Randle In, Carter still waiting

[Scott M]

John Randle made the HOF today, Carter is still waiting.

Associated Press

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Here's how you stop Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith: Put them in the Hall of Fame and watch them break down and cry.

The men who tore apart NFL defenses couldn't handle the emotions Saturday when they were elected to the shrine along with five others.

"They told me, 'Don't cry,' " Rice said, his eyes wet with tears. "It meant the world to me, just like winning a Super Bowl. On draft day, I didn't take that for granted. I didn't take this for granted."

He could have.

A nominee needs 80 percent approval from the 44 media members who vote and Rice and Smith were slam-dunks in their first year of eligibility. Vote totals aren't announced.

"I am just honored ... to stand up there with greatness," Rice added.

Smith teared up when speaking about his father and how "I was living his dream."

"We are blessed to achieve this level of greatness together," Smith said, referring to Rice.

They will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 7.

Rice and Smith each won three Super Bowls and was the MVP in one of those victories. Smith was the 1993 league MVP, as well.

Rice, the NFL's career receiving and touchdowns leader, and Smith, the top rusher, were joined in the Hall by John Randle, Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, Floyd Little and Richard LeBeau. Little and LeBeau were elected as senior committee nominees.

Rice, the perfect receiver for the West Coast offense, played 20 seasons for San Francisco, Oakland and Seattle. He made 1,549 catches for 22,895 yards, had 14 1,000-yard seasons and scored 208 touchdowns.

Smith, among the most durable running backs, rushed for 18,355 yards and 164 touchdowns for Dallas and Arizona.

"This is almost perfect," Smith said. "I don't think even Steven Spielberg could have written a script this nice. So many people said I could not do it. I believed in that little giant inside of me that said I can."

Added Rice, standing shoulder to shoulder with Smith: "It's just like playing in that big game, this is something you think about, and it is happening. I never thought I would go in .... with this guy here.

Steve Young, one of two Hall of Fame quarterbacks who threw to Rice, got the first hug from the new inductee, then said: "They made yards after the catch a stat because of Jerry Rice."

Two other all-time top receivers, Cris Carter and Tim Brown, weren't elected. Carter, in his third year of eligibility, stands third in career receptions with 1,101, while Brown, in his first year on the ballot, made 1,094.

Jackson, a do-everything linebacker with a great burst off the line, finished his 15-season career for New Orleans and San Francisco with 128 sacks. A six-time Pro Bowler, Jackson sparked the first turnaround by the Saints from Aints to contender, in the late 1980s. He helped the Saints to their first division title and playoff berth.

Now, a day before the Saints appear in their first Super Bowl against the Indianapolis Colts, Jackson is Canton-bound. One little glitch: He was introduced as Randy instead of Rickey.

Randle was that rare defensive tackle who was a premier pass rusher. An undrafted free agent out of Texas A&I, Randle had 137½ sacks for Minnesota and Seattle, tied for sixth overall and most for his position, and led the league with 15½ in 1997. He played in seven Pro Bowls.

Grimm, a member of the Washington Redskins' famed Hogs offensive line, won three Super Bowls. A guard, he made four Pro Bowls and was selected to the all-decade team of the 1980s.

The two senior committee inductees did not get enough support from the regular panel of media members when they were eligible.

LeBeau, the current defensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers, is considered one of pro football's great defensive innovators as a coach. But he was voted in for his outstanding work for the Lions from 1959-72. LeBeau finished with 62 interceptions, second among cornerbacks when he retired.

"They say anything worth having is worth waiting on," LeBeau said. "It has been a long wait. I can't imagine anything else that could be any more rewarding."

Little starred for the Denver Broncos in the AFL and NFL, leading the NFL in rushing in 1971 with 1,133 yards and in touchdowns rushing in 1973 with 12. He waited 30 years to get elected.

"My dad used to take me to games to watch Jerry play," Little joked, cracking up Rice.

"It's been a long journey. This is truly my dream. You can't explain the emotions of the way you feel at this moment."

[zamboni]

I always wished Randle never had left here. Always wanted him to stay and be a lifetime Viking.

[croixflats]

Well deserving players congrats to all.

Carter will get in, he just has to wade through the politics.

As for Rice and Smith I can not think of any 2 players so deserving of going in on first year of eligibility.

[croixflats]

I always wished Randle never had left here. Always wanted him to stay and be a lifetime Viking.

Yep. He was fun to watch and what awesome character he was and still is. Thank you Mr.Randle for you dedication and play.

[zamboni]

I used to go to camp in Mankato every summer when I was in high school and back then (early 90s) the players were alot easier to meet and John Randle was always the nicest guy by far out there.

