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2001
Finalists
Nick
Buoniconti
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Linebacker. . .
5-11, 220 . . . Notre Dame . . . 1962-1968 Boston Patriots, 1969-1974, 1976
Miami Dolphins . . . 14 seasons, 183 games . . . 13th round pick in 1962 AFL
Draft . . .All-America as guard and linebacker, 1961 . . . thought to be too
small for pros, but "played bigger than his size" . . . An immediate impact
with Pats, helping to capture 1963 AFL Eastern Division title . . . Played in
five AFL All-Star games with Patriots and one with Miami after 1969 trade . . .
Received most votes in 1966 All-Star balloting . . . Ranks seventh in Patriots
history for career interceptions, 24. . . Had three interceptions in one game,
Oct. 20, 1968, vs. Bills . . . Was Dolphins Most Valuable Player in 1969 . . .
Following AFL-NFL merger was named to two more Pro Bowls, 1973 and 1974 . . .
Driving force of Dolphins famed "No Name Defense". . . Inspired teammates
with outstanding play and fiery leadership . . . During seven seasons with
Dolphins, team made three consecutive Super Bowl appearances (Super Bowls VI,
VII, VIII), winning two, including one coming after incredible undefeated season
in 1972 . . . Recorded 32 career interceptions. . . Voted to All-Time AFL Team
in 1969. . . Born December 15, 1940, in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Harry
Carson
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Linebacker. . .
6-2, 237. . .South Carolina State. . .1976-1988 New York Giants. . .13 seasons,
173 games. . .Giants' fourth-round draft pick (105th player overall), 1976
draft. . .Defensive end in college. . .Became Giants' starting middle
linebacker halfway through rookie season. . .Earned All-Rookie honors. . .Led
Giants defenders in tackles five seasons. . . Had career-high performance in
1982 vs. Green Bay, 20 solo tackles and five assists. . .Ferocious run stopper
whose 17 career opponents' fumble recoveries ranks second in Giants' record
book. . .Known for his aggressive pursuit, he recorded 11 career interceptions.
. .Was a part of the famed Giants linebacker trio of Carson, Lawrence Taylor,
and Carl Banks. . .A big-play performer, his interception and 12 tackles vs.
Redskins in 1986 virtually assured Giants of NFC East title. . .Made key goal
line stand play in Super Bowl XXI when he stopped Broncos running back for no
gain. . .Selected to play in nine Pro Bowls, including seven straight
(1982-1988). . . All-Pro in 1984 and All-NFC in 1978, 1979, 1982, 1986. . .Born
November 26, 1953, in Florence, South Carolina.
Dave
Casper
Tight End. .
.6-4, 240. . .Notre Dame. . .1974-1980 Oakland Raiders, 1980-1983 Houston Oilers,
1983 Minnesota Vikings, 1984 Los Angeles Raiders. . .Eleven seasons, 147 games.
. .Raiders' second-round pick (45th player selected overall), 1974 draft. .
.An All-America at Notre Dame, 1973. . .Used primarily on special teams first
two seasons. . .Nicknamed "The Ghost," earned starting tight end spot in
1976 and finished season with impressive 53 catches for 691 yards and 10
touchdowns. . .Outstanding play contributed to Raiders success and 32-14 victory
over Vikings in Super Bowl XI. . .Outstanding blocker as well as receiver. .
.Caught winning 10-yard touchdown pass in 1977 double-overtime AFC playoff game.
. .The game is referred to as "Ghost to the Post," in reference to his
42-yard reception that set up the tying field goal at the end of regulation. .
.Traded to Oilers midway through 1980 season for a first and two second-round
draft picks. . .Named All-Pro and All-AFC four consecutive years (1976-1979). .
.Selected to play in five Pro Bowls, 1977 through 1981. . .Born February 2, 1952 in Bemidji, Minnesota.
Dan
Hampton
Defensive
Tackle/Defensive End. . .6-5, 264. . .Arkansas. . . 1979-1990 Chicago Bears. . .
