NFL Names Hall Of Fame Class Of 2012
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The Hall in Canton will grow six stronger. (Wikimedia Commons)
Butler, 84, was named a finalist in August by Pro Football Hall of Fame's Seniors Committee. He played nine seasons for the Steelers between 1951 and 1959. His 52 career interceptions were third all-time when he was forced to retire in 1959 due to a leg injury. He was named First-Team All-NFL in each of his last three seasons.
Dawson was unquestionably the best center of the 1990s. He made seven straight Pro Bowls and garned six straight First-Team All-Pro honors (1993-1998) during the decade. Dawson played a remarkable 170 consecutive games, the second-most in Steelers history, between 1989 and 1999.
Doleman is fourth on the NFL's all-time sack list with 150.5. He spent the majority of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, but had stints in Atlanta and San Francisco as well. Doleman made eight Pro Bowl appearances and was a two-time First-Team All-Pro. He compiled at least seven sacks in each of his last 13 pro seasons, including a 21-sack performance in 1989.
Kennedy was perhaps the league's most dominant defensive tackle in the 1990s. He made eight Pro Bowls along with three straight All-Pro selections (1992-1994). Along with John Randle, he was one of two DTs named to the first-team NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. Kennedy spent his whole career in Seattle, and was inducted into the Seahawks' Ring of Honor in 2006.
Martin finished his career fourth on the NFL's all-time rushing list. Though he led the NFL in rushing and was named First-Team All-Pro just once (in 2004), Martin was the picture of consistent running game. He missed just eight games in his 11 NFL seasons, and ran for over 1,000 yards in each of his first 10 seasons (1995-2004). After spending three seasons in New England, Martin played his last eight for the New York Jets.
Like Martin, Roaf makes the Hall in his first year of eligibility. He played 13 years in the league, split between the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs. The bruising lineman made the Pro Bowl in 11 of those 13 seasons, was named First-Team All-Pro six times, and made both the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team and the 2000s All-Decade Team.
The finalists who missed the cut were: head coach Bill Parcells, lineback Charles Haley, wide receivers Cris Carter and Andre Reed, defensive back Aeneas Williams, and offensive guard Dick Stanfel (a Veterans' Committee finalist).
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