The National Football League has announced this year's inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. As VOA's David Byrd reports, the six inductees include two offensive linemen, a tight end, a running back, a wide receiver and a defensive back.
Michael Irvin of the Dallas Cowboys and Thurman Thomas of the Buffalo Bills lead this year's class. Irvin won three Super Bowl titles, while Thomas appeared in four championship games but never took home the title.
Irvin, who had 750 receptions for more than 11,000 career yards, says being inducted at this year's Super Bowl near his home in Miami is better than he could have imagined.
"This is better," said Michael Irvin. "This is home and my mom is here. So I got it all. So I thank you for that and I thank you that the whole process is over."
Thomas, who rushed for more than 12,000 yards in his career, says this is his way of thanking the Buffalo fans.
"We did not win a Super Bowl, but this is my Super Bowl gift to the Bills fans, for making it to the class of 2007 in the Pro Football Hall of Fame," said Thurman Thomas. "Because without the fans, cheering us on and cheering me on, this would not have been possible."
In addition to Thomas and Irvin, Detroit Lions tight end Charlie Sanders, St. Louis Cardinals cornerback Roger Wehrli, and offensive linemen Bruce Matthews and Gene Hickerson were also chosen. All six will be officially enshrined in the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio in August.
