White’s Legacy Lives On at Canton

The glory of the newest Hall of Famers’ achievements was punctuated by a steady stream of tears and a singular chant:

“Reg-gie, Reg-gie.”

Although a fair share of the crowd sported No. 8 jerseys in tribute to Troy Aikman, their passion Saturday was reserved for the late Reggie White.

The two joined Warren Moon, John Madden, Rayfield Wright and Harry Carson as the newest inductees in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Nearly all of them choked up or cried during the four-hour ceremony, even the usually unflappable Aikman. Most poignant was the way White, also an ordained preacher who died in December 2004, was honored.

His son, Jeremy, was White’s presenter, and his widow, Sara, made the acceptance speech. Both crying, they shared a long hug after unveiling Reggie’s bust before a rapt audience.

Said Aikman, a former UCLA quarterback: “I too am saddened by the absence of Reggie White, a great player and a man who left us too soon.”

It took nearly a quarter century for Madden to make it to the Canton shrine. He was introduced by Raiders owner Al Davis.

Davis, who entered the Hall of Fame in 1992, used a walker to support himself as he ran through the litany of Silver and Black honorees in Canton.

“Nine Raiders legends -- nine -- are in this Hall,” he said, rattling off Jim Otto, George Blanda, Willie Brown, Fred Biletnikoff, Gene Upshaw, Art Shell, Ted Hendricks and Dave Casper. Davis is the other, of course.

“It’s a great inspiration for me to come to this Field of Dreams every year.”

Davis emphasized Madden’s 36-16-2 record against Hall of Fame coaches.

“John coached in the golden era of great coaches. In his 10 years, John coached against many who are enshrined in this Hall of Fame: Don Shula of Miami, Chuck Noll of Pittsburgh, Tom Landry of Dallas. Weeb Ewbank, Sid Gillman, Hank Stram, Bud Grant and others.”

Madden was 32 when Davis hired him, and he left after a decade, went into TV commentating and has become a broadcasting icon. He has always remained loyal to Davis

Carson became the first inside linebacker from a 3-4 defense to make it to Canton. It was a long-awaited honor -- he retired in 1988 after 13 seasons, nine Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl title with the New York Giants -- that Carson recently had given up on.

Two years ago, after making the final 15 candidates for the sixth consecutive year but not being elected by a panel of sportswriters, Carson asked to have his name withdrawn from consideration.

Carson gave his presenter, son Donald, a long hug before addressing the crowd. Donald Carson suffers from a rare blood disorder.

“This isn’t about me, this is about my family,” Carson said. “I am so thankful my son presented me this afternoon; he is definitely a man. He’s been through so much in the last seven months, more than I could ever have gone through. I never knew needles could be so long.”

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Class of 2006

A look at the six inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at Canton, Ohio:

TROY AIKMAN

* Position: Quarterback.

* Height, weight: 6-4, 219.

* NFL team: 1989-2000, Dallas Cowboys (12 seasons, 165 games).

Career highlights:

* Cowboys’ first-round pick (No. 1 overall) in 1989 draft.

* Led the Cowboys to three Super Bowl victories and was MVP in 1993.

* Closed career with 94 regular-season wins, including 90 in 1990s, making him winningest starting quarterback of any decade.

* Held or tied 47 Dallas passing records, including career attempts (4,715), completions (2,898), passing yards (32,942), touchdowns (165) and completion percentage (61.5).

* Led Cowboys from behind 16 times in fourth quarter, including six times in final two minutes.

* His four 300-yard playoff passing days were third best in NFL history.

* Picked for six Pro Bowls.

**

HARRY CARSON

* Position: Linebacker.

* Height, weight: 6-2, 237.

* NFL team: 1976-88, New York Giants (13 seasons, 173 games).

Career highlights:

* Giants’ fourth-round pick in 1976 draft.

* Became starting middle linebacker halfway through rookie season.

* Led Giants defenders in tackles five seasons.

