Greatness Bronzed
8/8/09
Mother Nature proved she loves football. Intermittent rain and potentially threatening weather ceased late in the day Saturday. And, just as Rich Eisen stepped to the podium as emcee of the 2009 Enshrinement Ceremony at Canton’s Fawcett Stadium the sun finally broke through the clouds just in time for the evening ceremony.
The spotlight quickly focused on the six newest legends to officially join pro football’s most coveted fraternity – enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Nearly 13,000 fans, many clad in Buffalo Bills’ blue and red, packed into the stadium to witness the ceremony. Joining them were the more than 80 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame who returned to welcome the newest class.
Ralph Wilson, Jr., Randall McDaniel, Bob Hayes, Rod Woodson, Derrick Thomas, and Bruce Smith now bring the number of all-time greats with busts in the Hall of Fame Gallery to 253.
Road to Canton in ‘09
17 Finalists
Semi-finalists
Modern Era Nominees
Senior Candidates
NFL.com
From behind the scenes, to entertaining columns, video, and blogging, the team from NFL.com covered Canton ’09 like no one else.
Hall of Fame blogs
Feature stories:
Vic Carucci
A day for Wilson, a day for Smith -- a hallmark day for Buffalo
Notes from Canton: Bills ready for a big weekend
Hayes had speed to succeed, but his work ethic released true football talent
Thomas George
Loved ones give Hayes, Thomas their Hall of Fame moments
Gil Brandt’s Hall Recall:
Smith was always a man among boys
Once Wilson settled in Buffalo, he was a proud and loyal owner
Steady McDaniel was one of the best interior linemen ever
Sackmaster Thomas was all smiles. Opposing QBs? Not so much
Nick Bakay
The do-it-yourself, customizable Hall of Fame speech
Welcoming Committees
Mel Blount welcomes fellow Steelers cornerback Rod Woodson
Gary Zimmerman welcomes former teammate Randall McDaniel
Levy: Congratulations to the pride of Buffalo
Jim Kelly welcomes former Bills teammate Bruce Smith to Hall of Fame
Chats
Aug. 7 – Live chat from McKinley Grand Hotel in Canton, Ohio
July 22 - Randall McDaniel
July 21 - Ralph Wilson
More on the Weekend from Profootballhof.com:
Award winners
Irv Cross named Pete-Rozelle Radio-TV Award winner
Peter King honored with McCann Award
Student Art Contest winners
More from Profootballhof.com
Hall of Fame Selection Process
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