Ralph Wilson

Ralph Wilson often said he never thought he'd live to see the day he would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, but at 90 years of age, his time has finally arrived Many people familiar with the history of the NFL, and its merger with the AFL that turned it into the premier pro sports league in the world, think Wilson's induction is long overdue.

Most recently, Wilson was singled out for protesting the NFL's most recent labor agreement because it threatened the revenue sharing provisions so vital for small market franchises like Buffalo. Only a couple years later, owners were in unanimous agreement that Wilson was right to have his original misgivings, and changes have been made and will be made in the future based on Wilson's courage to speak out.

Ralph C. Wilson has long been one of the most influential NFL owners, and the man perhaps most responsible for standing up for the smaller markets, convincing the larger market owners that a well-balanced NFL is the key to the league's overall success. His foresight has more than paid off, and at long last, Ralph C. Wilson Jr. has been recognized for a long and distinguished role as an NFL contributor; a role he will continue.

Bruce Smith

Bruce Smith, who played in four Super Bowls with the Buffalo Bills, arrived at the podium Saturday with crumpled tissues in his right hand after he was voted into Pro Football’s Hall of Fame.

Hayes, the 1964 Olympic gold medalist in the 100 meters, parlayed his speed into an 11-year football career, playing all but his final season, in 1975, for Dallas. In the statement read by Hester, Hayes gave thanks to many before concluding, “Just thank everyone in the whole world.”

The 45-year-old Smith, who has no championship ring to show for his four Super Bowl appearances in the early 1990s, gained entry into the Hall but tight end Shannon Sharpe, who starred on three Super Bowl-championship teams, did not. Receiver Cris Carter and the former N.F.L. commissioner Paul Tagliabue also failed to receive enough votes.

Randall McDaniel

Randall McDaniel's response a moment after he was announced as part of the six-member class of the star-studded 2009 Pro Football Hall of Fame class today in Tampa, Fla "I can't believe it," a stunned McDaniel said from his Twin Cities home. "You never set out thinking that's going to happen. A part of me is wondering if this is real. I'm a linemen, so no one ever tells a lineman the truth.

Joining McDaniel are Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Derrick Thomas, Buffalo Bills defensive end Bruce Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Rod Woodson, Dallas Cowboys receiver Bob Hayes and Bills owner Ralph Wilson "It's a humbling experience. It's a great honor to have," McDaniel said.

The 19th overall selection by the Vikings in the 1988 NFL Draft out of Arizona State, McDaniel went to an NFL record 12 consecutive Pro Bowls. He played for the Vikings until the 1999 season then finished his career with two seasons in Tampa with the Buccaneers It's not the end of the world," Randle said. "I was hoping for Randall. He deserves it.

Derrick Thomas, the ferocious pass rusher and cornerstone of the Chiefs’ teams of the 1990s, was elected today to the Pro Football Hall of Fame who played during 1989-99 and died from injuries sustained in a January 2000 auto accident, was elected in his fifth year of eligibility.

Induction will be on Aug. 8. Thomas will join eight others enshrined in Canton, Ohio, as members of the Chiefs — quarterback Len Dawson, defensive tackle Buck Buchanan, linebackers Bobby Bell and Willie Lanier, cornerback Emmitt Thomas, kicker Jan Stenerud as well as owner Lamar Hunt and coach Hank Stram.

He helped define the art of the sack and strip of the quarterback. Thomas had 126 1/2 sacks, which ranked ninth in NFL history at the time of his death. He set the NFL single-game record with seven sacks against Seattle in 1990; and he nearly matched it, recording six sacks against Oakland in 1998, giving him two of the top three sack days in league history.