Smith, Wilson elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame
by Brian Galliford on Jan 31, 2009 2:55 PM EST
in News
56 comments
DE Bruce Smith, owner Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.
Photos courtesy Tom Wolf
Former Buffalo Bills defensive end Bruce Smith was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, and he'll be joined by long-time Bills owner Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. The pair of Bills headline a 2009 Hall of Fame class which includes former Steelers DB Rod Woodson, former Vikings OL Randall McDaniel, the late Derrick Thomas, a former Chiefs linebacker, and former Cowboys WR Bob Hayes.
In what is sure to be an unforgettable weekend for Bills fans this coming August, the current Bills will participate in the 2009 Hall of Fame Game against the Tennessee Titans. The first pre-season game of the 2009 NFL season will take place a day after Smith and Wilson are inducted at Canton, Ohio.
Congratulations to Bruce and Ralph!
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Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad
Glad for Ralph Wilson and Bruce Smith, and feel bad for Andre Reed. Hope they don’t forget about Andre in future voting. It’s an especially-nice honor for Ralph considering his age and how he’s been the only owner the team has ever had. Boy, with two Buffalo Bills added at one time, Canton ought to be rocking with local fans this summer.
by ccthemovieman on Jan 31, 2009 3:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I think that was the final consideration for Andre,
wasn’t it?
The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ
by NYTXFAN on Jan 31, 2009 6:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
never mind,
I read that wrong.
The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ
by NYTXFAN on Jan 31, 2009 6:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I am glad for both of them.
Despite the recent ebb and flow away from Wilson in this community, he surely deserves it for all the reasons I said in my earlier posts. I’m pretty excited to read Peter King’s column about it. I’ll throw up a link later.
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
by MattRichWarren on Jan 31, 2009 3:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
BTW, one thing that doesn't bode well for Reed....
Cris Carter was not elected this year guys. That’s not a good sign for Reed whose stats aren’t as good as Carter’s. I was hoping Carter would get in this year to clear up the logjam.
Also surprised Shannon Sharpe didn’t make it either.
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
by MattRichWarren on Jan 31, 2009 3:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Reed is running out of time
Because they’d definitely put Carter over him, plus guys like Jerry Rice and Tim Brown are eligible next year I believe.
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by MrNFL on Jan 31, 2009 5:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Generally guys who become finalists eventually make it.
but still, it doesn’t look good for him in the near future.
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
by MattRichWarren on Jan 31, 2009 5:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Congrats to them
Really happy for them, 2 Bills at one time is really an honor. I hope it inspire the franchise to turnaround and be back to winner history!
by hightower_mc on Jan 31, 2009 3:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Congrats to Bruce and.....well....that other guy who made it from the Bills......
maybe now he’ll pull his head out of his wrinkly keister and field a winning team……..starting with a winning leadership…….
12/19/08 - Thank you KLJ for coming into my life.
by norcaliangelsfan on Jan 31, 2009 3:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
careful there cali...
you’re talking about a Hall of Fame owner….
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
by MattRichWarren on Jan 31, 2009 3:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah an owner of a team who hasnt won a playoff game since he was in his 70's...........
12/19/08 - Thank you KLJ for coming into my life.
by norcaliangelsfan on Jan 31, 2009 3:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Here the official link from nfl.com
http://www.profootballhof.com/enshrinement/story.jsp?story_id=3095
Bios of everyone elected and information for tickets, etc.
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
by MattRichWarren on Jan 31, 2009 3:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Very happy for them both
Though who even thought Bruce wouldn’t get in as soon as he was eligible? I’m convinced he could suit up today and provide a much better rush than Kelsay/Denney.
I’m glad they put Wilson in this year. He deserves the honor while still healthy enough to enjoy the weekend. I hope everyone is willing to forget the follies of recent memory for one day.
Reed can’t be bitter. Afterall, Carter didn’t get in this year either.
"Buffalo Bills Football 2009 (sponsored by Labatt): A Future as Uncertain as the Beer You’re Drinking"
"It's not delivery, it's DiGiorgio!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 31, 2009 3:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
What am I missing here?
Andre Reed:
951 catches
13,198 yards receving,
500 yards rushing
87 TDs
Bob Hayes
371 catches
7.414 yards
71 TDs
Yds rushing 68
kickoff/punt return yardage: 1,739
Bob Hayes elected today to Hall Of Fame; Reed passed up.
by ccthemovieman on Jan 31, 2009 3:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
two different eras, two different styles of wide receivers. i’d argue that hayes was just as important to his team than reed was to the bills, and hayes has been waiting A LOT longer than Reed has been.
