Baltimore and the Raiders – and won one with the Ravens in 2001.
Thomas registered the most sacks of any player in the 1990s. A nine-time Pro Bowl selection during an 11-year career, Thomas still holds the NFL record for sacks in a game, seven, and his 126 1/2 sacks rank fourth among linebackers.
Hayes earned the nickname “The Bullet” and helped revolutionize the receiver position during an 11-year career – 10 with Dallas and one with the 49ers – that ended in 1975. Hayes won two gold medals at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, and his 71 career touchdown catches remain a Cowboys record.
Bob Hayes
• WR/5-11, 185 pounds.
• 1965-74 Dallas Cowboys, 1975 49ERS.
• 11 seasons, 132 games.
Randall McDaniel
• OG/6-3, 276.
• 1988-99 Minnesota Vikings, 2000-01 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
• 14 seasons, 222 games.
Bruce Smith
• DE/6-4, 280.
• 1985-99 Buffalo Bills, 2000-03 Washington Redskins.
• 19 seasons, 279 games.
Derrick Thomas
• LB/6-3, 243.
• 1989-99 Kansas City Chiefs.
• 11 seasons, 169 games.
Ralph Wilson Jr.
• Founder/owner.
• 1960-present Buffalo Bills.
Rod Woodson
• CB-S/6-0, 200.
• 1987-96 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1997 49ERS, 1998-2001 Baltimore Ravens, 2002-03 RAIDERS.
• 17 seasons, 238 games.
– Associated Press