* Had career-high performance in 1982 vs. Green Bay with 20 solo tackles and five assists.

* Ferocious run stopper whose 14 career fumble recoveries rank second in team record book.

* Made 11 career interceptions.

* A big-play performer, his interception and 12 tackles vs. Redskins in 1986 virtually assured Giants of NFC East title.

* Made key goal-line stand play in 1987 Super Bowl against Broncos.

* Selected to play in nine Pro Bowls, including seven straight (1982-1988).

**

JOHN MADDEN

* Position: Head coach.

* NFL team: 1969-1978, Oakland Raiders.

* Regular-season record: 103-32-7 (playoff record: 9-7).

Coaching highlights:

* Led Raiders to victory in the 1977 Super Bowl.

* Began pro coaching career as Raiders assistant, 1967-1968.

* Became one of youngest head coaches in history when Raiders hired him in 1969 at age 32.

* His .759 winning percentage during regular season ranks as highest ever among coaches with 100 career victories.

* Only Hall of Famers George Halas and Curly Lambeau reached 100 career wins at earlier age.

* Under Madden, Oakland never had losing record and claimed seven division titles and had eight playoff appearances.

**

WARREN MOON

* Position: Quarterback.

* Height, weight: 6-3, 212.

* NFL teams: 1984-1993 Houston Oilers; 1994-1996 Minnesota Vikings; 1997-1998 Seattle Seahawks; 1999-2000 Kansas City Chiefs (17 seasons, 208 games).

Career highlights:

* Began pro career with CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos (1978-1983), winning five consecutive Grey Cups.

* Signed with the Oilers as unrestricted free agent in 1984.

* In NFL career, completed 3,988 of 6,823 passes for 49,325 yards, 291 touchdowns, 233 interceptions.

* Rushed 543 times for 1,736 yards for 22 TDs, giving him 51,061 yards of total offense.

* At retirement, pass attempts, completions, yardage totals and total offense totals all ranked third all-time and 291 career touchdown passes were fourth. Holds record for quarterbacks with eight consecutive Pro Bowl selections 1988-1995, added ninth in 1997.

**

REGGIE WHITE

* Position: Defensive end, defensive tackle.

* Height, weight: 6-5, 291.

* NFL teams: 1985-1992 Philadelphia Eagles; 1993-1998 Green Bay Packers; 2000 Carolina Panthers (15 seasons, 232 games).

* Died Dec. 26, 2004 at age 43.

Career highlights:

* Selected in the first round (fourth player overall) of 1984 supplemental draft.

* Nicknamed “Minister of Defense,” joined Eagles after two years with USFL’s Memphis Showboats.

* During eight seasons with Eagles, recorded more sacks (124) than games played (121).

* In 1987, recorded 21 sacks, second most in NFL history at the time.

* Became only player to accumulate 20 or more sacks in only 12 games.

* His 1.75 average sacks per game in that season was also a record.

* In 1993, went to Green Bay and had another 68.5 sacks, becoming Packers’ all-time sack leader.

* Chosen the NFL defensive player of the year in 1987 and 1998.

* Elected to 13 consecutive Pro Bowls and picked All-Pro 13 of 15 seasons, including 10 as first-team selection.

**

RAYFIELD WRIGHT

* Position: Offensive tackle.

* Height, weight: 6-6, 255.

* NFL team: 1967-1979, Dallas Cowboys (13 seasons, 166 games).

Career highlights:

* Selected by Cowboys in seventh round of 1967 draft.

* Used as a tight end, defensive end and offensive tackle during first three seasons. In 1969, replaced injured right tackle Ralph Neely in lineup.

* First opponent was Hall of Fame defensive end Deacon Jones. The performance against Jones was good enough that before 1970 training camp, he became starting right tackle. One season later, he was All-NFL.

* Known as “Big Cat,” picked for Pro Bowl six consecutive times (1971-1976).

Source: Pro Football Hall of Fame