2009 Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

Posted Jan 31, 2009 2:40PM By Ryan Wilson (RSS feed)

It's the last big event of Super Bowl Week before the actual game: the 2009 Hall of Fame announcement ceremony. The class is now official and it includes: Bob Hayes (Cowboys, WR), Randall McDaniel (Vikings, G), Bruce Smith (Bills, DE), Derrick Thomas (Chiefs, LB), Ralph Wilson (Bills owner) and Rod Woodson (Steelers, CB).

Interestingly, John Randle (Vikings DE), Shannon Sharpe (Broncos, TE), Smith and Woodson were first-time eligibles and two of them are headed to Canton this summer to give their induction speeches and don snazzy mustard-colored blazers.

Cris Carter (Vikings, WR) missed out in his second time on the ballot, but most folks who know about such things feel he will eventually get the nod. Also missing the final cut: Andre Reed (Bills, WR), Paul Tagliabue (former NFL commissioner), Cortez Kennedy (Seahawks, DL), Dermontti Dawson (Steelers, C), Russ Grimm (Redskins, G), Bob Kuechenberg (Dolphins, G), Claude Humphrey (Falcons, DE), Richard Dent (Bears, DL).

Pro Football Hall of Fame Photos

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 31: Lucille Hester, sister of Bob Hayes, accepts the award for the late Bob Hayes during the The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2009 press conference at the Tampa Convention Center on January 31, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lucille Hester

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 31: Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt accepts the award for the late Derrick Thomas during the The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2009 press conference at the Tampa Convention Center on January 31, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Clark Hunt

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 31: Bruce Smith answers questions from the media during the The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2009 press conference at the Tampa Convention Center on January 31, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bruce Smith

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 31: Rod Woodson answers questions from the media during the The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2009 press conference at the Tampa Convention Center on January 31, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rod Woodson

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 31: (L-R) Rod Woodson, Ralph Wilson and Bruce Smith pose for a picture during the The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2009 press conference at the Tampa Convention Center on January 31, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rod Woodson;Ralph Wilson;Bruce Smith

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 31: Team owner of the Buffalo Bills Ralph Wilson answers questions from the media during the The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2009 press conference at the Tampa Convention Center on January 31, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ralph Wilson

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-31-2009 @ 4:57PM

Sully said...

It's about time Ralph Wilson made it! Long overdue! I am a Cowboy fan, but Hayes before Carter? I don't know about that one. The rest were well deserved. Now if they would just put Andre Reed and James Lofton in, all would be fine for now! The rest on that list will all get in eventually. It's a shame though that Hayes was not alive for his induction!

1-31-2009 @ 5:51PM

BRODY said...

Of course Hayes before Carter. Nobody designed an entirely new way of defending the pass in response to Chris Carter. Hayes' speed and ability forced other teams to devise a way to contain him.

1-31-2009 @ 6:02PM

angman747 said...

GET MY MAN RICHARD DENT IN THERE!!!!!
I DUNNO ABOUT THIS STUFF, ITS AS BAD AS THE ROCK&ROLL HALL OF FAME, SOME GET IN BEFORE THE OBVIOUS MOST DESERVED BUT I GUESS ITS ALL IN THE POLITICS OF IT EH?

1-31-2009 @ 6:14PM

ben said...

Again... no bronco elected to the Hall of Fame.
Six Super Bowls and only two players total in the Hall.
Shannon Sharpe, the player who defined the TE position and perfected the TE blocking scheme.
Three superbowl rings with two different teams and two 2000 yard rushers he blocked for.
Shame on you voters

1-31-2009 @ 7:02PM

finemondo said...

Lofton is already in.

1-31-2009 @ 7:26PM

hail master said...

thats awesome..im a pats fan. but a true fan of football in general. its awesoome that derrick thomas is going to canton..thats awesome. his carrier and life were cut short. hes definalty a great player. congrats to all who made it. but i am surprised that andre reed didnt make it..im sure he will one day.
GO CARDS!!!

1-31-2009 @ 7:50PM

moose9141084247 said...

WHAT SHANNON SHARPE NOT VOTED IN IT FIGURES . SMALL TOWN GLENVILLE GA NATIVE WHO ATTENDS A DIV 2 COLLEGE AT SAVANNAH STATE COLLEGE THEN GOES ON TO WIN 3 SUPER BOWLS WHICH HE GAVE HIS 1ST RING TO HIS BROTHER STERLING WHOS PLAYING DAYS WERE CUT SHORT BY NECK INJURY . A REAL STAND UP GUY AND CLASS ACT. MAYBE NEXT YEAR SHANNON . SAVANNAH LOVES YOU

1-31-2009 @ 9:18PM

oyoyov said...

It is about time for Bruce Smith of the Buffalo Bills.What a warrior! Just to remind the voters, Andre Reed was the one catching those balls thrown short, long, inside, sideline, outside, and oh yes, hail mary's thrown by Jim Kelly. Wake and do the right thing. Go Bills! A die hard fan!

2-01-2009 @ 8:15AM

Rob said...

Clay Matthews,Clay Matthews,Clay Matthews,Clay Matthews,Clay Matthews,Clay Matthews,Clay Matthews,Clay Matthews!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2-01-2009 @ 11:40AM

sublimefttw said...

Richard Dent didn't get in and Bruce Smith did???!!! Are you kidding me???!!!
Dent belongs in over Derrik Thomas also. How does this happen?

Both Smith and Thomas DEFINATLEY belong in the Hall but not over Dent.

Dent had the sacks and was a crushing run stopper, plus a Superbowl MVP and Champion.

Smith would ONLY rush the passer and that's it. His team mates didn't like him because he wasn't a team player. They would bast his balls in the huddle saying things like "Don'fraid to tackle the running back once in a while". But they were serious.