The celebration could be on in western New York the day before Super Bowl XLIII as both Bruce Smith and Andre Reed are among the finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The two spent the same 15 seasons as members of the Bills, before finishing their careers with the Redskins, and they will find out on the eve of this year's big game if they are teammates in the Hall Class of 2009.
While in Buffalo, Smith and Reed were key players on the squads that reached an amazing four straight Super Bowls -- an accomplishment that gets completely overlooked because they never walked away as Super Bowl champs.
Of the 17 finalists up for possible induction, Smith, Rod Woodson, Shannon Sharpe and John Randle are first-year eligible players.
The complete list of finalists is as follows:
Cris Carter – Wide Receiver – 1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami DolphinsDermontti Dawson – Center – 1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers Richard Dent – Defensive End – 1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles Russ Grimm – Guard – 1981-1991 Washington Redskins Bob Hayes – Wide Receiver – 1965-1974 Dallas Cowboys, 1975 San Francisco 49ers
Claude Humphrey – Defensive End – 1968-1978 Atlanta Falcons, 1979-1981 Philadelphia Eagles Cortez Kennedy – Defensive Tackle – 1990-2000 Seattle SeahawksBob Kuechenberg – Guard – 1970-1984 Miami DolphinsRandall McDaniel – Guard – 1988-1999 Minnesota Vikings, 2000-01 Tampa Bay Buccaneers John Randle – Defensive Tackle – 1990-2000 Minnesota Vikings, 2001-03 Seattle SeahawksAndre Reed – Wide Receiver – 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins Shannon Sharpe – Tight End – 1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos, 2000-01 Baltimore RavensBruce Smith – Defensive End – 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000-03 Washington Redskins Paul Tagliabue – Commissioner – 1989-2006 National Football League Derrick Thomas – Linebacker – 1989-1999 Kansas City ChiefsRalph Wilson – Team Founder/Owner – 1960-Present Buffalo BillsRod Woodson – Cornerback/Safety – 1987-1996 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers, 1998-2001 Baltimore Ravens, 2002-03 Oakland
There are some great informational notes available about if each player gets elected on the Pro Football Hall of Fame site.
Comments
Why isn't Ray Guy on this list? Why isn't Ray Guy in the Hall of Fame? There is something illegitmate about the HOF if it doesn't include the greatest punter of all time!
You make a fair point K. It seems special teams have been overlooked for a long time by the Hall voters. Jan Stenurud, Class of 1991, is the only kicker in the HOF and no punter has been enshrined.
Someone please tell me why #8 Ray Guy Punter for the Oakland Raiders isn't in the HOF???
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