12 seasons, 157 games. . . Selected by Bears in first-round (4th player overall)
in 1979 NFL Draft. . . All-America honors and SWC Defensive Player of the Year
as a senior with Razorbacks. . . Nicknamed "Danimal" for ferocious style of
play. . . Impact player as a rookie with 70 tackles, 48 solo, two fumble
recoveries, three passes defensed, two sacks, and one forced fumble . . 1980 led
team with 11.5 sacks, his 73 tackles were most by Bears lineman. . .In
strike-shortened 1982 season, led team with nine sacks and was second in tackles
with 71. . . Named Defensive MVP by Pro Football Weekly, 1982. . . Equaled
career high 11.5 sacks in 1984. . . Was a major contributor on 1985 Bears
defense that allowed just 198 points and shut out both playoff opponents leading
up to 46-10 victory over Patriots in Super Bowl XX. . . A versatile player,
played both DT and DE positions. . . Despite numerous injuries and surgeries,
was first- or second-team All-Pro choice six times as either DE or DT. . . Born
September 19, 1957 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Lester
Hayes
Cornerback. . .
6-0, 200. . . Texas A&M. . . 1977-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. . . 10
seasons, 149 games. . . Selected in fifth round of 1977 NFL Draft, (126th player
overall). . . Played linebacker first two years and safety second two years at
Texas A&M. . . Converted to cornerback in pros. . . Excellent in man-to-man
coverage, earned a spot in starting lineup as rookie. . . A bump-and-run
specialist he recorded 39 interceptions for 572 yards and 4 TDs during 10-year
career. . . Career interception total is team high, tied with Hall of Famer
Willie Brown. . . At retirement, career interception yardage third best in club
history. . .Four career TDs tied him for club record at retirement . . . Five
time Pro Bowl selection (1981-1985), had finest statistical season in 1980 with
13 interceptions. . . Had an additional four picks nullified by penalties. . .
Had five interceptions in four 1980 playoff games and was named NFL Defensive
Player of the Year. . . Recorded eight interceptions in 13 post-season games,
2nd in NFL history. . . Scored two touchdowns on interceptions in post-season,
second most in NFL history. . . Born January 22, 1955 in Houston, Texas.
Marv
Levy
Coach. . . Coe
College, Harvard. . . 1978-1982 Kansas City Chiefs, 1986-1997 Buffalo Bills. . .
17 seasons, 255 games. . . Regular season record: 143-112-0. . . Postseason
record: 11-8-0. . . Overall record: 154-120-0. . . Ranked 10th in NFL history at
the time of his retirement. . . Under Levy, Chiefs improved each season from a
4-12 in 1978 to 9-7 in 1981. . . Left Chiefs following 3-6 strike-shortened
season, 1982. . . Set a new standard for NFL head coaches when he took Bills to
four consecutive Super Bowls. . . Guided Bills to playoffs in eight of 11
seasons. . . Ranked fifth in postseason victories among all-time NFL head
coaches with 100-plus wins. . . Posted back-to-back 13-3 records with the Bills,
1990, 1991. . . NFL Coach of the Year 1988. . . AFC Coach of the Year 1988,
1993, 1995. . . .Began pro coaching career as kicking coach for the Eagles,
1969. . . Rams special teams coach, 1970. . . Redskins special teams coach,
1971-1972. . . Head coach, Montreal Alouettes (CFL), 1973-1977. . . Head coach,
Chicago Blitz (USFL), 1984. . . Director of football operations, Montreal
Alouettes (CFL), 1985. . . Born August 3, 1925, in Chicago, Illinois.
Art
Monk
Wide Receiver. .
. 6-3, 210. . . Syracuse. . . 1980-1993 Washington Redskins, 1994 New York Jets,
1995 Philadelphia Eagles. . . 16 seasons, 224 games. . . Selected by Washington
in the 1st round (18th player overall) of the 1980 NFL Draft. . . Prototype for
today's bigger, stronger receivers. . . Caught 58 passes as a rookie and was
unanimous All-Rookie choice. . . Had 50 or more receptions in a season nine
times. . . Gained 1,000 or more receiving yards in a season five times. . . Set
then-NFL records for catches in a season (106), most consecutive games with at
least one reception (183), and career receptions (820). . . Finished career with
940 catches. . . Had finest season in 1984, catching eight or more passes in six
games, five games of 100-plus receiving yards, and in one game caught 10 passes
for 200 yards. . . Named Redskins 1984 Most Valuable Player. . . First Redskin
to produce three consecutive 1,000 receiving yard seasons. . . A three-time Pro
Bowl selection, was All-Pro choice in 1984 and 1985. . . First- or second-team
All-NFC three times. . . Born December 5, 1957 in White Plains, New York.
