A capsule look at the inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 8:
Bob Hayes
Wide Receiver
5-11, 185

NFL career: 1965-1974 Dallas Cowboys, 1975 San Francisco 49ers.

Senior candidate. Cowboys’ seventh-round pick (88th overall) of 1964 NFL draft and Broncos’ 14th-round pick (105th overall) of 1964 AFL draft. … Won a pair of gold medals in the 1964 Olympic Games earning him the title “World’s Fastest Human”. … Played 11 seasons, 132 games. … As a rookie, his 46 receptions for 1,003 yards led all Cowboys receivers. … His world class speed was major factor in Cowboys offensive successes. … “Bullet Bob” terrorized defensive backs and demanded deep double coverage rarely seen in the NFL then. … Often said that bump and run defense was developed to slow him down. … Used his speed “in a football sense,” rather than just trying to run fast. … Four times was named first- or second-team All-NFL. … Three times led the Cowboys in receptions, including back-to-back titles in 1965-1966 when he caught a total of 110 passes for more than 2,200 yards and 25 touchdowns. … Hayes accumulated 7,414 yards and 71 touchdowns in his career. … The 71 TDs remain a Cowboys’ club record.

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Randall McDaniel
Guard
6-3, 276

1988-1999 Minnesota Vikings, 2000-01 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 14 seasons, 222 games.

Selected by Minnesota in the first round (19th overall) of 1988 draft. … Played in all 16 games as rookie, starting 15, and earned All-Rookie honors. … Started in 13 consecutive playoff games with the Vikings. … Started in 202 consecutive games before retiring. … Possessed uncanny ability to either finesse block or overpower opponents. … Led Vikings offensive line that held opponents to a sack every 22.7 attempts (1994), and every 21.3 attempts in 1998. … Blocked for six 1,000-yard rushers and five 3,000-yard passers during career … With McDaniel leading the offensive line, team captured NFC Central Division titles in 1989, 1992, 1994, and 1998. … Anchored offensive line of explosive Vikings team that led league with then-record 556 points in 1998. … Named All-Pro nine consecutive times (1990-98). … Selected to play in a record 12 consecutive Pro Bowls (1990-2001).

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Bruce Smith
Defensive End
6-4, 280

1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000-03 Washington Redskins. 19 seasons, 279 games.

Selected by Buffalo with the first pick overall of 1985 draft. … Considered one of the most dominant defensive players in NFL history. … Known as fierce pass rusher who possessed tremendous strength. … His 200 career sacks is NFL all-time record. … Recorded 10 or more sacks in an NFL record 13 seasons. … Most consider 1990 as his finest single season during which he recorded 19 sacks, including four against Colts QB Jeff George in the first 20 minutes of a Week 14 game and sacked Giants QB Jeff Hostetler for a safety in the 1991 Super Bowl. … Was a dominant part of Bills championship teams that between 1988-1995 won six AFC Eastern Division crowns (1988-1991, 1993, 1995) and four AFC championships (1990-93) . … Named NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 1990 and 1996. … Named to the NFL’s All Decade Teams of the 1980s and 1990s . .. Named first- or second-team All-Pro 11 times and selected to play in 11 Pro Bowls (1988-1991, 1993-99).

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Derrick Thomas
Linebacker
6-3, 243

1989-1999 Kansas City Chiefs. 11 seasons, 169 games.

Selected by Kansas City in the first round (fourth overall) of 1989 draft. … Had 10 sacks as a rookie and added 75 tackles to earn Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. … In 1990, led NFL with team-record 20 sacks, including NFL- record seven in one game. … Chosen for nine Pro Bowls. … Accumulated most sacks in NFL during 1990s (116½). … Recorded 126½ career sacks. Had 10 or more in a season seven times and multisack games 27 times. … Forced 45 fumbles, recovered 19. Scored four touchdowns on fumble returns and added three safeties. … In the 11 years he anchored the defense, Chiefs finished first or second in the AFC West 10 times, made seven playoff appearances, and won three division titles. … All-Pro three times. … Selected to nine straight Pro Bowls. … Member of the NFL’s all-decade team of the 1990s.

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Ralph Wilson, Jr.
Founder/Owner

1960-present Buffalo Bills.

One of original founders of American Football League, Wilson formed Buffalo Bills in 1959. … During tenure as team owner, Bills won AFL Championships in 1964 and 1965, AFC titles in 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1993 on way to unprecedented four consecutive appearances in Super Bowls. … Bills 103 regular season wins, second most in NFL during 1990s. … Helped lead AFL through early years making tough decisions that were necessary for league’s survival. … Began talks with Carroll Rosenbloom, then owner of NFL’s Colts in January 1965, that eventually resulted in AFL-NFL merger. … Considered “voice of reason” Wilson served as President of AFL, was on AFL’s Expansion Committee and AFL-NFL Negotiations Committee. … Was prominent in 1977 negotiations between NFL Management Council and NFL Players Association. … Has served as Chairman of NFL Pension Committee, Labor Committee, Super Bowl Site Committee, NFL Expansion Committee, NFL Realignment Committee.

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Rod Woodson
Cornerback/Safety
6-0, 200

1987-1996 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers, 1998-2001 Baltimore Ravens, 2002-03 Oakland Raiders. 17 seasons, 238 games with 229 starts.

Selected by Pittsburgh in the first round (10th overall) of 1987 draft. … First interception of pro career resulted in 45-yard touchdown return. … From 1991-94 recorded 12 sacks and 19 interceptions, returning three for TDs. … In 1995 suffered serious knee injury with recovery time projected to be six to 12 months. … Returned to action in just four months and played in the 1996 Super Bowl. … Member of NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team and NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s. … NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 1993. … Intercepted 71 passes in career; third on NFL all time list. … Is NFL’s all-time leader in interception return yardage (1,483). … Holds NFL record for most interceptions returned for TDs (12). … Six-time first-team All-Pro choice (1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2001). … Earned All-Pro honors as cornerback, kick returner, safety. … Chosen to play in 11 Pro Bowls – seven with Steelers, three with Ravens, and one with Raiders.

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Source: Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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