Hall induction turning into a Buffalo bash
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 afternoon.
"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. "I think it goes both ways," he said. "And now we're going to be part of an elite class."
That'll happen Saturday, when Wilson and Smith are formally inducted along with Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas, defensive back Rod Woodson, offensive guard Randall McDaniel and receiver Bob Hayes. Thomas, whose career was cut short in 2000 when he died following a car accident, and Hayes, who died in 2002 at age 59, both will be inducted posthumously.
And Thomas' induction is expected to be among the most poignant moments of the ceremony, because he was regarded as one of his generation's most charismatic players.
What's also 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 be playing Tennessee in the Hall of Fame game Sunday, when Terrell Owens makes his debut in a Buffalo uniform.
As of Friday evening, Hall officials reported that 30 percent of enshrinement tickets sold have been bought by fans from Buffalo telephone area codes.
That's no surprise to Smith.
"It will be exciting. It will be loud," said Smith, recalling how 80,000 fans would fill Ralph Wilson Stadium in blizzard-like 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, went on to become 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 early 1990s.
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.
Wilson, who earned the title "Conscience of the NFL," was also an active member on numerous influential NFL committees that helped fashion the rules of the modern game.
Woodson, inducted in his first year of eligibility, was an 11-time Pro Bowl selection. He was a triple threat at cornerback, safety and as a kick returner. Woodson appeared in three Super Bowls with three different teams — Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Oakland — and won one with the Ravens in 2001.
