Smith leads Fame class

Woodson: First-year finalist

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First-year finalists Bruce Smith and Rod Woodson are amongst a six-man class to be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Joining the duo are two ex players to be enshrined post-humously in former Olympic gold medal sprinter and NFL receiver Bob Hayes and linebacker Derrick Thomas.

Guard Randall McDaniel was also included in the list from a group of 17 finalists along with Ralph Wilson, the 90-year-old owner of the Buffalo Bills.

The new members, who will be will be inducted in Canton, Ohio on August 8, will bring the total number of people in the Hall of Fame to 253.

Stellar class

An 11-time Pro Bowl selection, Smith helped the Buffalo Bills win the AFC Championship for four successive years in the early 1990s.

He recorded at least 10 sacks in 13 different seasons, finishing his career with the Washington Redskins before retiring in 2003 after a 19-year career.

Woodson is third on the all-time list of interceptions with 71 having played much of his 17 years in the NFL at cornerback before switching to free safety.

The 11-time Pro Bowler helped the Baltimore Ravens win the Super Bowl in 2000 having previously played for the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders.

A Hall of Fame finalist for the fourth straight year, Thomas built a reputation as one of the most feared pass rushers in the NFL during his career with the Kansas City Chiefs.

His career was cut short when he died in a car accident in January 2000, although he is still 11th all-time in the league with 126.5 sacks.

Olympic glory

Known as 'Bullet Bob', Hayes revolutionised the passing game having been a two-time gold-medal winner at the Olympic Games in 1964.

He joined the Dallas Cowboys the following year and scored 26 touchdowns in his first two seasons in the NFL.

McDaniel, who started 202 consecutive games, spent 12 of his 14 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and was selected to a record 12 consecutive Pro Bowls.

Bills owner Wilson has been with the franchise since it's inception in 1960. The Bills won championships in 1964 and 1965 in the American Football League.

"It's going to take a couple of minutes to get over this shock. It's just a tremendous honour," Wilson said.