My money is on both Reed and Carter getting in next year
by CanadianBillsFan on Jan 31, 2009 4:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
very rarely do you see two guys from the same position get elected at the same time
12/19/08 - Thank you KLJ for coming into my life.
by norcaliangelsfan on Jan 31, 2009 4:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Except for last year when two CBs made it. And the year before when two guards made it. And the year before that when two QBs made it. And the year before that when three QBs made it.
by twoeightnine on Jan 31, 2009 4:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
THANK YOU!
See, both Carter and Reed are in next year, just about the only thing that could stop them is Jerry Rice (keep in mind i have no idea when he’s elligeble for the HOF)
by CanadianBillsFan on Jan 31, 2009 5:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
well i stand corrected...
thought I read somewhere one time that voters dont like to elect people from the same position each year……….
12/19/08 - Thank you KLJ for coming into my life.
by norcaliangelsfan on Jan 31, 2009 6:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Bob Hayes was revolutionary at his position. Stats are not the only thing selectors take into consideration. If you’re not familiar with his game, check out some video. He was nothing short of amazing in his day.
Reed’s time will come, trust me.
Oh and I LOVE this quote from Wilson:
‘It will take a couple minutes to get over the shock … A pleasant shock," Wilson said. "The fans in Buffalo have been great even though we haven’t had much of a product lately & ever since this guy left us,’ he said, pointing to Smith.
See guys, even he knows we have major problems on the DL.
"Buffalo Bills Football 2009 (sponsored by Labatt): A Future as Uncertain as the Beer You’re Drinking"
"It's not delivery, it's DiGiorgio!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 31, 2009 4:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't count on it.
That’s not a remark about the line but the fact that the last time the Bills made the playoffs was 1999, Bruce’s last year as a Bill.
by twoeightnine on Jan 31, 2009 4:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
In my own world, I choose to look at it as a veiled comment about the horrible line play.
"Buffalo Bills Football 2009 (sponsored by Labatt): A Future as Uncertain as the Beer You’re Drinking"
"It's not delivery, it's DiGiorgio!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 31, 2009 7:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hayes was the senior committee nominee...
one of the two senior nominees get elected. It is separate but equal than the regular election
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
by MattRichWarren on Jan 31, 2009 4:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thank you.
That answers my question. It’s like the Veterans’ Committee on the Baseball Hall Of Fame.
by ccthemovieman on Jan 31, 2009 4:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
They all get voted on by the same electors at the same time in the NFL
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
by MattRichWarren on Jan 31, 2009 4:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
So glad for both these guys. Man I hope Bruce picks Marv Levy for his introduction. Love it when the Marv speaks.
Andre Reed, you’re up next!
by Kooz on Jan 31, 2009 5:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
supposedly he has it narrowed down to Levy and Ted Cottrell.
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
by MattRichWarren on Jan 31, 2009 5:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m glad for both Smith and Wilson. Smith was a terror of a DE and Wilson was opposed to the CBA clusterfunk currently threatening to turn the NFL into a permanent two tiered league.
by Ron From NM on Jan 31, 2009 5:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Oh, and wouldn’t it be nice to go back to the 80’s uni? Man, they are so much better looking to the ones now…
by Ron From NM on Jan 31, 2009 6:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I cannot stand the newest uniforms. The throwbacks, on the otherhand, are some of the nicest in the league, imo.
"Buffalo Bills Football 2009 (sponsored by Labatt): A Future as Uncertain as the Beer You’re Drinking"
"It's not delivery, it's DiGiorgio!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 31, 2009 7:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I've been sayin' that forever...
I despise these uniforms, although not nearly as much as I despised the Sabres’ switch to that red and black goat thing they had. At least they could say they had some success in those.
I’d be thrilled if Buffalo went with the throwbacks, or even the ones from the 80/90s, where they wore the “greatest color scheme in the history of the world,” according to ESPN’s Gregg Easterbrook.