Mike Munchak
Guard. . .6-3,
281. . .Penn State. . .1982-1993 Houston Oilers. . .12 seasons, 159 games. .
.Selected by Houston in the 1st round (8th player overall) of 1982 NFL Draft. .
.Former Penn State standout was the first offensive lineman taken in the draft.
. .Earned starting left guard spot as a rookie. . .Devastating blocker, Munchak
was key to an offensive line that kept the Oilers at or near the top of NFL's
offensive statistical categories. . .Behind Munchak-led line, Oilers led NFL in
total offense in 1990 and passing offense in 1990 and 1991. . .Team finished
second in points scored in 1990 and total offense in 1991. . .Equally effective
as pass or run blocker, team finished 4th in NFL in 1993 in both average gain
per rushing play (4.4) and average gain per offensive play (5.3). . .In 1988,
Munchak led line that gave up just 24 quarterback sacks, third best in NFL. .
.Following season, offensive line held opponents to no sacks allowed six times.
. .Named All-Pro four times, All-AFC seven times and selected to play in nine
Pro Bowls. . .Born March 5, 1960 in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Bill
Parcells
Coach. . .
Colgate, Wichita State. . . 1983-1990 New York Giants, 1993-1996 New England
Patriots, 1997-1999 New York Jets. . .15 seasons, 239 games. . . Regular season
record: 138-100-1. . . Postseason record: 11-6. . . Overall record: 149-106-1. .
. Parcells reversed the fortunes of three NFL teams. . . After a 3-12-1 season
(1983), he took Giants to playoffs twice as Wild Card. . . In 1986 led Giants to
14-2 record and defeated Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI. . .Led Giants to NFC
Eastern Division title in 1989. . . In 1990 won second world championship with
dramatic victory over Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXV. . . Left coaching for two
years, returning in 1993 with New England Patriots. . . Within two years led
Patriots to playoffs after eight-year absence. . . Two years later, 11-5
Patriots were AFC representative in Super Bowl XXXI. . . In 1997 took over 1-15
New York Jets and led them to 9-7 record in 1997, 12-4 record and AFC
Championship Game in 1998 for the best two-year turnaround of a 1-15 team in NFL
history. . . NFL Coach of the Year 1986, 1994. . . Born August 22, 1941 in
Englewood, New Jersey.
Jackie
Slater
Tackle. . . 6-4,
277. . . Jackson State. . . 1976-1995 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams. . . 20 playing
seasons, 259 games
. . . Selected in 3rd round (86th player overall) of 1976 NFL Draft. . . Retired
tied for third for most seasons played in NFL history. . . His 259
regular-season games played was most by offensive lineman at the time of his
retirement
. . . Mainstay of Rams' offensive line, was first- or second-team All-Pro
choice five seasons and first- or second-team All-NFC choice seven times. . .
Known for work ethic and leadership skills, earned seven Pro Bowl berths (1984,
1986-1991). . . A powerful drive blocker, 24 different quarterbacks and 37
different running backs played behind Slater during career. . . Blocked for
seven different 1,000-yard rushers. . . Played in 107 games in which runner
gained 100-plus yards. . . Twenty-seven times Rams' quarterbacks passed for
300-plus yards in a game with Slater as blocker. . . In 1983, Rams offensive
line allowed league-low 23 sacks while Eric Dickerson also rushed for rookie
record 1,808 yards. . . .Veteran of 18 playoff games, was USA Today Lineman
of the Year three times. . . Born May 27, 1954 in Jackson, Mississippi.
John
Stallworth
Wide Receiver. .
.6-2, 191. . .Alabama A&M. . .1974-1987 Pittsburgh Steelers. . .14 seasons,
165 games. . .Fourth-round pick (82nd player overall) of 1974 draft. . .Two-time
all-conference at Alabama A&M. . .Played in 1974 Senior Bowl. . . Career
statistics: 537 receptions for 8,723 yards, 63 TDs. . .64th touchdown scored on
47-yard lateral. . .Played in six AFC championship games, four Super Bowls. .
