Sunday, February 03, 2002
Five named to Hall
Kelly first of '83 QB class to hit Hall of Fame
The Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS — Jim Kelly, who led the Buffalo Bills to four straight Super Bowl appearances — losing all of them — and Pittsburgh Steelers star John Stallworth were elected Saturday to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Joining them in the class of 2002 will be the late George Allen, Dave Casper and Dan Hampton. Induction ceremonies will be Aug.3 in Canton, Ohio.
Kelly is the first member of the vaunted class of '83 quarterbacks group to make the Hall. He began his career in the USFL, then moved to the Bills in 1986, guiding them to the AFC championship from 1990-93.
The Bills lost in each of those Super Bowls, but Kelly became the fourth quarterback to reach 30,000 yards passing for his career.
“Wow!” said Kelly. “I don't think I've ever been as nervous in my life.”
Stallworth played on the powerhouse Steelers of the 1970s who were more known for their defense. His partner at wide receiver, Lynn Swann, made the Hall last year.
Stallworth scored the winning touchdown 73-yard reception in the 1980 Super Bowl. He holds Super Bowl records for career average per catch (24.4 yards) and single game average (40.33 in 1980).
Allen coached the Los Angeles Rams from 1966-70 and the Washington Redskins from 1971-77 and had a regular-season record of 116-47-5. He never had a losing season in 12 years as and NFL head coach.
Casper played from 1974-1980 with the Raiders, from 1980-1983 with the Oilers, then spent a season with the Vikings and a final year back with the Raiders in 1984. Considered one of the best all-around tight ends in the game, Casper was a four-time All-Pro who played in five Pro Bowls.
Hampton, part of the fearsome defense that carried the Chicago Bears to the 1985 NFL title, played both end and tackle from 1979-90. The fourth overall pick in the 1979 draft, he fought off injuries throughout his career to rank among the most dangerous pass rushers and run stoppers in the league.
Two candidates who made the final list but who were not elected to the Hall of Fame were Bill Parcells and Bob Kuechenberg. Ravens owner Art Modell failed to make the cut from the original 14 nominees to 11.
RUSSELL JAILED:
Raiders defensive tackle Darrell Russell remained in a California jail on $1.2million bail Saturday, a day after he was arrested with two other men on suspicion of drugging and sexually assaulting a woman.
Russell will face seven counts of rape, Alameda Police Lt. Jim Brock said. The player is scheduled to appear in court Monday.
Russell already is serving a one-year NFL suspension after testing positive for the drug Ecstasy.
LAST GAME:
The Fox network recently decided not to bring Pat Summerall back as its lead play-by-play voice for next season and the 40-year broadcast veteran, not yet ready to accept a more limited role, has decided to explore other broadcasting opportunities. That means today's Super Bowl will be the finale to Summerall and John Madden's 21 seasons together on both Fox and CBS.
“It's going to be difficult,” said the 71-year-old Summerall. “I know that, but I'll do the best I can and try not to spoil the fact that the game is the thing. I know we don't have anything planned.”
FALCONS:
NFL owners unanimously approved the sale of the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday to Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank, who immediately announced that Dan Reeves would remain as coach.
Blank needed 24 votes to make the purchase official.
Blank, who is paying $545 million for the Falcons, said Reeves' contract would be extended by three years. Reeves, also an executive vice president, will see his focus shift more to coaching. Blank said, while he and Reeves will recruit a new general manager for the team.
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Five named to Hall