If their marketing ploy for next year is to celebrate the teams 50th 49th year in the league, it makes sense to go old school.
by krytime on Jan 31, 2009 10:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
How can an American team go wrong with red, white and blue? That combination is way better than almost black, blue, red armpit stains and almost as much white on the helmet as on the rest of the (home) uniform.
by Ron From NM on Jan 31, 2009 10:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wilson DOES deserver to go in as MattRichWarren so eloquently put it several posts ago
Bruce, well, the NFL sack leader was never NOT going to go in on the first ballot. I notice theres no Baseball HOF voter BS here with idiots claiming there are no 1st Ballor HOFers like they pulled with Ricky Henderson, I hate how baseball does that. I like the fact that the NFL guys put ALOT of people in this year in an effort to clear up space for next years group as well.
Wilson is one of the few owners who I think was a must for Canton, all he did for the AFL, then the NFL after helping spearhead the merger was truly amazing. He has done a lot for the sport of football, and while it sometimes looks like he hasn’t put as much effort recently into the Bills, his love of this game we ALL love has never dimmed. I only hope I can get to 90 myself!
I told the witch doctor that I was in love with the Buffalo Bills, and instead of telling me to say "Oh eeh oh oh ah, ting tang walla walla wing bang" in order to make me feel better he told me to buy a gun and end it.
by WABillsfan on Jan 31, 2009 6:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Does anyone know of any Bruce Smith highlight videos on the web? I have had the hardest time finding anything.
by tony_flow on Jan 31, 2009 7:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
congrats
Bruce and woodson were locks in first try. I am glad Ralph got in. He has been far from perfect (if only he could have gotten along with polian or even butler/smith), but has always put the league ahead of the team, and the city ahead of the team. Unfortunately, that does leave the team last, but they still are in buffalo! hope that is the case in 5 years…
by sestak on Jan 31, 2009 7:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
tonight
when you are out and about…..take a moment and reflect on these two men. I could not be prouder to see Ralph Wilson get inducted while he is alive, well, and on the 50th year of the franchise. I truly was pumped up when I saw this announced live on nfl.com. I am so glad Ralph got in. We can bash the man all we want on any other day, but tonight just tip one back, and thank Ralph for 50 years of Bills football. Cuz regardless of how badly we think some things are, we have it pretty good
MARVelous
by MARVelous on Jan 31, 2009 7:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Thank You Ralph
Mr. Wilson is the reason why most of us cheer for Buffalo, he sould have been in 2 decades ago. One of the best/ smartest owners (yes he’s shrewed) in all major US sports. not too many people tell it “how it is.” And after watching the HOF conference today he still has it. I hope he gets a Super Bowl win before he takes off for another journey.
I’ll be there Aug 9 HOF game, Flight Booked . GO BILLS, today was a good day for Buffalo.
by pastj12345 on Jan 31, 2009 9:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Marv
If Marv introduces Bruce, Wilson or Reed (eventually) will he have the most intoductions for any individual for the HOF?
by pastj12345 on Jan 31, 2009 9:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
congrats
to both, and heres to andre reed next year.
Bills make me wanna SHOUT!
by silverstreak3k on Feb 1, 2009 1:03 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Excellent news
Bruce, no brainer. Nothing to add there really.
I’m pretty shocked that Ralph got picked though. Totally out of left field for me. Anyways, it is pretty deserved though after thinking about it. MRW had some great posts about the HOF credentials of these guys, so it’s tough to argue Ralph after reading that. It’d be nice if the team stepped up this year to really solidify it for Ralph. After all these years of ineptitude, it truly is surprising seeing the election.
I’m also pretty happy to see Derrick Thomas get in. That guy was so awesome. It’s too bad what happened to him. He was definitely a Hall of Fame player and it’s good to see that recognized.
Hope to see Andre make it in the coming years, though it’ll probably become pretty difficult for him….
August 9th, should be a nice day…..
~K
"I’m Kurupt with Buffalo Rumblings. I am worth hundreds!"
by Kurupt on Feb 1, 2009 3:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Bruce Yes, Ralph I certainly do not agree
I will probably be shot down for this but I will say it anyways…
The reason why I think Ralph should not be in is:
1) The Bills were mediocre from the mid sixties to 1990 when the went on their 4 Superbowls run.
2) Ralph Wilson was lucky when Terry Bledsoe had his Heart Attack and he temporarily gave Polian the GM role, which then became permanent. Yes he did recognize Polian’s immense talent. But he was doing it like he alsways has done, the cheap way by promoting a “un-proven” name. He got EXTREMELY lucky.