.Scored winning TD on 73-yard reception, Super Bowl XIV. . .Holds Super Bowl
records for career average per catch (24.4 yards), single game average (40.33)
in Super Bowl XIV. . .Had 12 TD receptions, 17 straight games with reception in
post-season play. . .All-Pro, 1979. . .All-AFC, 1979, 1984. . .Played in four
Pro Bowl games. . .Two-time Steeler MVP. . .Had 67-game pass-receiving streak,
1977-1982. . .At time of retirement, held Steelers' team records for career,
single-season receptions, career reception yardage. . .Second to Franco Harrris
in total TDs scored. . . Led AFC in receiving yardage, 1984. . .NFL Comeback
Player of the Year, 1984. . .Battled variety of fibula, foot, ankle, knee,
hamstring injuries throughout career. . .Born July, 15, 1952, in Tuscaloosa,
Alabama.
Lynn
Swann
Wide Receiver. .
. 5-11, 180. . .Southern California. . .1974-1982 Pittsburgh Steelers. . .Nine
seasons, 115 games. . .All-America at USC. . .No. 1 draft pick (21st overall),
1974. . .Used primarily on punt returns as rookie. . .Saw limited action as wide
receiver in late-season and his TD catch against Oakland in AFC championship
proved to be game-winner. . . Became a regular wide receiver his second season
and responded with 49 catches for 781 yards and league-high 11 touchdowns. .
.Finished season by winning MVP honors in Super Bowl X with superlative 161
yards gained on four receptions. . . Included was a 64-yard game-winning catch.
. .Career record: 336 receptions for 5,462 yards, 51 touchdowns. . . 364 career
reception yards ranked first in Super Bowl record book when he retired. . .Had
41 punt returns for 577 yards, one touchdown and 14.1-yard average as rookie. .
. Scored 318 points on 53 touchdowns. . . All-Pro, 1975, 1977, 1978, All-AFC
three times. . .In three Pro Bowls. . . Born March 7, 1952, in Alcoa, Tennessee.
Ralph
Wilson, Jr.
Contributor. . .
Virginia, Michigan. . . 1959-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 XXV, XXVI, XXVII, and XXVIII. . . 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. . . Born October 17, 1918 in
Columbus, Ohio.
Ron
Yary
Tackle. . .6-5,
255. . . Cerritos Junior College, Southern California. . .1968-1981 Minnesota
Vikings, 1982 Los Angeles Rams. . .15 seasons, 207 games. . .Vikings used bonus
pick acquired in Fran Tarkenton trade with New York Giants to select Yary first
in 1968 draft . . .Two-year consensus All-America at USC. . .1967 winner of
Outland Trophy, Knute Rockne Award that goes to the nation's top college
lineman. . .Possessed speed, agility, intelligence, aggressiveness, hard-work
ethic. . .Durable, missed only two games with injuries (broken ankle, 1980). . .
Continued to play with broken foot same year. . .Military duty forced him to
miss first three games, 1969. . .Took over as regular right tackle in
mid-season, 1969. . . All-Pro, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976 . . . All-NFC
eight straight years, 1970-1977. . . Played in seven Pro Bowls, 1972-1978. . .
Starting right tackle in Super Bowls IV, VIII, IX, XI and 1969, 1973, 1974,
1976, 1977 NFL/NFC championships. . . Traded to Rams for 10th-round draft pick,
1982. . . Played eight games in final season with Rams. . . Born July 16, 1946,
in Chicago, Illinois.
Jack
Youngblood
Defensive End. .
.6-4, 247. . .Florida. . .1971-1984 Los Angeles Rams. . .14 seasons, 202 games.
. .All-America at Florida, 1970. . .20th player selected, first round, 1971
draft. . .Backed up superstar Deacon Jones at defensive left end as rookie,
became full-time regular in third season. . .Rugged, determined, durable. . .A
dominant defender, perennial Rams' sack leader. . .played 201 consecutive
games, a rams record. . .missed only one game in 14 years. . .rams defensive
captain. . .Had one sack, one forced fumble, one blocked PAT, touchdown
interception of 47 yards in 1975 playoff vs. St. Louis. . . Fractured left
fibula in 1979 first-round playoff game, was fitted with plastic brace, played
every defensive down in NFC title game, Super Bowl XIV. . . Played in five NFC
championship games. . .All-Pro in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979. . .All-NFC seven
times. . . Played in seven straight Pro Bowls, 1974-1980. . . Recovered 10
opponents' fumbles. . .Three-time winner of Dan Reeves Award presented to Rams'
MVP. . . Born January 26, 1950, in Jacksonville, Florida.
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