Last published at August 8, 2009 at 11:12 PM
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Pro Football Hall of Fame: Buffalo duo gets the most attention
All that was missing were chicken-wing snacks, because the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony had a distinct Buffalo flavor. Bills owner Ralph Wilson...
CANTON, Ohio — All that was missing were chicken-wing snacks, because the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony had a distinct Buffalo flavor.
Bills owner Ralph Wilson opened by loosening up the crowd of 12,695 with a few humorous anecdotes. And the chants of "BRUUUCE!" resounded through Fawcett Stadium on Saturday night, even before ex-Bills defensive end Bruce Smith had taken the podium.
And once he took the stage, the cheers didn't stop for the player who had a record 200 sacks.
Smith acknowledged the fans — a large contingent wearing Bills jerseys — by saying, "This certainly feels like a home game."
Wondering where the time has gone after his 19-year career ended in 2003 with Washington, Smith said: "And now I come full circle. I stand before you humble and honored."
In between there were emotional moments, when Kansas City linebacker Derrick Thomas and Dallas Cowboys receiver Bob Hayes were inducted posthumously.
"For all Derrick Thomas fans, the light has gone back on," former Chiefs president Carl Peterson said of Thomas, who died in 2000 after a car accident.
Hayes, meanwhile, was introduced by his son, Bob Hayes Jr., who noted his father often wondered why this achievement didn't happen earlier.
Hayes, a sprinter who won two gold medals at the 1964 Olympics, died in 2002 at the age of 59.
"It hurts, because he's not here to enjoy this," his son said. "But I know wherever he is, he's smiling down."
Hayes' family left a spot for "Pro Football Hall of Fame" to be etched into his headstone.
Also inducted was defensive back Rod Woodson, who appeared in Super Bowls with Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Oakland.
And then there was Minnesota Vikings guard Randall McDaniel, who cracked he didn't feel comfortable being up on stage alone without four other linemen next to him.
Copyright © The Seattle Times Company
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