The Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony took place today, with six people being inducted in Canton as the class of 2009. Receiver Bob Hayes, offensive lineman Randall McDaniel, defensive end Bruce Smith, linebacker Derrick Thomas, defensive back Rod Woodson, and owner Ralph Wilson were the six inducted into the Hall of Fame. Hayes, who used to be a receiver for the Dallas Cowboys, and Thomas, who was a linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs, were posthumously honored. Thomas died in the middle of his career in 2000 and Hayes died in 2002.
Thomas, Smith and Woodson are three players I remember from my young days watching football. I certainly agree with Smith and Woodson being inducted because they had long careers and both of them certainly dominated defensively. Smith has 200 career sacks, which is the all-time career sacks record. Woodson has returned 12 interceptions for touchdowns in his career, the all-time record as well. Woodson helped every team he played on and helped the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and Oakland Raiders to Super Bowl appearances. He came out victorious with the Ravens while losing with the Steelers and Raiders.
Thomas, on the other hand, did not merit being in the Hall of Fame, in my opinion. Thomas was a very explosive linebacker. Thomas was part of the good Chiefs teams in the 1990s that was always making playoff appearances. However, his career only lasted 11 years, which isn't much for me as a defensive player. He was also a pass-rushing threat at that position. He holds the record for most sacks in a single game with seven, but that's pretty much all he did. I look for being a run stopper and being able to make tackles and pursue offensive players in the open. He didn't necessarily do that to a high degree.