4) Polian is the only reason that Marv was hired. Marv gave him a chance as the lead scout for the Allouettes and they had a great relationship so Polian brough Marv in.
5) Polian is the reason we went 4 times to the Superbowl – nobody else. His eye for talent was incredible!!
6) Ralph was irresponsible to fire him, and we’ve went back to being the butt of the league ever since!
7) I read multiple articles over the years claiming that Ralph’s wife and daughter could not keep the team because of the tax burden when he passes away. If this indeed is the case then he is an absolute idiot not to have purchased the proper insurance when he was younger. I would again suspect that he was so cheap that he did not want to pay someone to advise him properly. Now the result is absolute and total uncertainty, which is really hurting this franchise because we must overpay to get quality players or staff.
8) We play in an old antiquated stadium that should have been upgraded. Any owner coming in now will need to address it. The problem is that most teams now get bought on large sums of credit, which means that building a new stadium besides will be tricky. Again he has left us in a pickle.
Ralph Wilson is no heroe, he is a cheap stubborn old man. He has profited well over the years from this team. He was lucky when his cheap ways (ie promoting Polian) got extremely good results. And he’s been extremely lucky to have such a great fan base that continues to support such a poorly managed team. There is no way this guys deserves to be in the HOF!
I hear a lot of people say that Ralph was a great owner because he kept the team in Buffalo but I think it’s more because he’s so cheap and adverse to taking any sort of financial risk that moving the team would have been way too risky.
3) MArv highly recommended hiring
Your ability to control the LOS is directly linked to your ability to win football games!
FEED the BEAST!
Section 336 Row 13
by keysh67 on Feb 1, 2009 1:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry disregard last line, forgot to eliminate it.
Your ability to control the LOS is directly linked to your ability to win football games!
FEED the BEAST!
Section 336 Row 13
by keysh67 on Feb 1, 2009 1:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think it has more to do with what he did in helping the league become what it is today.
~K
"I’m Kurupt with Buffalo Rumblings. I am worth hundreds!"
by Kurupt on Feb 1, 2009 1:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well written argument. I don’t think I can disagree in any way. I think it’s been a matter of longevity over anything else that got him into the HoF. Kinda sounds like a union, huh?
by thefourwinds on Feb 1, 2009 5:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
THere is no way in hell he was elected for longevity.
You guys are missing the entire point of why Wilson was elected to the Hall of Fame. You vote people into the Hall who changed the game and Wilson did that. Without him there is no merger, the Raiders would have folded and taken the AFL with it, and the TV deals of today would not have been possible. Ralph was on the front lines of every one of these negotiations. It has nothing to do with living a long time or fielding a winning team necessarily, although without some wins he wouldn’t have been inducted. The Steelers were a laughingstock for years in the NFL not winning anything and Rooney was inducted. We know them now as a model frnachise but until the 70s they hadn’t won anything. Wilson was also dead on about the current CBA when only one other owner in the entire league voted with him.
Calling him cheap or stupid is narrow-minded and wrong.
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
by MattRichWarren on Feb 2, 2009 10:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wilson was also dead on about the current CBA when only one other owner in the entire league voted with him.
Yeah, kudos to Ralph and all for his foresight on that topic, but I highly doubt that this was a contributing factor to his election to the Hall of Fame.
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by Brian Galliford on Feb 2, 2009 1:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Okay, maybe you're right.
But it may be what kept Paul Tagliabue out according to Peter King at Si.com….
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
by MattRichWarren on Feb 2, 2009 2:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, maybe this year… but it won’t be close to major enough to keep him out over the long haul.
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by Brian Galliford on Feb 2, 2009 2:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think so either...
but when the guy who presented him for enshrinement for three years says that the tide is truning away from Tags, it’s pretty telling.
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
by MattRichWarren on Feb 2, 2009 2:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I did not call him stupid.
Why would calling him cheap be narrow minded? A am calling a spade a spade!
He’s always went the cheap route for management personnel and the fact that he was extremely lucky with Polian doesn’t change that fact.
Your ability to control the LOS is directly linked to your ability to win football games!
FEED the BEAST!
Section 336 Row 13
by keysh67 on Feb 2, 2009 6:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You didn't call him stupid.
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
by MattRichWarren on Feb 3, 2009 10:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
moving to a major city is more risky than staying in a city that loses .05% of it’s work force every year, Right… Go cheer for another team.
by pastj12345 on Feb 1, 2009 10:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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