[SledNeck]

The HOF is a joke. Carter should be a first ballot Hall of Famer.

[JBMasterAngler]

I liked randle too, and in his prime he was the best! But once he started going downhill, it went pretty fast. And he really wasn't all that good anymore, which is why he went to seattle.

Can't understand why carter didn't make it, he's pretty much the 2nd or 3rd best receiver of all time although if he acts in real life like he does on espn, I can totally understand why all the sports writers hate him and are sending him a message.

[zamboni]

Can't understand why carter didn't make it, he's pretty much the 2nd or 3rd best receiver of all time although if he acts in real life like he does on espn, I can totally understand why all the sports writers hate him and are sending him a message.

I would give him 3rd best. I think Moss is #2 right now with potential to be better than Rice.

[ThunderLund78]

I always wished Randle never had left here. Always wanted him to stay and be a lifetime Viking.

It's good to know, though, that John Randle considers Minnesota his home. After he retired he moved back and will go into the HOF as a Viking. I think he lives in Eden Prairie now. He's on KFAN sometimes.

[bucketmouth64]

I think Carter should have been in this group too. Always came thru with a big catch when needed. Great hands and body control. Sure he is opinionated (many players are), but I think his numbers speak for themselves.

[bassNspear]

The HOF is a joke. Carter should be a first ballot Hall of Famer.

[LMITOUT]

Carter is overrated...always has been.

Come to think about it, someone else playing today reminds me of Carter and that's the drunken hillbilly Jerry Allen. "look at me, I have a mullet and I put horns on the hood of my car". dum de dum, huh huh huh.

All hype.

Thankfully Carter didn't get in because it would just be diluting the HOF.

[james_walleye]

Carter is overrated...always has been.

Come to think about it, someone else playing today reminds me of Carter and that's the drunken hillbilly Jerry Allen. "look at me, I have a mullet and I put horns on the hood of my car". dum de dum, huh huh huh.

All hype.

Thankfully Carter didn't get in because it would just be diluting the HOF.

I don't think you can name to many edge pass rushers that demand more attention than Allen. How you can say "all hype"...lol...wait, i forgot who posted this hahaha.

[JBMasterAngler]

I'm not sure how a guy who is 2nd in pretty much every receiving category (unless marvin harrison passed him?) can be considered overrated Personality wise I think he's an @ss, but that shouldn't matter one bit.

[A R Johnson]

Carter should of been first ballot, it's all politics.

[bassNspear]

jarad allen will be in the hof, the guy is s stud, and if he stays healthy, might be one of the best, if not the best, d lineman in the history of football!

[LMITOUT]

[KMR85]

Come to think about it, someone else playing today reminds me of Carter and that's the drunken hillbilly Jerry Allen. "look at me, I have a mullet and I put horns on the hood of my car". dum de dum, huh huh huh.

All hype.

Wow, the guy hasn't been in trouble since joining the Vikings yet you bring up his past. You have a very bad attitude toward everything that has to do with MN. Why is that? You live here, but all you do is bad mouth everything MN (the sports teams, the people, taxes, etc, etc). Where in Hutch do you live? I'd like to stop by next time I visit my parents. Speaking of hillbilly, don't you like NASCAR? That's as hillbilly as it gets.

[LMITOUT]

Just callin' it like I see it.

[zamboni]

Wow, the guy hasn't been in trouble since joining the Vikings yet you bring up his past. You have a very bad attitude toward everything that has to do with MN. Why is that? You live here, but all you do is bad mouth everything MN (the sports teams, the people, taxes, etc, etc). Where in Hutch do you live? I'd like to stop by next time I visit my parents. Speaking of hillbilly, don't you like NASCAR? That's as hillbilly as it gets.

I think Limit would be happier in Green Bay.

[pinkfloyd4ever]

Happy for Randle too, guy was my fav in the 90s, got his 93 jersey and all. K Williams lives up to carrying on that number at least. Loved the days of Johnny on all 4s barking like a dog, yelling QB names from the sidelines CHARRLIEEE (batch) LOL. Randle always seemed like a clean guy too, never made the police blotter or anything did he?

CC- should be HOF, to me it shows there is some politics out there and seems like he does involve himself with the new WRs out there, maybe that is just to keep his name out there, but Rice does the same. I don't remember, but was Irvin a first ballot? If so, CC should be too.

[croixflats]

Irvine was second or third? retired in 1999 got in 2007. Probably would have been 1st round if it wasnt for the coke thing. Yep politics for sure, CC straight as an arrow and continued helping with the league. Irvine ends his career with controversy.